New South Wales Tyrrell's Wines, one of Australia's iconic family-owned vineyards, has a history dating back to 1858. Tyrrell's Wines in the Hunter Valley was a must when we returned to Australia to explore its east coast wine regions. Our east coast adventures focused on New South Wales (NSW), home to 14 wine regions, which vary from warm to coastal, and cool alpine regions. Today's Hunter Valley is known for its distinct Semillon and Shiraz. Tyrrell's is Semillon and Shiraz wine magic at its best.
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| Verontal Tasting of Tyrrell's Wines, 2019 © Spaswinefood |
Tyrrell's Old Hut Vineyard, Hunter Valley © Spaswinefood
Indeed winemaking in the Hunter Valley, with a viticultural history dating back to the early 1800's, is considered to be the birthplace of Australian wines. First, I must confess that Tyrrell's Wines tops my list of favorite Hunter Valley wines. Fortunately, while in the Hunter Valley I attended a Tyrrell's Semillon and Shiraz wines event at their Pokolbin site. This site is home of the historic hut and the Old Hut Vineyard, both of which we visited, just before an outstanding wine tasting. This was followed by dinner hosted by Tyrrell's at the Muse Restaurant. Yes, it was an evening to remember.
Tyrrell's Story
Once I discovered Tyrrell's was on the list of possible wine country excursions I did not waste any time selecting this option. Our evening visit began at the historic old hut where Chris Tyrrell shared some of his family's winemaking history, dating back five generations. I loved visiting Tyrrell's, not only because the setting was so inviting, but also there was a personal story for me to discover.
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| Tyrrell's Wines, Hunter Valley © Spaswinefood |
That evening we gathered near the old hut built by English immigrant Edward Tyrrell who established Tyrrell's Wines. From such humble beginnings Tyrrell's became one of Australia's pre-eminent family owned wine companies.
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| Tyrrell's Wines Old Hut © Spaswinefood |
This family winery is now led by Bruce Tyrrell (4th generation) and his children Chris, Jane and John (5th generation).
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| Sharing the Old Hut Story, Tyrrell's © Spaswinefood |
Discovering Vineyard and Winemaking History
From the hut it was off to the vineyard. Here we viewed of some of the oldest and most historic vines in the Hunter Valley, dating back over 100 years.
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| Old Hut Vineyard, Tyrrell's Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Old Hut Vineyard,Tyrrell's Wines © Spaswinefood |
Tyrrell's vineyards have expanded beyond its initial 60 acres to 900 acres. It now includes vineyards at:
1. Hunter Valley Pokolbin,
2. Hunter Valley Sacred Sites, and
3. Central Victoria Heathcote Vineyards.
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Vineyard Views, Tyrrell's Wines © Spaswinefood
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After viewing the Old Hut Vineyard we headed back to the cellar door.
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| Tyrrell's Wines Cellar Door © Spaswinefood |
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| Cellar Door, Tyrrell's Wines © Spaswinefood |
Over the years Tyrrell's winemaking alumni list includes many well known winemakers. Today's team includes Andrew Spinaze, Mark Richardson, and Chris Tyrrell.
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| Tyrrell's Wines Historic Cellar Door © Spaswinefood |
Verontal Tasting of Tyrrell's Wines
Tyrrell's wine portfolio includes a wide range of wine types, styles and varietals. We did a four-part “Verontal” tasting, which included the following:
1. A vertical of Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Semillon from 2019, 2009, and 1998; 2. A horizontal of 2014 Stevens Semillon, HVD Semillon, & Belford Semillon; 3. A vertical of Vat 9 Shiraz from 2017, 2014, & 2009; and 4. A horizontal of 2017 Stevens Shiraz, Old Hut Shiraz, and Mother’s Shiraz. |
| Verontal Tasting of Tyrrell's Wines © Spaswinefood |
For sure it was a very special evening with Tyrrell's Semillon wines. We began our tasting of Tyrrell's Semillon with a vertical of Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Semillon from 2019, 2009, and 1998. |
| Winemaker's Selection Vat 1 Semillon 2019, 2009, 1998 © Spaswinefood |
Next, there was a horizontal of Single Vineyard 2014 Semillon wines from Stevens Vineyard, HVD Vineyard, and Belford Vineyard. |
| 2014 Stevens Semillon, HVD Semillon, & Belford Semillon © Spaswinefood |
I was certainly very special for me to taste such a range of Semillon wines.
