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Name and role at Lenton Brae?
Bruce Tomlinson. Semi retired proprietor, born 1936.How long have you worked at Lenton Brae?
Pioneered the vineyard in 1981-82; subdivided the virgin jarrah and marri forest; cleared then planted the vines; trellised and trained them for a first vintage of 3 tonnes of grapes in 1987.What do you enjoy about your job? (assuming you do of course!)
Except for power and telephone, the vineyard is self sustainable God's earth; viticulture and value added effort. We grow it, we pick it, we make it, we bottle it and we sell it. And we drink it with a marvelous feeling of satisfaction that comes from creativity.
Do you have a favourite Lenton Brae wine?
I'm in awe of Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, now, above all else, the basic dry wine of this region; produced by everyone of the hundred vineyards and a perfect accompaniment with WA's Indian Ocean seafood. First produced due to its synergistic two variety blend by Lenton Brae in 1987 and every year since.What do you do when you’re not at Lenton Brae?
Being a retire former architect - town planner I try and travel most years to see the world's latest great new buildings, and to revisit cities that are/were both 'civilised' and significant...like Munich, Jerusalem, Pompeii and Paris.Within your role at Lenton Brae, what are you plans for the medium to long term?
To just enjoy the new wines of each vintage. The local cheeses are delicious; our home grown avocados, figs and olives can be great for different moods.Best (non-wine) attribute of the Margaret River wine region?
Our night sky after a big weather front has passed west to east across the Capes, between Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste. The weather sweeps the air clean as a whistle, polished and crystal clear; you'd think you could reach up and touch every star.Favourite destination?
The M.C.G., but only when Hawthorn are in a grand final, and I'm not in the nosebleed seats.
Best wine moment?
1934 French Champagne from my parents wedding; kept until my 21st birthday in 1957 under the kitchen sink! Mouldy cork, flat, yuk...but with great sentiment, and what horrible events it was to live through between 1938 and 1945.
If you were a wine, what would you be?
A mixed case of 1990s Veuve Cliquot and Chateau Yquem with a box of Davidoff Dominican Republic cigars, Tubos 2000 for good measure.
