Jeff and Amy Burch, the visionary duo behind one of Western Australia’s most renowned family wineries, Howard Park, have been awarded the Jack Mann Memorial Medal, a prize considered the most prestigious honour in the state’s wine industry.
The ceremony was held today as part of the 2025 Perth Wine Show and a sell-out crowd of 400 celebrated the news at Optus Stadium’s River Room.
The medal, established by the Wine Press Club of Western Australia in 1989 (the year Jack Mann passed away) recognises individuals who have made an outstanding long-term contribution to the Western Australian wine community.
For nearly four decades, the Burches have been instrumental in shaping the landscape of WA wine.
As early champions of multi-regional blending, they built Howard Park on the belief that the distinct climates of the Great Southern and Margaret River could produce wines of exceptional quality and complexity.
This pioneering vision, combined with Jeff’s “no compromise” approach to winemaking, along with Amy’s strategic marketing and design acumen and strict attention to detail, has established Howard Park as a global benchmark for Australian wine.
As the winery approaches its 40th anniversary next year, Jeff and Amy continue to be a driving force of the family business, which they now run alongside their son and daughter, Richard and Natalie Burch.
“I’m so proud to see Jeff and Amy’s commitment formally recognised, having watched them pour their time, energy and passion into this industry over many decades, making countless sacrifices along the way,” said Richard Burch, sales and marketing director at Howard Park Wines.
“For me, it’s all their generosity of time that speaks volumes.
“The years spent on industry committees, Jeff’s leadership of the Agricultural Produce Commission, their support of viticultural research, and the private tastings for Len Evans scholars are just some of the ways that they contribute.
“Above all, I’m proud of the way they’ve introduced so many people from all walks of life to the world of wine.”
Emanuel Loucas, president of the WA Wine Press Club said, “The list of previous recipients reads like a who’s who of the industry, with winners including Tom Cullity, who planted the first vines at Vasse Felix, Denis and Tricia Horgan with Leeuwin Estate, David Hohnen, whose dual Jimmy Watson wins turned the spotlight on Margaret River in the early 80s, Di Cullen, Bill Pannell, and Dorham Mann OAM (Son of Jack), to more recent current stars of the industry Virginia Willcock and Vanya Cullen OAM.
“This year’s recipients, Howard Park’s Jeff and Amy Burch have equally contributed to the growth and standing of the industry, directly through their own wines, but also through encouragement and involvement in many other aspects of the industry.
“They are indeed worthy recipients of this prestigious award.”
The WA Wine Press Club was the first wine press club in Australia, established in 1976, and has been the custodian of the Jack Mann Memorial Medal since 1989 with the first award going to Dr John Gladstones AO, recognised as the father of the Margaret River wine industry.
“The Jack Mann Medal provides a strong link from the rich history of the WA wine industry, and the significant contribution of Jack Mann through his involvement in Houghton wines for much of the 20th century, through to its more recent evolution to becoming a modern and diverse industry spanning a wide geographic spread and producing wines that are recognised as some of the finest in the world,” Mr Loucas said.
Photo: Jeff and Amy Burch. Photo credit: Lauren Trickett.
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