The second vertical was Vat 9 Shiraz from 2017, 2014, and 2009 vintages. |
Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2017 © Spaswinefood
 | | Back label for Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2017 © Spaswinefood |
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Tyrrell's Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2014 |
| Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Back label for Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2014 © Spaswinefood |
Tyrrell's Wines, Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2009 |
| Vat 9 Hunter Shiraz 2009 © Spaswinefood |
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| Back label for Vat 9 Hunter Valley Shiraz 2009 © Spaswinefood |
We concluded the tasting with a horizontal of Single Vineyard 2017 Mother’s Shiraz, Old Hut Shiraz, and Stevens Shiraz.
Tyrrell's Wines, Single Vineyard Mother’s Hunter Shiraz 2017 |
| Single Vineyard Mother’s Hunter Shiraz 2017 © Spaswinefood |
Tyrrell's Wines, Single Vineyard Old Hut Hunter Shiraz 2017 |
| Single Vineyard Old Hut Hunter Shiraz 2017 © Spaswinefood |
Tyrrell's Wines, Single Vineyard Stevens Hunter Shiraz 2017 |
| Single Vineyard Stevens Hunter Shiraz 2017 © Spaswinefood |
I loved the expression of terroir displayed by each the vineyards for these 2017 Shiraz wines.
What a fascinating lineup of Tyrrell's Semillon and Shiraz wines we tasted that evening! |
| Tyrrell's Wines Verontal Tasting © Spaswinefood |
Beyond experiencing some of Tyrrell's best wines, for me it was also an outstanding overview of Hunter Valley Semillon and Shiraz wines.
Dinner with Tyrrell's Wines
Dinner was held at the Muse restaurant, one of the most awarded restaurants in the Hunter Valley. We experienced an exquisite menu curated by chef/proprietor Troy Rhoades-Brown. Each dish was matched perfectly with Tyrrell’s finest Museum wines. May I say we were spoiled.
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| Wine Media Dinner, Muse Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
During dinner I not only enjoyed this amazing gastronomic experience but also the company.
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| Muse Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Dinner Menu, Muse Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
Here is a peek at a few of the dishes on the menu.
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| Snacks, Muse Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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First Course, Muse Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
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| Second Course, Muse Restaurant © Spaswinefood |
When I left that evening I could not resist taking a look at the open kitchen.
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| Muse Restaurant, Hunter Valley © Spaswinefood |
I had so looked forward to learning about Tyrrell's Wines and I was not disappointed. They lived up to their Motto "Nothing is great unless it is good". Special recognition should go to Chris Tyrrell, the Tyrrell's staff, and the Muse Restaurant staff for an evening to remember. I invite you to join me in my travels in Australia and elsewhere at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook
Sharon
Remembering September 2019
Australia
© Spaswinefood |
| Tyrrell's Coat of Arms © Spaswinefood |
During that earlier 2019 wine conference in addition to the sessions, excursion to Tyrell's, there were also pre-conference and post-conference tours to wine regions in New South Wales, and Queensland. We did our own Pre-conference excursion to the Granite Belt Region, Queensland. Among the post conference options (Orange, Riverina, and Mudgee) I elected to do the Mudgee excursion.
Mudgee, New South Wales © Spaswinefood
For sure, I was excited to return to Australian wine country for the third time last March 2024. Wine enthusiasts know that there is a lot of Australian wine country to explore. Those who travel to Australian wine country will not be disappointed. I look forward to continuing my Spaswinefood adventure down under. I invite you to join me in future vine-filled explorations in Australia and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon, and at Spaswinefood on Bluesky and Facebook.
Sharon
Remembering April 2024
Sydney, Australia
© Spaswinefood
Orange, New South Wales, Australia, 2019 © Spaswinefood
Buck, Hunter Valley 2023 © Spaswinefood
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