Tahbilk wine releases mark 100 years of family ownership

 

The Purbrick family, as regular readers will know, is marking 100 years of ownership of one of Australia's iconic wine brands: Tahbilk. 

To mark the occasion, the Victorian winery has released a special commemorative Centennial wine collection. 

The releases from Victoria's oldest family-owned wine producer are all cellar aged to offer immediate drinking pleasure. 

"Each bottle in this collection marks a chapter in Tahbilk's journey," the family says. 

"They are a testament to the estate's dedication to craftsmanship and tradition. From Reginald Purbrick's original purchase to the following generations of commitment and care, the Tahbilk team continues to honour their rich legacy while keeping an eye on the future."

The collection, available at special prices to wine club members, includes a 2015 Marsanne, 2017 Riesling, a 2015 Sparkling Marsanne, a 2015 Old Block Shiraz, a 2015 Old Block Cabernet Sauvignon and a 2013 Fortified Shuraz. 

I'll report back further when I have tried them.

If you are at cellar door, also look out for the book The Purbricks of Tahbilk 1925-2025 by Fay Woodhouse. 

Check out www.tahbilk.com.au    

Tahbilk celebrates a century of family custodianship

For 100 years, five generations of the Purbrick family have been major players in the evolution of the Australian wine industry.

While you may not have heard of the Purbricks, you have certainly heard of the winery that their family has guided for a century; the beautiful and historic Tahbilk in Central Victoria.

The Purbricks got together recently to celebrate their 100-year stewardship, and invited a few media along to taste some wines produced over several decades.

Established in 1860 Tahbilk is one of Australia's most beautiful and historic family owned wineries. Located in the Nagambie Lakes region (120kms north of Melbourne), one of the nation's premium viticultural areas.

The property comprises some 1,214 hectares of river flats with a frontage of 11km to the Goulburn River and 8km of permanent backwaters and creeks.

The story begins in London in the early 1920s with an offer to Reginald Purbrick MP of a glass of Chateau Tahbilk brandy, accompanied by the words ‘This might be of interest to you, Purbrick."

Reg decided to purchase the property sight unseen in 1925.

Reg’s son Eric, who inherited Tahbilk as well as his father’s love of wine, returned to the estate in 1932 amid the Depression, forgoing a law degree.

His son John quietly rebuilt the marketing arm of the business whilst encouraging his son Alister (below) to become the first formally trained winemaker in the family. Alister talks of "mid-weight elegance", a signature of all the family's wines.

Now it is the next generation, led by Alister’s daughter Hayley, who have brought the winery into the 21st century, ensuring the family leaves a sustainable legacy for future generations.

This is a business about family, about the environment and about making wines that sing, rather than shout. 

Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, sons and daughters: they are the world's largest single producers of the Rhone Valley white variety marsanne, some of the vines of which dates back to 1927. 

Marsanne can be enjoyed young or mature - maybe try a bottle over Christmas.

On our recent visit we sampled wines ranging from 1962 to current releases. They included the Estate and 1927 Marsanne Ranges, the Estate/Bin/Reserve and ESP (Eric Stevens Purbrick) shirazes, the 1860 Vines shirazes, Old Vines Cabernet Shiraz blends and Estate, Bin, Reserve and ESP Cabernet Sauvignons. 

These are wines with a serious sense of place, that are made to be enjoyed with family, friends and good company. 

I took copious notes, but will share that the honesty of the wines, and the deft winemaking shone through vintages and varieties. 

Today, Tahbilk is a leader in sustainable winemaking, having been certified net carbon zero 12 years ago. 

You can visit its historic and atmospheric cellar door, dine in the impressive restaurant and walk the eco wetlands. Maybe try, or buy, some of the family centenary special releases.

The oldest family-owned winery and vineyard in Victoria retains a very special charm - and offers a family welcome. 

See www.tahbilk.com.au.

The writer was a guest of Tahbilk    

   

Tahbilk gets a little fizzy and a wee bit sticky

Tahbilk is Victoria's oldest family-owned wine producer with a history that dates back to 1860. 

And it would be fair to say it has a reputation for being quite conservative.

But Tahbilk has joined the growing raze for spritzes and fruit-driven summer cocktails by funking up traditional favourite the Mimosa.

Enter The ‘Sticky Spritz’, a new cocktail combining Tahbilk’s 2018 Cane Cut Marsanne and their NV Coueslant Chardonnay Pinot sparkling wine to produce a signature summer treat that has proved hugely popular at cellar door.

The cocktails was created almost by accident by cellar door manager Holly Cusworth. 

