Tyrrell's
Summary
Tyrrell's is a fifth-generation family winery operating since 1858 in Australia's Hunter Valley, where they cultivate 350 hectares across sandy alluvial flats and volcanic basalt soils, specializing in distinctive Semillon and Shiraz from some of the country's oldest vineyards. Their winemaking balances traditional methods like open fermentation in 1860s vats with minimal intervention techniques, preserving the character of historic vineyards including the 1879 Shiraz plantings and 1908 Semillon vines that define their iconic Vat series wines.
Heritage & Leadership
Tyrrell's was established in 1858 when English immigrant Edward Tyrrell purchased 320 acres of land in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. The winery has remained family-owned and operated throughout its 160+ year history, making it one of Australia's oldest continuously family-run wineries. The leadership has passed through five generations of Tyrrells, with Bruce Tyrrell, a fourth-generation family member, currently serving as Managing Director. Bruce took the helm in 1974, continuing the family legacy while modernizing operations. The fifth generation is now actively involved, with Chris Tyrrell working as the Chief Operating Officer and overseeing much of the winemaking.
Throughout its history, Tyrrell's has achieved several significant milestones. In 1971, Murray Tyrrell (Bruce's father) made the decision to bottle and sell the winery's Semillon under its own label rather than selling it in bulk, a pivotal moment that helped establish Hunter Valley Semillon as a distinctive Australian wine style. The winery maintains some of Australia's oldest producing vineyards, including the 4-Acre vineyard planted in 1879, which continues to produce fruit for their Old Patch Shiraz, and the Short Flat vineyard planted in 1923, which supplies grapes for their flagship Vat 1 Semillon.
## Vineyards & Wines
Tyrrell's vineyard holdings span approximately 350 hectares across three Australian wine regions. Their primary vineyards are located in the Hunter Valley, with additional holdings in Heathcote (Victoria) and McLaren Vale (South Australia). The Hunter Valley vineyards, situated primarily on the valley floor, feature a mix of sandy alluvial flats and volcanic basalt soils that contribute to the distinctive character of their wines.
The winery's most prized vineyard blocks include the HVD (Hunter Valley Distillery) vineyard, which contains Semillon vines planted in 1908; the 4-Acre vineyard with Shiraz vines from 1879; and the Short Flat vineyard with Semillon vines dating to 1923. These old vines produce exceptionally low yields of concentrated fruit. The Heathcote vineyards, planted on the region's distinctive red Cambrian soils at elevations between 160-180 meters, are dedicated primarily to Shiraz. The McLaren Vale holdings, on terra rossa soils, focus on Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tyrrell's produces several distinct wine ranges. Their flagship wines include the Vat 1 Semillon, Vat 9 Shiraz, and Vat 47 Chardonnay. The Single Vineyard series showcases specific vineyard sites, while the Hunter Valley range offers regional expressions at more accessible price points. While Semillon and Shiraz form the backbone of production, Tyrrell's also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Verdelho among other varieties.
## Philosophy & Practice
Tyrrell's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention and the expression of vineyard and regional character. For their Semillon, this means hand harvesting, gentle pressing, and fermentation in stainless steel tanks with no oak influence or malolactic fermentation. The wines are bottled early to preserve freshness and then aged in bottle before release, allowing the development of the honey and toast characteristics that define mature Hunter Valley Semillon.
For red wines, particularly Shiraz, Tyrrell's employs open fermenters, some of which date back to the 1860s. These traditional fermenters allow for gentle extraction of color and tannin. Depending on the wine, maturation occurs in a combination of French and American oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak and aging time tailored to each wine's requirements.
Tyrrell's maintains a strong commitment to preserving their old vineyards, recognizing the unique quality and character that comes from these historic plantings. Their vineyard management practices focus on sustainability, with careful water management being particularly important in the warm Hunter Valley climate. The winery has also invested in solar power to reduce their environmental impact.
