FOR Frankland River Estate's vineyard manager Rohan Thorn, the decision to work in agriculture was based on one thing - lifestyle.
Rohan grew up on his family's sheep and cropping farm at Kojonup in the lower Great Southern, with older brothers Hamish and Lachlan and parents Wendy and Geoff.
Agriculture certainly flows through Rohan's blood, with his great-grandfather, grandfather, father and eldest brother Lachlan having all worked on the land, while Hamish is involved in marine science and conservation.
Rohan said he had always loved science and growing things and had a keen involvement in his mother's vegie patch.
Even as a seven-year-old he tried to create ant killer using elements from his mother's kitchen spice rack.
After finishing high school he spent a year at home, which was when he decided he wanted to pursue a career in agriculture.
"Basically I didn't want an office job. I've always loved being outside and so the decision to get into agriculture was simple," he said.
"The lifestyle the country offered was too enticing."
From his love of science, biology and agriculture, Rohan followed a path into viticulture and genealogy at university.
He opted not to follow his father and brother down the traditional farming path, saying he's always wanted to do things differently.
"Maybe if Lachlan wasn't on the farm I might have gone down that path but viticulture is a real passion for me," he said.
Rohan said he enjoyed the process of growing the produce and turning it into a consumable product.
"You're involved in the process the whole way," he said.
"Growing the product, making it consumable and then consuming it, it's the whole cycle."
Rohan began his degree at UWA in Perth, before moving to the university's Margaret River campus for the final two years, where he indulged in surfing and learnt his craft in the heart of one of the country's best wine regions.
After university Rohan travelled throughout Australia and the world, working in a variety of jobs in the viticulture industry and taking part in different vintages.
"Different climates provide a different growing experience and a new perspective on growing wine, you also get to see and be involved in growing all sorts of different types of grapes and to experience working with people from all over the world who have different ideas and ways of doing things," Rohan said.
After gaining an insight into different grape varieties and meeting his girlfriend in Canada Rohan returned to the lower Great Southern, bringing his partner with him, and is now working at Frankland River Estate.
"It's a fantastic opportunity close to home and my family and it's really interesting to be working at an organic winery," he said.
Rohan's mantra is simple - you need to grow good grapes to make good wine.
"The general consumer perception of winemaking is over-complicated. It's not rocket science, it's a simple process of crushing and fermenting grapes and doing different treatments to them," he said.
"The key is the grapes, I'm all about growing the best grapes possible and from that producing good wine.
"Good wine comes from good grapes."
Rohan also produces his own homebrew beer, on a much smaller scale, but which he treats with the same passion.
And it's not the typical homebrew bought in a can from a supermarket.
Rohan has honed his winemaking skills and exceptional palate into crafting beer, carrying out every step of the production himself, from collecting the freshest ingredients to grinding his own barley.
The beer is made from scratch and the results like the wine he is helping to produce, are delicious.
Rohan said there were many advantages to living in WA's south.
"It is just one of the most magical parts of the world to live in," he said.
"From Frankland I can drive an hour and a half and be in the surf, or rock climbing in the Stirling Ranges, or over in Margaret River visiting other wineries.
"It is all here and I don't think people even realise it, or make the most of what this amazing part of the world has to offer.
"Sure I could be up at the mines earning more money but for me it's the lifestyle I can have here.
"Agriculture is such a great industry to work in. You're outside, and you can see firsthand the results of your hard work and you are working with nature to produce something for other people to enjoy."
For Rohan, it certainly beats sitting behind a desk in a suit and tie every day.
