TYRRELL'S SHIRAZ HUNTER VALLEY OLD PATCH 2019

Sourced from the “Old Patch” on the Old Hillside vineyard on Marrowbone Road, which the Tyrrell family purchase in December 2017. The Old Patch, which sits in the middle of the block, was planted in 1867, making it the oldest vineyard in NSW and one of the oldest in the world. A steep, east-facing block located right underneath the Brokenback mountain range, which provides great protection, it features darker, richer soils than those on our Ashmans property.

The fruit was handpicked on 15 February and sorted in the vineyard before a natural fermentation took place in our open-top vats with 15% whole bunches. After fermentation, the wine was matured for 14 months in a one-year-old 2,700-litre French oak cask.

Bright purple in colour with a red-fruited aroma; some savoury notes add complexity. A classic Hunter Valley wine style, medium bodied and without the concentration of 2017 or 2018 yet still showing good length and structure. An elegant style with deceptive length that builds in the glass.

Our Founders

Rich in history and pioneering achievements since 1858

Established in 1858 by English immigrant Edward Tyrrell, Tyrrell’s Wines is one of Australia’s pre-eminent family owned wine companies with vineyards extending from their historic home in the Hunter Valley NSW to their Heathcote vineyards in Victoria. 

Headed up by fourth generation family member Bruce Tyrrell, Tyrrell’s is home to some of Australia’s most awarded wines including the iconic Vat 1 Semillon. Since 1971, Tyrrell’s has been awarded over 5,600 trophies and medals and in 2010 was named “Winery of the Year” in James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion.

With the fifth generation, Chris, Jane and John, involved in the business, Tyrrell’s will continue to remain family owned with the simple philosophy of producing high quality wine that people love to drink.

Our Environment

Tyrrell’s Wines recognises our responsibility to the environment, and is committed to proactively managing our interaction with our environment by establishing and maintaining standards of excellence to minimize our environmental impact.

To achieve this, Tyrrell’s has established an Environmental Management System (EMS), which was launched in April 2009 and is designed to operate in accordance with the requirements of the International Standard for Environmental Management, ISO 14,001.

Since then, we have achieved a 62% reduction in our Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions (average 8% per year), which represents over 2,400 tonnes less carbon-dioxide gas produced from fuels and coal fired electricity.

Our Winemakers

“For the first century and a bit, winemaking at Tyrrell’s was an inside job and it wasn’t until Ralph Fowler arrived in 1971 that anyone outside the family took on a winemaking role, with Mike DeGaris and Andrew Spinaze the only other non-family members to subsequently hold the post of chief winemaker.” Nick Ryan, Australian Gourmet Traveller, November 2008.

The Tyrrell’s winemaker alumni is a roll call of great names including: Ralph Fowler, Mike DeGaris, John Cassegrain, Andrew Margan, David Hook, Andrew Thomas, Trevor Jones, Andrew Noon, Gordon Gebbie, Chris Archer, Nick Paterson, Dave Mavor, Phil Leggett and three members of the Glaetzer family: Colin, Ben and John.

Today, Andrew Spinaze, Mark Richardson and Chris Tyrrell form the Tyrrell’s winemaking team, responsible for crafting some of Australia’s most iconic wines, consistently ensuring that Tyrrell’s obsession with quality and tradition is upheld.

Our Vineyards

Building upon their inheritance of just 60 acres to 900 acres today, Tyrrell’s premium vineyards extend from their historic home in the Hunter Valley to other distinguished grape growing regions of Australia including Heathcote in Victoria.

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