Jeff Burch

Owner & CEO

As the owner and CEO of Howard Park Wines Jeff is deeply committed to wine excellence and embraces a mantra of “no compromise” when it comes at all ingredients that make up the final glass of Howard Park.

Jeff’s interest in the world of wine began through his love of surfing and regular visits to Western Australia’s Margaret River. Frequent visits to the region presented Jeff with the opportunity to interact with the many great wine producers with whom he shared their passion for wine and hunger for knowledge.

In the early 1980’s the Burch’s purchased a holiday house in the now famous coastal hideaway of Yallingup and in 1988 they purchased a rural property in the Wilyabrup Valley, the heart of Margaret River’s grape growing region. One thing lead to another and it was not long before Jeff was involved in building a winery in Denmark for Howard Park having become a partner in the business in 1993. In 1996 the first vineyard plantings began on the Margaret River property followed by the completion of Howard Park’s second winery and cellar door in Margaret River in 2000.

Aside from wine Jeff is also a passionate family man and proudly combines his love for wine and family with the Leston Vineyard named after the late Leston Burch, Jeff’s father and mentor. Jeff’s brother David is the manager of the Leston Vineyard and sister, Lesley is the company Brand Ambassador for Australia. Jeff and Amy’s children also play an active role in the business with Nat Burch joining the company in 2005 as Administration Manager in Margaret River and David Burch joining the company in 2006 in sales in the South West region.

At the wineries Jeff can be found in the barrel room sampling the wines of Howard Park whilst planning for the next tasting of Howard Park alongside some of the great wines of the old world that are stored in his ever expanding cellar to ensure our team does not end up with “a cellar palate”! Jeff is also focused on the development of Howard Park’s second vineyard in the Porongurup Ranges, selected for its elevation and cool climate to provide Howard Park with exceptional Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in years to come.

Jeff has been described by others as the focused but laid back, ‘lateral thinking’ businessman who is rarely seen wearing a tie. He is obviously passionate about wine and mad about golf (with a handicap of 15!) and surfing and is a member of several wine appreciation clubs.