Margaret River region wine pioneer and Redgate Wines founder Bill Ullinger sadly passed away earlier this year after a long illness. He was 81.

The irascible ex World War-2 Lancaster bomber pilot, engineer and winemaker built an awesome reputation within and outside the wine industry as a straight talker on issues he believed in without concern for the consequences.

Recent gold medal wins by current release wines and over 100 medals at national shows since 1995 have stamped the family-run winery’s reputation on the international stage.

Bill and wife Dorothy established Redgate Wines, just south west of the Margaret River township, in 1976. Bill named it Redgate because the original was a purveyor of illicit grog many years before, so it seemed appropriate.

Those early establishment days, on a shoestring budget, were brutal as close friend, neighbour and fellow wine pioneer, Dr John Lagan can attest. He and wife Eithne established Xanadu Wines at the same time.

It was only after the long hours clearing, burning, ripping, leveling and planting cuttings from Vasse Felix, mostly by hand, that the first vine shoots came. Then came the weeds, the grass-hoppers, birds, rabbits and some disagreements with the tax office.

All were coped with in Bill’s unique belligerent style and Redgate’s first wine was made in 1981 in a couple of milk vats and an old borrowed basket press.

Sales were gradual and the bank manager growing more nervous when the 1982 Cabernet Sauvignon won the prestigious Montgomery Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show and saved the day.

The Ullingers were part of a wine pioneering clique of the time that included the Cullens, Horgans, Lagans and Cullitys. Bill was one of

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Bill Ullinger

the first presidents of the Margaret River Wine Industry Association and played a key role in establishing the Margaret River Wine Region Festival.

Dr Lagan remembers Bill spending long hours on the winery verandah with a glass of wine, chatting to customers, telling stories and reciting poetry, particularly from the classic Australian poets.

" Bill's memory will forever be a great ennobling part in the history of Margaret River, " Dr Lagan says.

Bill is survived by his wife of 59 years Dorothy, four children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.