Duncan Harris started his Swan Valley Distillery, called Harris Organic while working full-time as an engineer in Perth, Western Australia.
History – Swan Valley
Here is some history about this blog. In 1922, the area of Baskerville west of the Great Northern Highway of the Swan Valley was subdivided for viticulture. The first grapevines were planted in 1923.
The Tolj family arrived to grow table grapes and currant grapes.
1933 the grape drying shed and home were built, and a workshed, now the current cellar door.
1944 the Water tank stand was built, and later, toilets were installed
1985, the Tolj Family subdivided and sold the property
Duncan H Harris
Duncan Harris started Harris Organic in 1998 while working full-time as an engineer. Furthermore, he spent every spare moment working to establish his dream of a two-hectare organic vineyard and winemaking facilities at the Swan Valley property.
Then, starting from “scratch”, he cleared the trees, turning them into mulch, slashed the grass, removed the fruit trees and chased away the snakes.
Duncan started ploughing the ground in the hot summer months to remove the couch grass.
Duncan Harris – Proprietor and Distiller
Distillery Adventure
An application for a manufacturer’s licence was made in 2006 and granted in 2007.
Firstly, old wines were used to make neutral spirit for fortifying organic wines.
Later, leftover grapes were used to make fine organic brandies, winning awards for the 2010 and 2012 blends at the Perth Royal Show.
Baskerville region – Swan Valley
This organic blog features numerous articles about the life and times of an organic distiller at the first organic distillery in Australia.
Most of all, for more information about this Organic Vodka Distillery, contact Harris Organic via email.