John Kosovich (OAM)

Owner/Winemaker/Viticulturalist

John Kosovich in 2024 completed  his 71st vintage, so is perhaps one of the longest serving winemakers in Australia.

John has worked the vines since a small boy and began his wine making career in the early 1950’s, at the tender age of 15.  With his father Jack’s advancing years and the toll of many years hard labour, it was decided that it was time for John to step up and take over as winemaker.

Over the following years he taught himself through trial, error and observation what worked and did not work in the Swan Valley and began to transform the vineyard and wine making from fairly basic into becoming a premium producer.

John spent many years as a wine judge and is a founding member of the Swan Valley Winemakers Association and Swan Valley Vintners.

John Kosovich was awarded the Order of Australia medal in 1995 for his contribution to the wine industry.

In 2004 he won the prestigious Jack Mann Medal in that same year the winery was awarded the Best West Australian Small Producer at the Perth Royal Wine Show. John was also an inaugural inductee in the Swan Valley ‘Icons of the Valley’ which recognises those who make a substantial contribution to our wine industry.

John continues to manage all aspects of the vineyard and consults with the winemaking.

Mary Kosovich

Owner / Manager

Mary grew up in the mining town of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia’s goldfields, moving to Perth in her early 20’s.

After marrying John in 1961 she played an integral role in developing and growing the business whilst raising three children.  Mary has and continues to be hands on at the winery, working at the cellar door, maintaining the business books and working in the vineyards pruning the vines and picking grapes.

Arch Kosovich

Senior Winemaker

Anthony (Arch) is the second son of John and Mary and joined the business in 1994 when the wine making in his blood drew him back to the family business.

Initially working alongside his father and learning his craft, he was thrust into the senior role a few years later when a workplace accident on the eve of vintage left John with a fractured hip and months of rehabilitation in hospital.

Since then Arch has taken the reins and forged a reputation for honest, quality fruit driven wines that consistently impress.

Arch is also an active participant in wine judging circles and has judged at Swan Valley, Mount Barker, Perth Royal, Tasmanian and Adelaide wine shows.  He has been a committee member of the Swan Valley Winemakers Association and Swan Valley Vintners.  Arch is also a committee member of the Swan Valley wine show and is an enthusiastic contributor to promoting and enhancing the Swan Valley as a premium wine region.

Ray Kosovich

(B. App Sc (Oenology))     

Viticulturist/Assistant Winemaker/IT Support

John and Mary’s eldest son Ray grew up on the vineyard and spent school holidays picking grapes and helping in the winery.  He continued into adulthood to assist with any vineyard and winery duties during his spare time.  In the mid 1990’s Ray completed his winemaking degree through Charles Sturt University in South Australia.

After more than 30 years working in the IT industry Ray has joined the family business as Viticulturist, working alongside his father from who he continues to learn from.

Paula Kosovich

Admin & Sales Assistant Event Co-ordinator

Paula joined the family when she married Ray in 1990. Her background is in office administration with one of her past roles being Secretary to the Swan Valley Winemakers Association. She has also held many voluntary positions whilst raising their two children.

Paula has assisted on occasion at the cellar door over the years but has now taken on a more permanent role as administrative and sales assistant. She will also co-ordinate any events or collaborations for the winery.

The Kosovich Family