Three Elms

This venture is succession planning at its best. Merv and Judy Lange had a 1200ha wool and grain farm when, in '71, they decided to plant a few vines and Alkoomi was born. By ’14, Alkoomi was one of James Halliday’s Top 100 Australian Wineries with 104ha of estate vineyards and annual production of 60 000 dozen. Four years earlier (in ’10) they had handed ownership to daughter Sandy and husband Rod Hallett, who had been an integral part of the business for many years as they raised their daughters Emily, Laura and Molly. In ’17 Three Elms was established, its name taking the first letter of the name of each daughter. Laura obtained a bachelor of agribusiness, majoring in viticulture, from Curtin University in ’15. Her sisters are both work in the business (admin/marketing) and are part of Three Elms’ management group. -JAMES HALLIDAY