He was the first person to suggest wine grapes were suitable to growing in Margaret River and that the region was capable of producing premium wines.

The research of Dr John Gladstones in the 1960s, which found the South West pocket between Dunsborough and Margaret River to be similar in climate and soil to the famed Bordeaux wine region in France, ushered in industry pioneers Tom Cullity from Vasse Felix, Bill Pannell from Moss Wood and Kevin and Di Cullen, who founded Cullen Wines.

“I looked at the limited climate data from Margaret River and compared it with Bordeaux, and it seemed to be that their growing seasons were a very close match,” he told Gareth Parker on 6PR Breakfast.

“I was quite amazed how quickly [the wine industry] happened … now Margaret River is one of the world’s great wine producing areas.”

Tap PLAY below to hear more of Dr Gladstones’ story.