Discover Howard Park Icon Wines

In the world of fine wine, certain labels transcend the ordinary, capturing the essence of their origins and the spirit of those who craft them. Howard Park Icon Wines are such labels—elegant, age-worthy, and deeply rooted in the history of the Burch family. These wines are more than just a testament to exceptional winemaking; they are a tribute to the significant members of the Burch lineage, each bottle telling a story of heritage, tradition, and the pursuit of perfection.

The Icon Wines, named after Jeff Burch’s great-grandfather, grandmother, and the parents of his wife, Amy Burch, represent the pinnacle of Howard Park’s winemaking prowess. Each wine—Abercrombie, Allingham, and A.S.W.—is meticulously crafted, reflecting the unique terroirs from which they hail and the storied legacy of the Burch family.

Abercrombie: The Flagship Cabernet Sauvignon

The Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon stands as the flagship of Howard Park's portfolio, a wine that has earned its place among Australia's finest. This iconic wine is a blend of the best fruit sourced from two exceptional vineyards: the Leston vineyard in Margaret River and the Abercrombie vineyard in Mount Barker, Great Southern.

First crafted in 1986 by Howard Park founder John Wade, the Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon has long been revered for its formidable character and exceptional cellaring potential, with bottles capable of aging gracefully for up to 20 years. The Abercrombie vineyard, with its north-facing slopes and gravelly soils, is home to some of the oldest Cabernet Sauvignon vines in the region, planted in 1975. These vines, nurtured over decades, produce fruit of extraordinary depth and complexity.

The story of the Abercrombie vineyard is one of dedication and vision. Identified in the early 1970s as an ideal site for Bordeaux-style Cabernet, the vineyard has undergone several ownership changes before becoming part of the Burch family estate in 2004. Despite these transitions, the grapes from this vineyard have consistently formed the backbone of the Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon, contributing to its rich, layered profile that evolves beautifully with time.

This wine, formidable in its youth, is known for its robust structure, with powerful tannins and intense flavors that soften and harmonize as the wine ages. It's a wine that demands patience, rewarding those who cellar it with a softened, elegant expression that speaks to its superior quality. Recognized with 3 Merits by The Real Review as an iconic wine of Australia, the Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon is a true embodiment of Howard Park's commitment to excellence.

Allingham: The Icon Chardonnay

In the portfolio of Howard Park Wines, the Allingham Chardonnay holds a special place, standing as the flagship white wine that exemplifies precision, elegance, and innovation. Introduced in 2011 under the direction of Chief Winemaker Janice McDonald, this wine was created to complement the Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon, showcasing the winery's mastery of both red and white varietals.

The Allingham Chardonnay is sourced from the Allingham vineyard, located in Karridale at the southern end of the Margaret River region. This area is renowned for its cool climate, which is ideal for cultivating Chardonnay. The vineyard was first planted in 2004, and over the years, additional blocks were established, including those planted with the Gin Gin clone—a variety that Margaret River is famous for. This clone, along with the cool climate Dijon clones, contributes to the complexity, texture, and citrus-driven flavors that define the Allingham Chardonnay.

The vineyard's acquisition by the Burch family in 2014 marked a significant milestone, as it allowed them to fully control the quality and character of the fruit used in this prestigious wine. The Chardonnay produced from this site is distinguished by its fine balance of richness and acidity, with notes of citrus, white stone fruits, and a subtle minerality that reflects the terroir of Karridale.

Janice McDonald’s vision for the Allingham Chardonnay was to craft a wine that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the best Chardonnays in the world. The result is a wine of remarkable depth and refinement, offering layers of flavor that evolve in the glass, revealing hints of oak and a creamy texture from careful barrel fermentation and aging.

Allingham Chardonnay is not just a tribute to the vineyard's potential but also to the Burch family’s commitment to creating wines that honor their legacy while embracing modern winemaking techniques. With its combination of precision, complexity, and the ability to age gracefully, this wine is a true representation of Howard Park’s dedication to producing exceptional wines.

A.S.W.: A Tribute to Family and Tradition

Among the Howard Park Icon Wines, A.S.W. holds a unique place, not just for its exceptional quality, but for the deep personal significance it carries. This wine, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz, is named in honor of Amy Burch’s parents, Alex Stephen Wee and Annie Sheila Wee, reflecting the profound influence the Burch family has had on Howard Park's legacy.

First crafted in 2016, A.S.W. was conceived as a top-tier expression of the classic Australian blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz—a style that has long been celebrated for its bold flavors and aging potential. The fruit for A.S.W. is sourced from the Leston vineyard in the Margaret River region, an area renowned for producing high-quality grapes with intense flavor profiles.

What sets A.S.W. apart from other wines in the Howard Park portfolio is its stylistic divergence, both in terms of blend composition and winemaking approach. Traditionally, Margaret River blends have focused on combining Cabernet Sauvignon with other Bordeaux varieties like Merlot. However, A.S.W. represents a deliberate departure from this norm, embracing the synergy between Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz to create a wine that is both powerful and nuanced.

In another break from tradition, A.S.W. is the only wine in the Howard Park range that prominently features American oak in its maturation. The use of American oak imparts a distinctive character to the wine, adding layers of spice, vanilla, and sweetness that complement the dark fruit and earthy tones of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend. The result is a wine that is robust yet refined, with a complexity that unfolds with each sip.

A.S.W. is not only a testament to Howard Park's innovative spirit but also a heartfelt tribute to family. By naming this wine after her parents, Amy Burch ensures that their legacy is woven into the fabric of Howard Park’s story. This connection to family, combined with the wine's exceptional craftsmanship, makes A.S.W. a true icon in the Howard Park collection.

Howard Park Icon Wines are more than just a collection of premium bottles; they are a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and the enduring legacy of the Burch family. Each wine—whether it’s the formidable Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon, the refined Allingham Chardonnay, or the bold and innovative A.S.W.—is a reflection of the unique terroirs from which they originate and the meticulous care that goes into their creation.

These wines are crafted with a deep respect for tradition, yet they embrace the spirit of innovation that defines Howard Park. As a result, they offer not only exceptional drinking experiences but also the potential for long-term aging, allowing wine enthusiasts to savor their evolution over time.

For those who seek wines that are both elegant and age-worthy, Howard Park Icon Wines stand as a testament to the pursuit of excellence in Australian winemaking. Each bottle carries with it a story of family, history, and a commitment to producing wines of unparalleled quality.