Winter Newsletter

Posted on July 03, 2013 by Matthew Tyrrell

Hello Everyone,

The cooler weather is here, the vines are dormant and the leaves are turning a beautiful mix of yellows and reds and oranges. The first frost recently whitened the lawn out the front of the homestead.

Vale Bob Tyrrell – 1937-2013

Many of our readers will have heard that Bob passed away on April 3. He will be sorely missed by the family and his many friends.

Bob had just finished harvesting the last row of Cabernet vines when he had a massive heart attack. He was taken too early, but he went doing what he loved – tending the vineyard and bringing in the final crop for the year.

I have been overwhelmed by hundreds of condolence cards, gifts and letters. For a while the homestead was so well-stocked with beautiful floral tributes that it looked rather like a florist’s shop.

I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to all those who have been so thoughtful. The funeral service, held on April 11, was attended by hundreds of family, friends and former business colleagues.

We’re open for business

Despite the trials of the past few months, Dry Ridge is open for business and we invite everyone to come down and see us.

It took a few weeks to recover normal operations after we lost Bob but now we’re beginning to get back on track. The weather is beautiful in the Valley at this time of the year, cool, clear and sunny, and it’s nice to see families basking in the sun, enjoying a picnic and tasting the latest from the cellar.

The 2013 vintage

The 2013 vintage had its challenges due to the rains in the middle of the traditional picking season but we managed to pick both Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling this year - Bob’s last gift to the Estate and currently fermenting in large vats and we expect bottling to start in the next few months. This year we have made the Lady Barbara Riesling, the Blue Mountains Riesling, and the Nellie’s Cabernet Rosé.

The Cellar Door

The cellar door pavilion has been repaired after the massive lightning strike that took out the glass wall on the Eastern side. The pavilion is a nice warm place to be on a winter’s day, sitting in the sun and admiring the escarpment off to the East. In the afternoon, when the sun has dipped down, the heating comes on and it becomes a different type of cosy.

Geri Rigg will be at the cellar door highlighting her Megalong Gold olive oils. She has two varieties derived from Leccino and the other from Frantoio. These are beautiful full flavoured oils that will impress even the most discerning olive oil fans.

Coming up

We’re planning to revive the Club Meg wine club as one of our first priorities. We‘re sure that our members will understand the short hiatus we’re having. More news will be sent to members when plans for the resumption are finalised.

Best Regards,

Barbara Tyrrell