After 43 years of early rising, nurturing vines, and “thriving on stress,” Rob Wignall has decided to close his family-run winery in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. The decision marks the end of an era for the Wignall family, who have been a staple in the local wine industry since 1981.
Rob Wignall’s journey began when his father, Bill Wignall, developed a keen interest in wine. In 1981, Bill conducted research to determine which vines would thrive on their farm, located just 15 minutes outside Albany. “The science showed the Albany climate was virtually identical to the famous Burgundy [wine] region in France,” Rob Wignall explained.
The Rise of a Family Legacy
For over two decades, Bill Wignall cultivated his passion for winemaking, but his journey was cut short when he developed Lewy body dementia, a degenerative brain disease. “When he got ill, he got ill,” Rob Wignall recalled. In 2004, Rob and his wife, Claire, took over as directors of the business, a succession plan that was accelerated by necessity.
“It was a little bit daunting, but the first thing we did was bring in a number of consultants and said, ‘How can we improve?'” Rob shared. Under their leadership, the winery flourished, hosting numerous music festivals featuring acts like Paul Kelly and Darryl Braithwaite, and winning countless awards for its wines.
Health Concerns and New Beginnings
The decision to close the winery was influenced by Rob Wignall’s own health challenges. Diagnosed with blood cancer in 2019, doctors advised him to “exit a high-pressure job” and focus on his health. “The last couple of years I’ve been doing a lot of things for my general health … and we’ve been managing that very well, but in recent times it’s [cancer] thriving on stress,” he admitted.
Despite the challenges, Rob is committed to honoring his parents’ legacy. Instead of selling the winery, the family has chosen to lease it to Paul and Bianca Nelson, winegrowers from nearby Denmark. “A lot of people have asked, ‘Why are you retiring the label? Surely you would just sell up and move on?'” Rob explained. “If it wasn’t a family name, it wouldn’t have been such a difficult decision.”
A New Chapter for the Nelsons
The Nelsons, who already own and operate vineyards across the region, are eager to continue the Wignall legacy. “Albany is experiencing a big growth in population and we feel, from a business perspective, it was the right time to make this move,” Paul Nelson stated. “Given we’ve been operating in Denmark for so long, we see potential in consumer engagement.”
The Nelsons plan to capitalize on Albany’s growing demand for local attractions. “It’s also that time of transition now. People are either retiring or handing their business over to the next generation and I think there is bit of a gap in the market,” Paul noted.
“Albany is experiencing a big growth in population and we feel, from a business perspective, it was the right time to make this move.” – Paul Nelson
Looking Forward
Despite the long hours and health concerns, Rob Wignall cherishes countless fond memories of his family’s winery, including the “successful concerts” they hosted over 27 years. Paul Nelson expressed his desire to continue this tradition, saying, “From a local point of view, there [are] so many good acts from around here we want to promote and give an opportunity. It’s going to be a big [part] of what we do.”
As for Rob, he is looking forward to the next chapter of his life. “At the end of the day, I’m a typical farmer. I’ve got an asset behind me that’s worth some money, but I’ve got very little money in the bank, so I have to go out and find myself a job,” he said. “I’m truly looking forward to taking orders from a boss instead of having to issue those orders … hopefully not having to work seven days a week, 80 hours a week.”
Rob Wignall’s story is one of resilience and dedication, and as he steps away from the winery, he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to influence the region’s wine industry. “Onwards and upwards, and maybe look at working for the next six or seven years and then one day doing that final retirement dream that we all dream of,” he concluded.
