Australian Grape & Wine honours Di Davidson AM and Bruce Tyrrell AM as Life Members of the Australian Wine Industry.

by Caoimhe Hanrahan-Lawrence 17 November 2023

Davidson has been in the industry for more than 45 years and founded the highly regarded company Davidson Viticulture. The company provided consulting and management services to grape producers from 1987 to 2013. Davidson also served for nine years on the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation, and she is currently a presiding member of Murraylands and Riverland Landscapes Board. She has made a significant contribution to the industry through her work with vineyards and in her community.

As a fourth-generation winemaker, Tyrrell first joined his family’s business full time in 1974 and has been a key industry figure ever since. Established in 1858, Tyrrell’s has the joint honour of being Australia’s second oldest continually owned and operated family winery. In 2006, Tyrrell was recognised for his contribution to the Australian wine community with an Order of Australia Medal. His contributions have included improving grape quality, research, tourism, and export opportunities. In 2009, he was named a Hunter Valley Living Legend at the Hunter Valley Wine Industry Awards.

Australian Grape & Wine Chair, John Hart OAM, congratulated Davidson and Tyrrell on the recognition.

“This Award recognises outstanding leadership and contribution to the nation’s wine industry over and above an individual’s career achievements. Both Di and Bruce are incredibly worthy recipients, taking their place amongst other greats including Wolf Blass, Philip Laffer, Terry Lee, Jane Mitchell, and the late d’Arry Osborn, Brother John May and Peter Wall. Australian Grape & Wine is proud to administer this award,” Hart said.