Generation 4 - Lenny Potts

Born on the 2nd November 1927, Maurice Leonard (Lenny) Potts is a fourth
generation descendant of Frank Potts, the founder of Bleasdale.

Lenny left school at age 14 and went to work for his uncle A.B. (Artie) Potts at Bleasdale. Whilst working Lenny would often sneak off, riding his bike to Lake Alexandrina to catch yabbies or fish, shoot rabbits, or trap water rats to supplement his and the families income.

In the early 1950’s Lenny and his brother Kevin began the running of the family vineyard. At this stage all fruit grown was being sold to Bleasdale for fortifying. The late 50’s and early 60’s saw the beginning for the demand of table wine, the wine industry was on the verge of major changes. Varieties which were favourable for table wine production were utilised, however this forced a major re think as to what was the correct varietal mix.

This bought about the planting of the new favoured varieties like shiraz and cabernet sauvignon that we see much of today. Lenny realised that within the plantings of each variety there were vines, which produced consistently better fruit year after year. By cutting out the lesser quality bearing vines he was able to improve the quality of cabernet, malbec and shiraz, off all the vineyards.

Vines from these selections are still being grown in the vineyard today.

Lenny is a kind and gentle man who has a passion for growing vines and fruit trees, he can still be found hard at work in the Ben Potts vineyards today!