Tyrrell’s Winery: 160 Years of Winemaking Heritage
History
Tyrrell’s Winery, founded in 1858 by Edward Tyrrell in the Hunter Valley, Australia, is one of the oldest and most respected wine producers in the country. Edward, an English immigrant, planted Shiraz and Semillon vines on a 320-acre property named “Ashmans.” The winery's first vintage was in 1864, starting a rich legacy.
In 1889, Edward’s son, Edward George “Dan” Tyrrell, became the winemaker at 18 years old. Known as “Uncle Dan,” he managed 69 vintages and shaped the winery’s direction. Later generations continued this legacy, with Murray Tyrrell formalizing operations in the 1950s and introducing the Private Bin system and the Winemaker’s Selection range.
Today, Tyrrell’s is still family-owned, with Bruce Tyrrell as managing director and his son, Chris Tyrrell, taking on various roles.
Location
Tyrrell’s is located in the Hunter Valley, a top wine region in Australia. The vineyard includes several blocks, with 11 blocks over a century old. The unique climate and soil of the Hunter Valley contribute to the high quality of the wines.
Wine Production
Tyrrell’s leads in Australian winemaking, pioneering varieties like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The winery is famous for its Semillon, especially the Vat 1 Semillon, which is Australia’s most awarded white wine with nearly 5,500 medals and over 330 trophies.
The winery produces various wines, including:
Sacred Sites Range: Wines from ancient vines, like the Old Patch Shiraz.
Winemaker’s Selection Range: The finest wines from each vintage.
Special Releases: Limited-edition wines highlighting specific vintages or expressions.
Private Bin Range: Wines from the best vineyard blocks, for immediate enjoyment or aging.
Hunter Valley Range: Classic varietals like Semillon and Shiraz, capturing the Hunter Valley terroir.
Old Winery Range: High-quality wines at excellent value for everyday enjoyment.
Tyrrell’s exports around 17,000 dozen cases annually to over 30 countries, showing its global reputation and commitment to quality.
Viticulture
Tyrrell’s vineyards are carefully managed for high-quality fruit. The winery focuses on sustainable practices, with an Environmental Management System to reduce energy, water use, and waste. In November 2023, Tyrrell’s became a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, showing its commitment to environmental stewardship.
The vineyard management strategy enhances the unique flavors of the wines, respecting historical vineyards while innovating for the future. Tyrrell’s aims to pass on a better business to the next generation, following Edward Tyrrell’s philosophy: “Nothing is great unless it is good.”
Current Days
Tyrrell’s Winery focuses on sustainability and quality, ensuring it remains a key player in the Austrialian wine industry.