One of Australia’s oldest and most respected families of wine scored a hat-trick at the Hunter Valley’s night of nights last Thursday.
Tyrrell’s Wines’ Bruce Tyrrell, Mark Richardson and Andrew Pengilly were among joyous recipients of trophies at this year’s Hunter Valley Legends Awards.
Fourth generation family member and Managing Director, Bruce Tyrrell, was presented with the Hunter Valley Award for Excellence, recognising his significant contributions towards the region’s wine and tourism industries.
Tyrrell was the Director of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association for 30 years and President twice. He was also the Director of the Hunter Valley Research Foundation for 22 years and is currently Chairman of Australia’s First Families of Wine.
During his career, he has driven the recognition of Hunter’s predominant varietal,
Tyrrell said he was overwhelmed by the award and to be recognised among his peer group and colleagues.
“I have done what I thought needed to be done at the times when the industry was under threat or had an opportunity to take up. And I now look to the younger generation to carry that on.”
Tyrrell’s Red Winemaker Mark Richardson was named 2017 Winemaker of the Year, acknowledging his success on the show circuit and commitment to promoting his and the region’s wines.
Richardson joined Tyrrell’s in 1994 as Assistant Winemaker and was promoted to Chief Red Winemaker in 2000. He has previously won Winemaker of the Year in Campbell Mattinson and Gary Walsh’s Big Red Wine Book 2009/10.
Finally, Tyrrell’s Group Vineyard Manager, Andrew Pengilly, was awarded 2017 Viticulturist of the Year. The award recognises that good wine starts in the vineyard and Pengilly is a key member of Tyrrell’s winemaking team, overseeing its viticulture teams in the Hunter Valley and Victoria.
Other recipients on the night included Ian Tinkler, who was awarded Legend of the Year and
Image: Tyrrell’s Wines’ Mark Richardson, Andrew Pengilly and Bruce Tyrrell
