Tyrell's celebrates 160th anniversary with two special releases

Tyrrell's has marked its 160th anniversary by releasing two commemorative museum wines: 2005 Vat 1 Hunter Semillon, the most awarded wine in Tyrrell’s history, and 2007 Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz.

Established in 1858, Tyrrell’s is one of Australia’s oldest family-owned wineries with vineyards extending from its historic home in the Hunter Valley to Heathcote.

”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,” said Chris Tyrrell (pictured below with Jane Tyrell at the winery's 160th birthday lunch).

The winery noted there have been numerous monumental moments which saw the Tyrrells put the Hunter Valley on the world wine map, from the 1963 release of the iconic Vat1 Hunter Semillon, now one of Australia’s most awarded white wines, to being the first Australian winery, in 1973, to mature Chardonnay in French oak and enter it into a wine show, which was controversial at the time.

“The Tyrrells have been through many phases of change over the last 160 years adapting to changes in the industry and the economy and the family members of the time," added managing director Bruce Tyrell. "The consistent factor throughout time has been our love of the Hunter Valley and the wines that it makes. It runs through the veins of the family. We have been among 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.

With the fifth generation - Jane, John and Chris - involved in the business, Tyrrell’s noted it will continue 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, ” said Jane Tyrrell. 

“I look forward to continuing to push the barriers of quality in viticulture and winemaking, while never forgetting the deeds of the people that got us here,” added ChrisTyrrell.

The 160th anniversary also coincides with the 47th vintage of Vat 47 Hunter Chardonnay and the 150th vintage of the Old Patch vineyard, home to the oldest producing vines in NSW. 

Happy anniversary Tyrrell's!