In the cellar, Tyrrell's balances traditional techniques with modern technology. While they maintain practices such as basket pressing and open fermentation, they have also adopted temperature control and modern analytical tools to ensure consistency and quality. This blend of old and new approaches reflects their respect for tradition while acknowledging the benefits of technological advancement in winemaking.
Vineyards & Wines
Tyrrell's vineyard holdings span approximately 350 hectares across three Australian wine regions. Their primary vineyards are located in the Hunter Valley, with additional holdings in Heathcote (Victoria) and McLaren Vale (South Australia). The Hunter Valley vineyards, situated primarily on the valley floor, feature a mix of sandy alluvial flats and volcanic basalt soils that contribute to the distinctive character of their wines.
The winery's most prized vineyard blocks include the HVD (Hunter Valley Distillery) vineyard, which contains Semillon vines planted in 1908; the 4-Acre vineyard with Shiraz vines from 1879; and the Short Flat vineyard with Semillon vines dating to 1923. These old vines produce exceptionally low yields of concentrated fruit. The Heathcote vineyards, planted on the region's distinctive red Cambrian soils at elevations between 160-180 meters, are dedicated primarily to Shiraz. The McLaren Vale holdings, on terra rossa soils, focus on Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Tyrrell's produces several distinct wine ranges. Their flagship wines include the Vat 1 Semillon, Vat 9 Shiraz, and Vat 47 Chardonnay. The Single Vineyard series showcases specific vineyard sites, while the Hunter Valley range offers regional expressions at more accessible price points. While Semillon and Shiraz form the backbone of production, Tyrrell's also produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Verdelho among other varieties.
## Philosophy & Practice
Tyrrell's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention and the expression of vineyard and regional character. For their Semillon, this means hand harvesting, gentle pressing, and fermentation in stainless steel tanks with no oak influence or malolactic fermentation. The wines are bottled early to preserve freshness and then aged in bottle before release, allowing the development of the honey and toast characteristics that define mature Hunter Valley Semillon.
For red wines, particularly Shiraz, Tyrrell's employs open fermenters, some of which date back to the 1860s. These traditional fermenters allow for gentle extraction of color and tannin. Depending on the wine, maturation occurs in a combination of French and American oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak and aging time tailored to each wine's requirements.
Tyrrell's maintains a strong commitment to preserving their old vineyards, recognizing the unique quality and character that comes from these historic plantings. Their vineyard management practices focus on sustainability, with careful water management being particularly important in the warm Hunter Valley climate. The winery has also invested in solar power to reduce their environmental impact.
In the cellar, Tyrrell's balances traditional techniques with modern technology. While they maintain practices such as basket pressing and open fermentation, they have also adopted temperature control and modern analytical tools to ensure consistency and quality. This blend of old and new approaches reflects their respect for tradition while acknowledging the benefits of technological advancement in winemaking.
Philosophy & Practice
Tyrrell's winemaking philosophy centers on minimal intervention and the expression of vineyard and regional character. For their Semillon, this means hand harvesting, gentle pressing, and fermentation in stainless steel tanks with no oak influence or malolactic fermentation. The wines are bottled early to preserve freshness and then aged in bottle before release, allowing the development of the honey and toast characteristics that define mature Hunter Valley Semillon.
For red wines, particularly Shiraz, Tyrrell's employs open fermenters, some of which date back to the 1860s. These traditional fermenters allow for gentle extraction of color and tannin. Depending on the wine, maturation occurs in a combination of French and American oak barrels, with the percentage of new oak and aging time tailored to each wine's requirements.
Tyrrell's maintains a strong commitment to preserving their old vineyards, recognizing the unique quality and character that comes from these historic plantings. Their vineyard management practices focus on sustainability, with careful water management being particularly important in the warm Hunter Valley climate. The winery has also invested in solar power to reduce their environmental impact.
In the cellar, Tyrrell's balances traditional techniques with modern technology. While they maintain practices such as basket pressing and open fermentation, they have also adopted temperature control and modern analytical tools to ensure consistency and quality. This blend of old and new approaches reflects their respect for tradition while acknowledging the benefits of technological advancement in winemaking.