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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Lisa Rockman

'Best of the best': Tyrrell's tops Halliday Wine Companion list

Tyrrell's winemakers Mark Richardson, Bruce Tyrrell, Chris Tyrrell and Andrew Spinaze. Picture supplied
Tyrrell's Old Patch Vineyard. Picture supplied
Tyrrell's Old Hut, built in 1858. Picture supplied
Chris and Bruce Tyrrell. Picture supplied
Tyrrell's Short Flat Vineyard, home of the Vat 1 Semillon. Picture supplied

Tyrrell's has been named number one in the Halliday Wine Companion Top 100 Wineries 2024.

The Hunter Valley winery with some of the oldest vineyards in the world topped a list of wineries that started at 1100, was then whittled down to 450, and then 100.

To be selected, Halliday must have reviewed each producer's wines within the past 12 months. The decision came down to the quality and consistency of wines across the range.

In the words of Halliday selectors: "These makers are the best of the best. They are names that resonate with excellence. The Top 100 recognises and celebrates the very best producers of Australian wine right now."

Of Tyrrell's, the Halliday team said the following: "With the family estate founded in 1858, it would be easy for Tyrrell's to rest on tradition - so deep and so profound it is - to settle into the comfort of cruise control. But that's never been the Tyrrell's style.

"History is the deep heartbeat, but constant refinement the modus operandi. Chris Tyrrell is the fifth-generation custodian of the family estate, taking the operational lead in 2014. That was an auspiciously fine vintage to take the reins, and a decade later, Chris' leadership - alongside his legendary father, Bruce - has ensured an ever-upward arc, with the estate refined into one of peerless excellence.

"There are a lot of wines under the Tyrrell's banner, but all have their place, from the everyday up to some of this country's finest single-site expressions. And while blending across sites has always been a highpoint, that isolation and celebration of exceptional vineyards and blocks, coupled with a deftly light touch in the winery, rightly enshrine Tyrrell's greatness. Just over two dozen wines were submitted to the 2025 Companion, across a range of prices, and over half notched gold-medal scores, with eleven 96 or higher. Tyrrell's are in rarefied territory."

Fifth generation winemaker and Tyrrell's chief executive officer Chris Tyrrell was rightly proud when he heard the news this week.

"As Australia's second oldest family winery, accolades like this help justify the generations of hard work that has come before us and the work that we continue to do today," he said.

"Credit must be given to our vineyard and winery teams, who turn our treasured vineyard resources into some of Australia's most enjoyed and collected wines by people all over the world."

Established by Edward Tyrrell in 1858, Tyrrell's is the oldest continuously family owned and operated winery in the Hunter Valley, and home to some of Australia's most awarded wines.

Tyrrell's was among the founding members of Australia's First Families of Wine, an organisation that helps to build awareness of premium Australian wines and their heritage. In 2024, the Tyrrell's estate winery and vineyards received the Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification.

The Tyrrell's team is guided by Edward Tyrrell's motto: "Nothing is great unless it is good."

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