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, ABC News reports.
"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.
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."
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.
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PHOTO
Laura Wishart put her hand up to be manager when her parents contemplated selling up.(ABC Great Southern: Sophie Johnson)
