Here are some interesting facts asked of Duncan Harris, owner and winemaker at Harris Organic Wine and Spirits, when interviewed.
What are 4 interesting facts that you would like people to know about your Swan Valley winery, Harris Organic Wine and Spirits
Some of the interesting facts about Harris Organic Wine are:
Harris Organic Wines is Perth’s only certified organic winery:
Harris Organic Wines is the only certified organic winery in Perth. The winery uses organic farming practices to produce its wines, which are free from synthetic chemicals and pesticides. This makes Harris Organic Wines an excellent choice for people who are looking for organic wines that are both tasty and sustainable.
The winery is family-owned and operated:
Harris Organic Wines is a family-owned and operated winery. The founder and owner, Duncan Harris, has been producing organic wines for over 20 years.
Harris Organic Wines is powered by renewable energy:
Harris Organic Wines is committed to sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. The winery is powered by renewable energy, using solar panels to generate electricity. This means that the winery has a minimal carbon footprint, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious wine lovers.
The winery produces a range of award-winning wines:
Harris Organic Wines has won numerous awards for its wines, including several gold medals at the prestigious Swan Valley Wine Show. The winery produces a range of red, white, and fortified wines, as well as a selection of organic brandies and Eau de vies. The winery’s signature wine is its Malbec, which has won awards for its rich flavour and smooth finish.
Other Claims:
- Claims to have the only certified organic liqueurs made from grapes in the world
- Is the only certified organic block of land in the Perth metropolitan area.
- Makes the only certified organic brandy in Australia
Which organic wine is your best seller?
Organic Rose’ wine and our dry white wine Verdelho are the best selling organic wines
Winemaker’s favourite organic wine you have on your current portfolio.
Our organic Malbec red wine, because it is a wonderful grape for the Swan Valley climate, the rich duplex soil we have and the elegance and richness the organic Malbec produces. Ask at the cellar door what is the best Malbec you have.
What do you feel sets you apart from all the other wineries in the region?
What sets you apart from all the other wineries in the Swan Valley wine region? Harris is certified organic because we believe in looking after the planet and being as sustainable as possible. We have lots of solar power which powers a MG4 EV and an electric lawnmower.
We use no herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilisers. Who wants to drink herbicide residue with your wine?
Do you have a resident “winery dog” and what’s their name?
The resident cat’s name is Rosie and our vicious dog whose name is Duggee. Rosie is 2011 vintage and young Duggee is 2019 vintage. They love visitors who don’t bring their four-legged friends. They are the boss at Harris Organic. Just ask the organic chickens!
What is your winery’s ‘birthday’?
Our Swan Valley wineries birthday is on the first of January. We were established in 1998 and our cellar door opened on the 1st of January 2000.
How old are your oldest organic vines and what variety are they?
The variety of the oldest vines at Harris Organic Wines is Verdelho, which is a white grape variety that is commonly grown in Portugal and is also popular in Australia. Verdelho is known for producing wines with a tropical fruit aroma and a crisp, acidic finish. It is a versatile grape that can be used to produce both dry and sweet wines, as well as fortified wines such as Madeira style dessert wine.
Where are your organic wines distributed?
Our organic wines are available through our Cellar door. Another is in Geraldton WA and organic wine online through our organic wine store website.
Which organic wine is your most awarded? Do you have any recent winery awards you would like to boast about?
We have many medals awarded over 20 years of wine shows. Gold medals have been awarded for our Shiraz liqueurs and vintage ports. We received a gold medal for the 2009 Liqueur Shiraz and a bronze medal 2018 Chenin Blanc from the 2019 Swan Valley Wine Show.
Is organic wine healthier than regular wine?
In essence, consuming fewer chemicals is beneficial for your well-being. However, the advantages of drinking organic wine extend beyond just that.
Organic wine is reputed for causing fewer headaches, partly because it lacks the chemical additives present in conventional wine. This means your body receives pure grape juice, free from the up to 70 additional ingredients found in conventional Australian wine, such as E220, additives, and grape juice concentrate (sugar).
While red wine is celebrated for its health-promoting properties, organic wine surpasses it in terms of health benefits. Why? Because the levels of resveratrol, a compound known for its health benefits found in standard red wines, are actually higher in organic wines.
Lastly, are there any special organic wine deals?
Are there any special organic wine deals? As we have special deals occasionally, it is always good to ask. Just ask at the cellar door. There is always a special at our cellar door in Perth’s Swan Valley Wine Region or join our wine club for discounted wine.
Duncan Harris – Bio
Duncan has been working in the Swan Valley wine industry for over 25 years. Firstly, he would help out on weekends at Riverbank winery, while looking for land to grow grapes in the Swan Valley.
In 1995 Duncan attended the Spring in the Valley festival and went to Baskerville Hall. He noted that the horse paddock opposite renowned John Kosovich wines (formerly Westfield) was an ideal place to grow excellent wine grapes.
A professional mechanical engineer, Duncan holds a great interest in electric cars and wind power. In 1989, Duncan attended a windpower conference in Houston Texas while visiting windpower sites in Europe, California and Hawaii.
October 1998 was the beginning of his winemaking journey. The Baskerville property was advertised in the Sunday Times newspaper.
So, 1999 was the first vintage at the new property. We made a Shiraz and a Chenin blanc with the assistance of David McNamara.
In 2007 Duncan used waste grapes to make the first organic brandy in Australia whilst building stills and self-teaching himself distilling. Later, he found out his great great grandfather was also a Sydney illegal distiller in 1805.
The 1921 edition of the Handbook of Horticulture and Viticulture was republished by Duncan in 2007.
Duncan continued to make top-quality organic wines as well as organic brandy, organic vodka and Pisco brandy.