Vale Tahbilk’s John Purbrick

Reginald John Stevens Purbrick, third generation Purbrick of Australia's oldest family-owned winery Tahbilk Estate has died at 93.

Born in London on 2nd February 1930, he lived a rich life of enthusiasm and passion. In 1931 he came to Australia with his parents, Marjory and Eric, and settled at Tahbilk Winery.

A boarder at Melbourne Church of England Grammar School from the age of six until he left in 1948 as a strapping fit 17-year-old, John's first career was jackerooing in the Western District of Victoria and the Riverina of NSW.

In 1949 he returned to England and celebrated his 20^th birthday with grandfather Reggie before returning to Australia and jackerooing in 1951.

In 1955 he returned to Tahbilk to work with his father, Eric, and manage the sizeable winery and estate. John thrived in this role and continued it for 15 years until 1970 when he was promoted to General Manager before his final promotion to Managing Director in 1975.

John was instrumental in building the marketing arm of the Tahbilk business and was instrumental in encouraging his son, Alister, to pursue winemaking and become the first formally trained winemaker in the family, eventually handing over the reins to Alister in 1980.

In 1979, John moved to Sydney and set up the Stone Wine Company distributing Tahbilk and other wine brands in NSW. The company was a great success and increased Tahbilk’s NSW sales dramatically.

When Rhine Castle Wines took on the national distribution for Tahbilk in 1982, John's love of change led him to explore a different path, and in 1983, he began work at the Regent Hotel’s Kable's Restaurant as its first sommelier.

After his two-year stint at Kable's and exploring other adventures in the interim, John returned to Tahbilk as Marketing Director from 1989 to 1995 before being appointed Chairman of the Board. 

John will be remembered for his community-minded nature. He gave back to the local and wine communities. He served on the Shire of Goulburn from 1962-1964 and the Victorian Wine and Brandy Producers Association, now Wine Victoria, and other industry committees.

A statement from Tahbilk said John loved change, pursued and embraced change, and was no stranger to controversy.

“We will miss this unique man, his strengths, and his flaws and quirks because this was what made John Purbrick the man he was.”

John is survived by his former wife Bonnie, their three children, Alister, Debbie, and Mark, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Service to celebrate John’s life will be held at the Tahbilk Wetlands View Restaurant on Tuesday, 15^th August 2023, beginning at 1.30 pm AEST.

The memorial service will be live-streamed. Please visit Tahbilk’s website, www.tahbilk.com.au, after Tuesday, 8^th August, for streaming login details.

Photo Caption - L - R John, Eric and Alister Purbrick.