John Gladstones: Godfather of Margaret River wine industry dies aged 92

John Gladstones, the man considered the godfather of the Margaret River wine industry after realising the region was similar to Bordeaux, has died. He was 92. Dr Gladstones was one of Australia’s most influential agronomists and in 1986 was made a member of the Order of Australia. He is best known for his pioneering work in the 1960s, when he studied the climate of the Busselton-Margaret River area and successfully argued it was similar to the famous French wine region. His weather analysis and comprehensive review of soils in the South West gave people the confidence to plant vines in what would become one of the world’s great wine regions. The billions of dollars that the industry has made over the past six decades is arguably a secondary achievement for Dr Gladstones; his creation of a domestic narrow leaf lupin became a fundamental part of WA’s agricultural system. Just as important was his work breeding pasture plants such as subterranean clover and serradella. Dr Gladstones worked closely with Vasse Felix founder Tom Cullity, who planted Margaret River’s first commercial vines. “John was an absolute gentleman. So accomplished and thoughtful, and also rigorous,” Vasse Felix chief executive Paul Holmes a Court said. “He wrote the seminal paper, but for me he was just such an impressive true scientist and absolute gentleman. “As time went on, he was just so encouraging as to how the industry could develop, not as a cheerleader, but based on observation and research. A very rare and impressive person.” Vasse Felix chief wine maker Virginia Willcock said Margaret River would ensure Mr Gladstones would “never be forgotten”. “We all owe John the birth of Margaret River as a wine region,” she said. Ms Willcock said Dr Gladstones had a “brilliant scientific mind” whose “pieces will go down in history”. Industry veteran Vanya Cullen said Dr Gladstones was a man of “integrity with respect to science and the truth”. “His scientific mind, his curiosity were without agenda,” she said. “The end of an era. I feel very sad, but so grateful to have known him, someone of that gravitas. There isn’t anyone like John, and no-one to replace him.” State Opposition Leader Libby Mettam, whose electorate encompasses swathes of vineyards planted courtesy of Dr Gladstones’ work, said the University of WA graduate “was a mentor, inspiration and friend of countless winemakers and viticulturists”. “It was his approach to wine making, emphasising sustainability and quality over quantity, that laid the foundations for so many successful wineries and brands that have enjoyed great acclaim on the global stage,” Ms Mettam said. “Despite his ground-breaking work and research, those who knew Dr Gladstone well will remember him most for one extremely important reason. He was the most beautiful and humble man you could ever meet. “He was a gentleman in every definition of the word and Western Australians are so fortunate to have been graced with his presence.” WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said Dr Gladstones was “an inspirational scientist who changed the face of farming in WA”. “He was a lupin expert and importantly identified Margaret River an ideal wine region,” she said. “Today, years later, Margaret River is a tourist haven, offering some of the world’s best wines. “From lupins to pasture to fine wine, WA farming systems are better because of him.” Dr Gladstones died on Friday night after a long illness. A private funeral for close family will be followed by a public commemoration of his achievements.