Playing around with wines and flavours, Holly was inspired to build on the spritz trend and create one of her own. 

“The combination of sweet and fruity hi flavours in this spritz is delicious but not cloying," she says. 

"The acid in the sparkling cuts through, creating a not-too-sweet summer sensation. It’s my new ‘go to’ drink, but really it's so special as we’ve never really served or sold a drink like this before, combining two wines from our classic portfolio.”

Take the two wines and add a sprig of thyme, a squeeze of orange and some soda water to your glass.

Here's a recipe, but you can tweak it to suit your own tastes.

● Half fill a wine glass with plenty of ice and add the following:

● Tahbilk Cane Cut Marsanne

● Tahbilk NV Coueslant Chardonnay Pinot sparkling

● Top with soda water

● Add a squeeze of fresh orange juice and stir

● Garnish with a slice of orange and a sprig of thyme

For more see www.tahbilk.com.au to order. The 2018 Cane Cut Marsanne is $20.95 and the NV Coueslant Chardonnay Pinot sparkling is $22.95.

Meet a once-in-a-lifetime white wine blend

The 2023 vintage marked a once-in-a-century occurrence for Victorian wine producer Tahbilk - and not in a good way.

At Tahbilk, they like to say that every bottle tells a story, and in the case of the 2023 Tahbilk Flood Blend, the story is a cracker.

Back in October 2022, Tahbilk's estate vineyards suffered a once in a lifetime flood, which affected the vines, impacted yields for the current harvest, and destroyed parts of the vineyard.

The result was the new-release Flood Blend, which is made from whatever fruit could be salvaged from the flooded vines - eight different varieties - and will never be replicated again.

Jo Nash, Tahbilk chief winemaker and general manager, describes the wine as "a story of survival".

"This wine is not only a representation of the season, but also speaks to the wonderful Tahbilk team," Nash says.

"Some of the things we saw, we endured and we had to deal with at that time, are memories that will stay with us for ever. It was a moment in time, that changed us, and through all the devastation, tears and disaster, we as Tahbilk, remembered what was special to us, and you know we just got on with it.

"I have been lucky enough to make a lot of wines over the years, but I don’t think there is a wine that I have been more proud of. This wine represents resilience, determination and dedication; it represents the wonderful people here on the estate, that I am privileged to work with on a daily basis."

And guess what? It is a very nice wine indeed. 

Fresh, crisp and blessed with brisk acidity, it is ideal for immediate consumption, preferably served chilled.

This "wine of resilience and storytelling" retails for $21.95 and can be source at www.tahbilk.com.au.

Wine industry icon honoured

One of the leading figures in the Australian wine industry was recognised by his peers today - and named a Legend of the Vine.  

Alister Purbrick from Tahbilk was named a Victorian Legend of the Vine in front of a large crowd of his wine industry associates at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards Lunch. 

The award recognises his lasting contribution to the industry.

His roles have included president of the Winemakers Federation (1999-2001, now called Australian Grape & Wine), being the inaugural chairman of Australia’s First Family of Wines (2006-2010). 

He was given the Len Evans Wine Industry Leadership Award in 2012 and has been chief executive of his family-owned wine business, Tahbilk Group, since 1978. He stepped down as CEO last year. 

He helped make Tahbilk one of the most environmentally sustainable wine producers in the world.

“Alister has played an integral role in the Australian wine industry for so many years," said WCA national executive chairman Angus Barnes. 

"He has helped shape the industry at many different levels and the fact that he continues to give his time to organisations like Australian Grape and Wine shows his true passion and dedication to Australia’s wine industry. 

"Alister is well known throughout the industry and today’s award will be celebrated across the country.”

Purbrick is the seventh person to be awarded Legend of the Vine status in Victoria, and the first since 2019, joining a national list that includes the likes of Ross Brown, Jeni Port, Brian Croser AO, Pam Dunsford, Tony Love, Brian Walsh, the late d’Arry Osborn, and Steve Flamsteed.

Changing of the guard at Tahbilk

Alister Purbrick (right) is standing down as head of Tahbilk - Victoria's oldest family-owned winery. 

And Tahbilk has gone outside the wine industry to appoint a replacement. 

Tahbilk, established in 1860, has been owned and operated by the Purbrick family since 1925. 

Fourth generation Alister Purbrick will retire in June and will be replaced as Chief Executive Officer by Ross Sudano. 

The press release describes Sudano as having "experience in disrupting existing markets". 

