Distinctly Different

The history of Howard Park wines is writ large across two of Australia’s most isolated and fascinating wine regions. Since 1986 we have had the privilege of sourcing impeccable fruit, and then developing and acquiring spectacular and historic vineyards in both Margaret River and the Great Southern.

Our Distinguished Sites range has been the perfect vehicle to celebrate how each region provides a singular and memorable expression of place, that can be clearly transmitted through the wines produced from well-located and sensitively farmed blocks of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Nearly 25 vintages of each of the Leston and Scotsdale wines has created a vinous library that speaks to provenance, persistence and personality, and allows wine lovers and collectors to experience the beauty of nuanced and thoughtful interpretation of terroir.

Discover the Range
Our Distinguished Sites range features four wines, two releases of Cabernet Sauvignon and two of Shiraz, with one each from Great Southern and Margaret River. The 1999 vintage marked the beginning of the collection:

Leston Cabernet Sauvignon is from Margaret River – a single vineyard expression from mature Cabernet blocks on the Leston vineyard, planted in 1996.
Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon is from Great Southern – sourced from the historic Abercrombie vineyard planted in 1975.
Leston Shiraz is from Margaret River – Shiraz from blocks 4 and 17 of the Leston vineyard, planted in 1996.
Scotsdale Shiraz is from Frankland River – a selection from fine vineyards in the heartland of West Australian Shiraz that highlights our connection with talented grape-growing families.

Experience the Difference
The Distinguished Sites range allows wine enthusiasts to deepen their understanding of how talented winemakers can interpret the key characteristics of a special vineyard to produce distinctly different wines from the same grape variety.

The experience of comparing the same vintages of the Leston and Scotsdale wines is of course supremely enjoyable, but can also be profoundly educational. The team at our Margaret River Cellar Door have witnessed many “light bulb” moments as visitors embrace the nuances imparted by the influence of maritime, Mediterranean or continental climates and the effect of limestone or granite on soil composition.

“As a winery with two homes – Margaret River and the Great Southern – we created the Distinguished Sites range to champion both these regions,” says Natalie Burch. “When the range was first released the wines were treated exactly the same way in the winery, with the same time in oak and the same fermentation method, in an attempt to highlight the regional differences.”

“Our current Chief Winemaker Nic Bowen has evolved this philosophy even further, helping us to understand that each Distinguished Site will require a thoughtful, individual application of technique to achieve its most accurate expression, and through this lens the power of place will shine even more clearly. Our goal as always is to make the very best wines possible, and those wines will reflect their origins in a striking and honest way.”

Image: Margaret River vs The Great Southern

The Heart of Our Vineyards

In Margaret River the Leston Vineyard is our own exceptional terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. The name of the vineyard is an homage to Leston Burch, the father of Jeff Burch, who helped establish the vines in 1996 and insisted that his favourite variety, Shiraz, would be established and nurtured alongside Cabernet, Margaret River’s historic champion. The vineyard is in the heart of Margaret River’s finest Cabernet country, and the Wilyabrup Brook meanders through the northern part of the property on its way to the Indian Ocean. On this site climate and soil converge in a perfect balance to create an idyll for Cabernet and Shiraz that is the envy of the wine world.

The Great Southern is a wild, remote and incredibly special place that challenges vines and growers alike to produce exceptional grapes. We are the custodians of an historic vineyard, Abercrombie, planted in 1975 to the now legendary Houghton clone of Cabernet Sauvignon and which after half a century is producing fruit with the unique character that can only come from roots that have been intertwined with weathered granite subsoils for decades Houghton Clone cuttings from this vineyard were used to develop the Margaret River blocks of Leston Cabernet Sauvignon, imprinting a connection between these two regions only accessible through Howard Park’s bottlings.

Our relationships with pioneer grape growers in Frankland River are longstanding ones and allow us access to Shiraz that offers a poignant contrast to our own holdings at Leston in Margaret River. This inland subregion of the Great Southern is a magnet for winemakers who revere the fruit that produces wines of mesmerising concentration and spellbinding structure.

Discover Your Favourite
We invite you to discover your own favourite Distinguished Sites wine. Enjoy and appreciate the differences in soil and climate between Margaret River and Great Southern, and how sensitive farming and winemaking unlocks distinct styles of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Distinguished Sites range captures vineyard personality, offering a chance to immerse yourself in the qualities of these celebrated regions. Enjoy the wines side by side for an insightful journey into Australian wine country. The wines, while enticing in youth are entirely capable of maturing into magnificent examples of terroir-winemaking over the next decade.

We asked a few of our team members which of the four wines was their favourite….and the results are in:

Jeff Burch, CEO: Leston Shiraz
“I have a soft spot for the Leston Shiraz because it brings back memories of my father. I love the wine immensely, and every time I have a glass, I think of him.”

Amy Burch, Founder and Director of Special Projects: Scotsdale Cabernet Sauvignon
“My favourite has always been the Scotsdale Cabernet. I find the tannins softer, more approachable, easier drinking. Some people like the tannin structure, as it denotes good cellaring. However, I have found that our Scotsdale Cabernet ages well and becomes even more elegant and velvety. It’s my sort of Cabernet.”

David Stredwick – Customer Relationship Manager: Scotsdale Shiraz
The first vintage of Scotsdale Shiraz I ever tried was the legendary 2008, and ever since I’ve been utterly awestruck by these compelling wines. Frankland River manages to conjure Shiraz with such a striking profile, concentrated yet supremely elegant, straightforwardly sumptuous, effortlessly long and immensely satisfying. These are the types of wines that have helped to inspire my passion for wine and foster my respect and admiration for those who care for great vineyards in remote locations.

Mark Bailey, Senior Wine Maker: Leston Cabernet Sauvignon
“We have a special connection with these vines, as they are adjacent to the winery and we often walk the rows. It feels natural to cheer for our home team! This is quintessential Margaret River Cabernet: medium weight, with perfumed, vibrant red and black fruits, cassis, bay leaf, olive, fine tannins, and savory complexity. Top-shelf Cabernet, offering excellent value”.

Gerome Vaughan: State Sales Manager: Scotsdale Cabernet
The Scotsdale Cabernet is epic for so many reasons. Cooler climate, Mt Barker, Houghton clone, 50 year old vines, planted in the Great Southern by the architect himself, Jack Mann. We could stop there but then there is the wine. It exhibits brilliant and abundant varietal character beyond its celebrated place. Layered and intricate with deep blue fruit character and a refined spice profile of liquorice, lavender, white pepper and ginger cinnamon cake. All this is backed up with its inviting and seamless tannin structure and length that simply keeps reminding you of how wonderful the wine is.

Richard Burch, Sales & Marketing Director: Leston Cabernet Sauvignon
I have had the pleasure of tasting and drinking these wines for over 20 years, it’s tough to pick a favourite but it’s probably the Leston Cabernet Sauvignon. Over the years I have changed favourites which used to be both Shiraz wines but as my palate has matured, I have learned to appreciate the elegance, structure and power of both Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Both wines are benchmark examples of Cabernet Sauvignon from their respective regions and great value for money.

Nic Bowen, Chief Wine Maker: Choose your own favourite
“Choosing a favourite wine from the Distinguished Sites range is like picking a favourite child—I simply can’t. Each wine in this range holds a unique place, crafted with equal care and dedication to showcase the distinct characteristics of their respective terroirs. Every bottle tells its own story, making each one special in its own right. I suggest you try each one and find your own favourite.”