Bruce Tyrrell AM

Born 1951
Fourth Generation
Executive Chairman

The Tyrrell family has been producing outstanding wines in the Hunter Valley since 1858; Tyrrell’s is the equal second-oldest continuously owned and operated family winery in Australia.

Bruce graduated from the University of New England in 1973 with a Bachelor of Agricultural Economics. He has had a broad range of involvement in the wine industry, including serving as a Director of the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association and the Hunter Valley Research Foundation.

In 2006, Bruce was recognised as a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia (AM), in recognition of his contribution to the Australian wine industry – in particular his efforts to improve grape quality, research, tourism and export opportunities. In 2009, he was named a Hunter Valley Living Legend at the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards. The same year, Tyrrell’s was named Australian Red Winery of the Year by Gary Walsh and Campbell Mattinson. Tyrrell’s was also named Australian Winery of the Year by James Halliday in his 2010 Australian Wine Companion.

In 2012, Tyrrell’s Vat 1 Semillon and Vat 9 Shiraz were the inaugural winners of the Wines of Provenance award at the Hunter Valley Wine Show. In 2016, Bruce received the Graham Gregory Award in recognition of his services to the NSW wine industry. The following year, Bruce was recognised by his peers for his significant contribution to the Hunter Valley wine industry, presenting him with the Hunter Valley Award for Excellence. And in 2023, Bruce was honoured as a Life Member of the Australian Grape and Wine Industry. This award recognises outstanding leadership and contribution to the nation’s wine industry over and above an individual’s career achievements.

Tyrrell’s continually works to maintain its position as one of Australia’s pre-eminent family-owned wine companies, producing wines that are not only of the highest quality, but perhaps more importantly, are wines that people love to drink.

Bruce and Pauline Tyrrell’s three children, Jane, John and Christopher, all currently work in the business. They grew up on the Tyrrell winery and estate, just as their father and grandfather did. Today, they are instrumental in directing Tyrrell’s as a modern Australian wine company, leading it into the fifth generation. Bruce’s grandchildren Henry and Edward were born in 2016 and 2018 respectively to Bruce’s youngest son Christopher and his wife Tegan. Henry and Edward are the sixth generation to be born and raised on the Tyrrell Family Estate.