Much-loved Australian wine industry veteran dies

Mick Morris, a much-loved veteran winemaker and and one of the Australian wine industry's most respected figures, has died, his family reported today.

Mick (Charles Henry) Morris OAM, was 98.

Over a lifetime dedicated to his craft, he made an enduring contribution to the evolution and success of the Australian wine industry.

Mick Morris started his first official vintage as winemaker in 1953, quickly becoming a pioneer of durif (petite sirah)  as a table wine varietal, and was known for his world-class fortified wines.

His influence extended far beyond Rutherglen, where Morris Wines is based, helping shape Australian wine's reputation both at home and around the world.

"For all his achievements and honours, what those who knew Mick will remember most was the man himself," his son David and grandson Madden said in a media release.

"Mick was a fine, humble, immensely talented and extraordinarily generous person.

"He shared his knowledge freely, encouraged countless people throughout their careers, and remained deeply committed to his family, community and industry. His legacy will live on not only through the wines he helped create and the industry he helped shape, but through the many lives he touched along the way."

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, September 1. 

Mornington Peninsula wine pioneer remembered

The Mornington Peninsula wine community is this week mourning the death of pioneering winemaker and industry leader Nat White, who passed away peacefully after a long battle with illness.

Together with his wife Rosalie (with whom he is pictured above), White established Main Ridge Estate in 1975, helping lay the foundations for what would become one of Australia's most respected cool-climate wine regions.

A founding member of the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association and creator of the region's first licensed winery, he was known not only for his winemaking skill but also for his generosity, mentorship and willingness to support others.

Over five decades, White helped guide countless vineyard owners and winemakers, sharing knowledge freely and helping establish the collaborative culture for which the Mornington Peninsula wine community is known today.

Richard McIntyre of Moorooduc Estate recalled seeking Nat's help when preparing to make his first wines.

"I said, 'I have no idea how to make wine.' Nat said, 'I will hold your hand.' He did for many years."

Garry Crittenden of Crittenden Wines described Nat as the region's "acknowledged technical leader and founding father".

"Whenever I had a problem, I went straight to Nat - problem solved."

Martin Spedding of Ten Minutes By Tractor described Nat as "a giant in the story and development of Mornington Peninsula wine" and credited him with helping create the remarkable collegiate spirit that remains a defining characteristic of the region.

Nat White was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2017 for significant service to the Australian wine industry.

He is survived by Rosalie, their children Dominic and Annalise, and their families.

A private cremation will be held, with a celebration of Nat's life to be announced at a later date.

Victorian wine pioneer dies at age 86

Victorian wine pioneer Graeme Leith, co-founder of Passing Clouds, died this week at the age of 86.

His death was anmounced on the winery Facebook page. 

Leith, co-founder and winemaker until 2007, will be celebrated at Passing Clouds Winery in Musk, outside Daylesford, on May 15 at 3pm.

Former electrician and polymath Leith and his partner Sue Mackinnon hand-planted Passing Clouds at Kingower, outside Bendigo, in the early 70s. 

It proved a problematic site, and he and his son Cameron later transferred the whole operation to cool-climate Musk, in the Macedon Ranges.

The Passing Clouds website says: "In the early sixties he worked his way around Europe, finally tasting some superb wine in Italy, and the dye was cast.

"In semi-retirement Graeme finally put pen to paper and began documenting all his stories. In 2015 “Passing Clouds A Winemaker’s Journey” was published.

Leith retired to the Musk vineyard. He was a nice man.  

Passing Clouds is now operated by Cameron Leith and his wife Marion and family and is currently up for sale.   

Image: Passing Clouds, Facebook

New Zealand wine innovator dies

New Zealand winner innovator Peter Yealands has died at the age of 76.

"It's with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of our founder, Peter Yealands," Yealands Wines announced.

"After decades of groundbreaking work and a life dedicated to innovation, Peter leaves a legacy of bold thinking and environmental stewardship. His incredible career spanned construction, engineering, marine farming, agriculture, forestry, and viticulture."

It added: "Peter will be deeply missed, and we’ll continue to be guided by his motto 'Think Boldy, Tread Lightly, and never say it can't be done' in everything we do at Yealands."

I visited Yealands in Marlborough several years ago. He was a force of nature; proud of the use of baby doll sheep in the vineyards, and the use of music to encourage the vines to produce quality grapes.

Yealands, a self-made man who left school at 14, died in Blenheim over the weekend. No cause of death was given.

