The Purbrick family has owned Tahbilk, a winery and vineyard in Victoria, Australia, for 100 years. The property was purchased by Reginald Purbrick in 1925 and has been passed down through five generations of the family. Eric Purbrick, Reginald’s son, inherited Tahbilk in the 1930s and dedicated his career to revitalizing the business, establishing marketing and distribution networks and promoting the brand. He was successful in returning the quality and consistency of the wine to that of its golden age in the 1880s. Alister Purbrick, Eric’s son, also dedicated his career to Tahbilk, modernizing the winemaking techniques and leading the winery for over 45 years. He and Eric have both been instrumental in maintaining the wine’s pedigree and producing sophisticated, long-lasting wines.
Tahbilk Estate is located in the Nagambie Lakes region of Victoria, Australia, which is known for its warm climate and abundance of lakes and waterways. These bodies of water act to mitigate the heat and reduce climate variability in the region, making it an ideal location for grape growing. The Nagambie Lakes region has been recognized by Wine Australia as distinct from the broader Goulburn Valley region due to its unique soil type, which is rich in iron oxide (Duplex 2.2), and its proximity to large bodies of water. This soil type has a positive effect on grape quality and gives the wines produced in the region a defined character. Tahbilk Estate is one of only eight wine regions in the world that are dramatically influenced by large bodies of water, which protect the fruit from spring frosts and allow it to ripen consistently.
Tahbilk Estate is home to 200 hectares of heritage vineyards, including the largest single planting of Marsanne and some of the oldest Shiraz plantings dating back to 1860. The estate’s old vineyards are carefully managed to ensure that they can continue to produce high quality grapes for generations to come. These include the incredibly rare pre-phylloxera Shiraz vines planted in 1860, which are known as some of the oldest productive Shiraz vineyards in the world. Tahbilk also produces a single vineyard release, the Tahbilk “1860 Vines” Shiraz, from these vines. The estate is also home to the oldest and largest single planting of Marsanne in the world, with vines that were planted in 1927. The Marsanne grape originates from the northern Rhone in France and thrives in the rich, ferric soils of the Nagambie Lakes region. Tahbilk produces a single vineyard release, the Tahbilk “1927 Vines” Marsanne, from these vines. The estate’s old vine Cabernet Sauvignon plantings date back to 1948 and are carefully managed to ensure their continued health.
In addition to their work in winemaking, the Purbrick family has also been focused on sustainability. They have been at the forefront of sustainable wine tourism since the 1990s, seeking to minimize negative impacts on the environment and increase positive impacts, such as job creation and cultural heritage preservation. Their efforts have been recognized with awards such as Carbon Neutral certification and being named a finalist in the United Nations World Tourism Awards for Sustainable Wine Tourism. The family is committed to continuing their sustainable practices and protecting Tahbilk’s heritage for future generations.
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Amavas M
a week agoThis is a really cool winery to visit with so much on site to see & do. We loved how well kept this place is. Modern yet 1800’s setting & a lot of history. The a trip down the big stairs into the original cellar to check out the massive mine barrels. It really was amazing to explore. Not big wine drinkers but the complementary tastings was fun. Customer service was very nice also, the restaurant was beautiful and although we didn’t dine in we did grab a hot drink to take with us for a walk around the wetlands. Great way to spend a few hours with the family. It was a little gloomy on our visit but would love to come again during spring / summer time.
Mark Powell
a month agoTahbilk Winery is a stunning old winery built around the 1860s. The original building were built the wood from large gum trees sauced from the property. The restaurant is so relaxing nestled on the edge of the billabong in amongst the gum trees. Great location, fabulous ambiance. The food is delicious using all fresh local produce. The staff are friendly and Sara helped us select our food and matching wine. We went with friends and had a spectacular long lazy lunch at this fabulous location. I would definitely recommend visiting the cellar door and then enjoy a sumptuous lunch.
Cathy Ho
3 months agoI had the pleasure of visiting one of the oldest family-owned wineries in Australia. Set against a backdrop of rolling vineyards, this winery not only boasts an impressive selection of wines but is steeped in history, offering a unique experience that is as educational as it is enjoyable. The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the historical building that houses the winery. With its rustic architecture and vintage charm, the structure tells a story that spans generations. Walking through the hallways filled with aged oak barrels and vintage wine-making equipment, I felt as if I had taken a step back in time.
Daniel C
3 weeks agoI recently visited Tahbilk Winery for a wine tasting with my girlfriend, and it was an unforgettable experience! Lachlan led our tasting session, and his professionalism and passion for wine truly stood out. He shared fascinating insights about the winery, which is the oldest wine family in Australia, and its rich history only added to the experience. The winery cellar is stunning and steeped in history, creating a beautiful backdrop for our tasting. Autumn added a magical touch with breathtaking views all around. If you’re looking for a memorable wine experience, I highly recommend visiting Tahbilk. Thank you, Lachlan, for an amazing day!
Eris Fink
a month agoThe cellar door in unique in its history, you can explore the still working cellars from 1860! Impressive ambience. Unfortunately we were disappointed with the service. We pre booked a wine tasting and yet still had to wait 30 mins to be served. It seemed quite disorganised and slow. Once we were served the staff were knowledgeable and friendly but the wait was not a good start. We were given 2 free glasses of wine as an apology which was a nice gesture. If you are visiting here, allow plenty of time!!