‘Our son Ben is a Potts, 6th generation, and they’ve got wine in their veins,’ Deb said. ‘We really tried to persuade him to try and go do something else, to get a trade behind him, but he loves the industry.’
Deb grew up on a diary farm in the Adelaide Hills, and moved to Strathalbyn as a teenager where she met her husband Bill Potts. As a young mother of three, she left behind a nursing career and became initiated into the grape growing industry and Langhorne Creek. The early days involved weeks of handpicking, and helping her mother-in-law Vera with the baking and the serving of countless teas to the fun loving local grape pickers.
Now, with her kids grown and she is a Grandmother many times over, she works in the office and you will often find her behind the counter at the The Winehouse, a tasting room for five award-winning Langhorne Creek brands.
‘We have five different labels at the Winehouse which is great because it allows us to have a lot of variety in the one tasting room and there is a connection between all the labels that works well. The labels are Ben Potts Wines, Gipsie Jack, Johns’s Blend by John Glaetzer, Heartland by Ben Glaetzer and Kimbolton by the Case Family. The Gipsie Jack label is collaboration between Ben Potts and John Glaetzer, who was Wolf Blass’ first winemaker. Ben’s grown up knowing John most of his life because his dad Bill and John are great friends, and Ben’s great-grandfather “Fiddle” was one of the first growers to supply fruit to Wolf when he first started his label Wolf Blass Wines.
‘We’re very lucky to have John Glaetzer involved here at The Winehouse, as he’s so well recognized in the wine industry.’
The Winehouse is also a function centre. ‘October to February seems to be the “wedding season”, especially in a small country town where football and sport in general plays such a big part, no-one gets married during footy season.’ The commercial kitchen serves the functions and meetings, but Deb hopes that in the future they would serve food on a day-to-day basis.
‘I’m usually at The Winehouse five days a week, as well as two weekends a month, and if I’m not here I’m often babysitting my grandkids or helping care for Bill’s father Lenny. Lenny’s quite a unique character; he’s got the most amazing memory. He’s a salt of the earth type person. He’s kept diaries every day since he was fifteen. He has an amazing amount of knowledge about the district and what’s happened over time. His whole life is basically been around watching birds, going fishing, or in the vineyard and even today that’s the three things that take up his time. Last winter he pruned Ben’s vines, even at 83! He’s minimal trouble but it’s still a matter of checking on him.’
‘Ben’s the winemaker. Bill is the grape grower. Bill’s pretty much like his dad. He hates the office, hates paperwork. He’d rather be out on a tractor or holding a spade.’
Ben is also very involved in the marketing. ‘I just don’t think Langhorne Creek will ever be big and touristy. And that’s probably a good thing. Through the cellar door I know that’s what people love about the place because it’s more personable and quieter.’
The collective cellar door is friendly and unique. Once there, you’ll appreciate that there are a lot of wines on offer, and some wonderful espresso too. It truly gives you a snapshot of the Langhorne Creek region, its wines and its history.
Words: Connie Berg
Image: Karen Jericho
