When 28-year-old Laura Wishart took on the sole management position at her parents' vineyard, people said she did not know what she was getting herself into. That did not deter her.
"My dad always said to me that the only sure way to get me to do something is to tell me that I can't and I've had a few people tell me that I can't do this," Ms Wishart said.
"I'm working pretty hard to prove them wrong."
Shepherd's Hut vineyard is based in Porongurup, about 50 kilometres north of Albany in Western Australia.
Coming full circle
The 18-hectare property landed in Ms Wishart's lap when the previous manager moved on to another job.
"Dad started talking about possibly selling the vineyard and I was ready to branch out and give something a go on my own," she said.
"This is always something that, you know, I'd been interested in just out of high school."
During Ms Wishart's first couple of years in university, she was the "unofficial" sales rep for Shepherd's Hut.
"I'd go around hassling people as this 18, 19-year-old, knowing nothing, asking them to buy our wine," she said.
"I guess it's sort of come full circle in a way and now, rather than just selling the product, I'm also in the vineyard."
Life in the vines
Ms Wishart lives in the shepherd hut the vineyard is named after.
She typically works 12 hours a day, working solo on most jobs around the vineyard and online for its wine brand.
"It is a big operation. I mean, to do that pretty much on your own with great support is a really big job," Ms Wishart said.
One of the biggest things Ms Wishart learnt while managing the vineyard is that it was okay to rely on others and learn on the job.
"I think one of the most valuable things that … being a young woman brings to this is that I'm really not scared of asking for help," Ms Wishart said.
Trust yourself
She said her willingness to learn and ask for help had invited more people in, allowing her to grow into the role further.
"Of course, there'll be days where … you aren't sure that it was the right choice, but that's any job," Ms Wishart said.
"Just push through and trust yourself."
Her advice to other young women wanting to have a crack is to tune out the negative voices that say, "You can't".
"You absolutely can, even though there will be people that wonder if you're doing the right thing or telling you that you can't," Ms Wishart said.
"I think I think if you are really passionate about something, you really enjoy it, you can do it."
A welcomed challenge
Ms Wishart's first vintage was in 2021.
She said she did not know exactly how intense managing a vineyard would be but had learnt quickly.
"I really like a challenge," she said.
Ms Wishart is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make something of her own among the vines.
"I'm really privileged, I've been given a fantastic opportunity that lots of people probably don't get," she said.
