Ben Rector

Winemaker

With more than two decades of experience making outstanding wine in France, South Africa, USA, New Zealand and Australia, Ben’s abilities are truly multifaceted. His unique experience includes significant time working in cool climate regions and acquiring vast knowledge of varieties that flourish in these areas. His knowledge and experience are harnessed at Smithbrook where his passion for working with the small parcels that come off the property is evident in every drop of world-class wine Smithbrook produces.

On his passion for the region, he said: "I love that Smithbrook represents the soil and terroir in which the vines are grown.  All of the wines produced are 100% sourced from our Pemberton estate vineyard, so the wines really speak of their origin."

John Fogarty

Chief Viticulturist

John has been the Chief Viticulturist for the Fogarty Wine Group since 2002, overseeing the management of premium vineyards in Western Australia, Tasmania and Victoria and sourcing fruit from select growers. He is constantly looking at ways to increase fruit quality to ensure the Group’s winemakers can create the best wines possible. John has completed multiple degrees in viticulture and has an unmatched knowledge of each vineyard site, in particular cool climate Pemberton.

On the Smithbrook vineyards, John said: "Pemberton is such a unique part of WA, it is very different to other viticultural regions and is really just a beautiful landscape being surrounded by tall karri trees, it truly is breathtaking and it just feels untouched!""