He has worked with familiar brands including Little Creatures Brewing, Anaconda Adventure Stores, BP Australia, Foodland Associated Limited and The Reject Shop.

His most recent role was as CEO and managing director of The Reject Shop Limited. He apparently "differentiates by employing a strong and inclusive approach to leadership". OK. 

Sudano (below) starts today.

Alister Purbrick is a well-known figure on the Australian wine landscape, having served on a number of industry boards and committees over the course of his career. 

This includes his role as the inaugural chair of Australia’s First Families of Wine, this country’s leading group of multi-generational wine families, established in 2009, and as past president of the Winemakers Federation of Australia (now Australian Grape & Wine Incorporated).

“After 43 years running my family businesses, Tahbilk and the Tahbilk Group, it’s time for me to pass the baton on," Purbrick said. 

"After an exhaustive recruitment process, overseen by a family and independent member panel, we welcome Ross and are certain that his extensive and proven business acumen and leadership skills will build on the successes achieved over 162 years of operation.”

Sudano will be based at Tahbilk’s corporate office in Melbourne with regular time spent overseeing operations based in the Nagambie Lakes region of Victoria.

Tahbilk has over 220 hectares under vine and produces around 120,000 cases of wine each year.  

A sustainable path for Victoria's oldest family owned winery

Tahbilk Winery, in the Nagambie Lakes region of Victoria, has long been committed to the environment, regenerating their internal wetlands and walking trails since 1995. This month sees the launch of an Indigenous Native Flora Walking Trail.

The trail will be opened on Wednesday, March 31, and is a collaboration between the Taungurung Land and Waters Council, the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Tahbilk.

The Indigenous Native Flora Walking Trail is the culmination of Hayley Purbrick’s (fifth generation at Tahbilk) vision and her engagement with the local community to bring it to fruition.

The trail is two kilometres long (approximately 30 minutes of walking time), features 12 highlighted native species and follows the existing short wetlands walking track.

Informative signs dot the track and a keepsake brochure features stunning artwork by local Taungurung Elder Mick Harding and species illustrations by Tahbilk-based artist Rosa Purbrick.

The re-vegetation program at Tahbilk plays an important part in Tahbilk’s sustainability credentials – they have been accredited CarboNZero since 2012 – it also has a role to play in the local tourism offering and community.

With Tahbilk already a well-visited tourism destination, the Indigenous Native Flora Trail joins the historic cellar door and original underground cellars, iconic vineyards, Wetlands View Restaurant and the extensive Wetlands Precinct as a welcome tourism addition.

“We’re so delighted to see the Indigenous Native Flora Trail come to be and I give huge thanks to our collaborators – the Taungurung Land and Waters Council and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority – whose experience, knowledge and wisdom were invaluable," says Hayley Purbrick.

"We could not have done it without them and I am glad they will be here to celebrate with us next Wednesday. We look forward to welcoming all community to Tahbilk, to learn more about our indigenous history.”

See www.tahbilk.com.au for more information.

Third time unlucky as winery's 160th birthday party is put on hold again

The 160th birthday celebrations for landmark Victorian winery Tahbilk have been put on hold for a third time as a result of Covid-19 lockdowns. 

Tahbilk, Victoria’s oldest family owned winery, was established in 1860 on the banks of the Goulburn River in the Nagambie Lakes region.

Two dates in 2020 - the first in August, then in December - to mark the winery's anniversary had to be scrapped and the latest Victorian lockdown has forced the Purbrick family to abandon celebrations planned for February 22-23. 

"It's with sadness and much frustration that we have decided to postpone this event for the third time but it's our intention to reschedule when vaccination roll out has been completed in Australia and we have entered a safe and stable post Covid-19 era," said CEO Alister Purbrick.

"We'll monitor the current Victorian outbreak and the vaccination roll out and confirm our intentions with regard to holding this event around July-August 2021.

"It's certainly been a rollercoaster ride."

The Tahbilk team and PR company Fireworks decided: "It's hard to predict what will happen in Victoria with the latest virus infection cluster and, even if the stage 4 lockdown is lifted next week, there may be restaurant/function space and/or number restrictions which will mean that the dinner scheduled for February 22 may have to be cancelled."

Purbrick added: “Clearly the pandemic has affected Tahbilk from a travel and tourism perspective, but the Tahbilk team are completely confident that these unforeseeable circumstances will see Tahbilk come back stronger than ever.

”What we have noticed is a shift towards the purchase of our premium portfolio, with our iconic 1860 Vines Shiraz and Old Vines Cabernet Shiraz being particularly popular. “