The winery said: "His curiosity and drive lead him to run many successful businesses in the construction, engineering, forestry, marine farming, agriculture and viticulture sectors.

"Over his extensive career, achievements included obtaining New Zealand’s first marine farming license and pioneering the development of mussel farming in the Marlborough Sounds, setting up Kaiuma Deer Estate, and designing ship buoys and life rafts for the maritime industry.

"In 1998 Peter developed his first vineyard in the Wairau Valley. Two years later, he purchased a block of land in the Awatere Valley and started developing the Yealands Seaview Vineyard.

"At the time, Seaview’s landscape of rugged, undulating terrain and wild coastal winds was considered unsuitable for grape growing, but Peter saw otherwise. 

"In the following years, Peter continued to purchase adjacent farmland to establish what is now one of New Zealand’s largest and most coastal single vineyard sites."

Yealands Estate Winery officially opened for business in 2008 - with a focus on sustainability but Yealands retired in 2018 when the business was taken over Marlbourough Lines.

Yealands Wine Group interim CEO Liam Kelly said: “While Peter hadn’t been involved with Yealands for some time, his legacy lives on in the business built through his inspiring vision and relentless determination.

"A number of our team members worked closely with Peter and still talk fondly about him. We extend our condolences to the family."

Wine industry pioneer dies at age of 95

UPDATE:  The memorial service for winemaking icon d'Arry Osborn will be held at d'Arry's Verandah on at 3.30pm on January 17, 2023, the family has announced.

Due to the high numbers anticipated, the ceremony will also be livestreamed.

Here is the link to RSVP for the memorial: https://www.darenberg.com.au/darryosborn

One of the pioneers of the modern Australian wine industry, d'Arry Osborn of d'Arenberg Wines, has died at the age of 95. 

Francis d'Arenberg Osborn, known throughout the wine industry as d'Arry, completed over 75 vintages at the family winery in McLaren Vale. 

His son, Chester, a fourth-generation family member, now runs the business.

The family said in a statement: "It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Francis d’Arenberg Osborn - better known and loved as d’Arry - at the age of 95.

"d’Arry was much loved by family, friends and wine lovers the world over as a great raconteur, regaling all with humorous stories gathered over a lifetime.

"A true statesman of the wine industry, d’Arry will be greatly missed by all at d’Arenberg.

"Wherever you are in the world, find a bottle with d’Arry’s famous red stripe and join us in raising a glass to a great man and a life well lived."

Born on the family property on December 27, 1926, to Francis Ernest and Helena d’Arenberg Osborn, he was given his mother’s name upon her death.

He started in the family winery at the tender age of 16, at a time when Clydesdale horses did the work of a tractor and kerosene-powered the motors and pumps.

Over his lifetime d’Arry oversaw more than 70 consecutive vintages at d’Arenberg. With the introduction of the famous ‘red stripe’ in 1959, d’Arry took d’Arenberg from bulk flagon production to an internationally recognised wine brand.

The 1968 d'Arenberg Cabernet Sauvignon won the Jimmy Watson Trophy in 1969.

d'Arry received multiple honours including the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1978.

In 1995 he was invested as a Patron of the Australian Wine Industry in “Honour of an outstanding contribution to the affairs of the Australian Wine Industry”.

A Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2004 Queen’s Birthday Honours list followed.

In 2016 he was awarded South Australian Legend of the Vine by Wine Communicators of Australia joining a prestigious group and becoming a life member of WCA.

d’Arry is survived by his two children, Chester and Jacki Osborn, and his three grandchildren Alicia, Ruby and Mia Osborn.

Mornington Peninsula wine pioneer mourned

Baillieu Myer

Baillieu Myer, the only surviving son of the founder of the Myer retailing dynasty Sidney Myer and a Mornington Peninsula wine pioneer, died over the weekend in the family home at Merricks, south-east of Melbourne. He was 96.

Myer and his wife Sarah established Elgee Park in 1955 and planted the vineyard 1972, leading the way for viticulture and winemaking on the Peninsula.

He was one of the founding members of the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association in 1982, which brought the region together with a collective vision and focus on building a successful wine industry.In 2021 the Myers launched the Dr Allan Antcliff Viticulturist of the Year Award to celebrate the work of winegrowers across the region.

"We are going to miss Bails and his love for the Mornington Peninsula, his thoughtfulness and his humour, as well the contribution to the growth and success of Mornington Peninsula Wine," the MPVA said in a statement.

Myer was the owner and vigneron at Elgee Park.

He is survived by his wife Sarah and three children.