A celebration of 160 years of wine in the making

By MiNDFOOD

Tyrrell's 4th & 5th Generation.
Tyrrell's 4th & 5th Generation.

Preeminent, family-owned winery Tyrrell’s celebrates 160 years of fine winemaking in the historic Hunter Valley.

Today, run by fourth generation family member Bruce Tyrrell AM, and fifth generation Jane, John and Chris Tyrrell, the vineyard prides itself in that fact that it has helped put the Hunter Valley on the world wine map. 

Established in 1858, Tyrrell’s is revered for its iconic Vat 1 Hunter Semillon – now one of Australia’s most awarded white wines – amongst others.

Quintessentially Hunter Valley, the winemaker’s premium Hunter Valley range of wines showcase the key varietals of the region, Semillon, Chardonnay and Shiraz, all cultivated to the highest standard.

Tyrrell’s 4th & 5th Generation from left to right Chris Tyrrell, Bruce Tyrrell AM, John Tyrrell and Jane Tyrrell.

“160 years of family business is an amazing thing. We are lucky enough to make wine from vines planted by our great, great grandfather in a time when they had no electricity or any of the luxuries we have today. It is an honour to work with these wonderful assets,” says Chris Tyrrell.

Managing Director, Bruce Tyrrell AM says that while the winery has been through many phases of change over the past 160 years, adapting to changes in the industry and the economy, and the family members of the time, their love of the Hunter Valley and the wines that it makes has remained constant.

“It runs through the veins of the family. We have been amongst the very few people lucky enough to work with something that is truly unique in the world of wine: Hunter Semillon and have become close to the perfection of its style. In another 160 years my wish is that the family is still here on our original land making wines that are of great quality and distinctive to the Hunter Valley,” explains Bruce.

With the fifth generation involved in the business, Tyrrell’s continues to drive family as being pinnacle to the ethos of the company, with the simple philosophy of producing high-quality wine that people love to drink. “The closeness of our operation, and the family nature of it, means we can consistently make wines that are relevant to the drinking public,” Jane says.

To mark the 160th anniversary and to demonstrate how the best of the Hunter Valley has the ability to age gracefully, Tyrrell’s have released two commemorative museum wines: 2005 Vat 1 Hunter Semillon, the most awarded wine in Tyrrell’s history, and 2007 Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz.

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