Bruce Tyrrell AM has been named 2025 NSW Legend of the Vine to a standing ovation at an event hosted by Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) in partnership with the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW.
More than 230 guests were present at the 2025 Sydney Royal Wine Show Awards Lunch, where the trophy winners were announced from this year’s Sydney Royal Wine Show as well as the NSW Legend of the Vine.
The Legend of the Vine Award is presented by Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian wine industry and who epitomises the spirit and ethos of WCA to connect, develop, engage and inspire excellence in how they communicate about wine.
WCA NSW Chapter Co-Chair Markus Patz gave a heartfelt introduction as he revealed details of Tyrrell’s illustrious career. He noted the recipient’s degree in Agricultural Economics and ended on his use of colourful language. Patz also spoke of Tyrrell’s dedication to proving the age-worthiness of Hunter Valley Semillon and the superiority of screw caps; his community minded attitude as he supported a neighbouring winemaker struck by tragedy; and the many industry roles in which he has served and still serves. When he unveiled the 2025 recipient as Bruce Tyrrell, the room erupted in applause and the guests spontaneously rose from their seats in Tyrrell’s honour.
Tyrrell said: “My start in the industry was at age six, in the winery, helping my father clean out a vat. He wasn’t looking and got a bucket of skins and juice and tipped it over the side of the vat and I happened to be standing underneath. I wouldn’t go back to the winery for three months (until my mother sent me back).”
He also reflected on the importance of family and mateship in the wine industry.
“The other important thing for me is my family and remaining as a family business. We’re the guts of Australian business,” he said.
“It is the families that run our industries. We are all mates. Our industry is full of that. There are people here that I started dealing with 50 odd years ago. There are some of us who’ve been around long enough to know that it’s our job to make our industry stronger. That’s the most important thing. Make your industry stronger, make it better, and make sure you’ve got people coming through who can carry it on.”
WCA National Chair Lynda Schenk said: “Bruce Tyrrell is a true Legend of the Vine. He has been a driving force for the Hunter Valley for decades, particularly for Semillon. His passion for Australian wine and the Hunter Valley is evident in all that he does. He communicates frankly, which is endearing, and has been a mentor to countless people over the years. He has received many accolades, and it was time for Wine Communicators of Australia to tip our hat to Bruce Tyrrell with this 2025 NSW Legend of the Vine award.”
Bruce Tyrrell is the thirteenth person to receive the NSW Legend of the Vine Award. He joins a prestigious list that includes Sally Evans, Liz Riley, Andrew Caillard MW, Sandra Przibilla, Lyndey Milan, Huon Hooke, Clive Hartley, Iain Riggs, Rob Hirst, David Lowe, Philip Laffer and Chris Anstee.