Erl Happ is a non-conformist, a rebel, a dissenter an iconoclast. He challenges those holding traditional views particularly those held with religious veneration. He will invariably find a better way.
Erl was among the early pioneers of the Margaret River appellation. Though success came early, Erl was strongly influenced by Tom Cullity (founder of Vasse Felix) who claimed that the best wines would come from vines planted south of Witchcliffe in the extreme south of the appellation.
This led Erl to embark on a massive research project studying the relationship between the weather, particularly temperature and fruit quality. In the process he was awarded the accolade of “Master of the Weather”. This led him to establish “Three Hills”, in the cooler micro-climate of Karridale, now Happs main production vineyard.
Simultaneously Erl developed a process to make “Preservative Free” wines. Both projects had their sceptics all have been silenced. The first vintage Shiraz from Karridale remains Robert Parkers highest point scoring wine from the region, and Happs Preservative Free is recognised as the standard by which any other PF is judged.