Byrne Vineyards - Sustainable Diversity | Meininger's International

Over 3 generations, the Byrne family has created a unique wine business and is now one of the leading family winegrowers in Australia with around 700 hectares under vine, headed by brothers Rob and Terry Byrne.

The backbone of the business is the vineyards, managed by Terry. These are located in the picturesque Clare Valley and Riverland regions of South Australia and provide the diversity of style of its wines. Clare Valley is recognised as one of Australia’s best premium wine regions with its moderate climate and elevated position. The Clare Valley vineyards which are up to 70 years of age produce rich, elegant premium wines.

The Byrne’s Riverland vineyards produce the classic wine styles for which Australia is famous; rich, fruit driven wines and its largest vineyard, Scotts Creek, having been established by Australia’s most famous winemaker, Max Schubert, the pioneer of Australia’s flagship wine, Grange Hermitage. These vineyards are planted over a limestone base which moderates the yield of the vines and adds to the complexity of its wines.

A sustainable and healthy environment has been integral to the Byrne family ethos who are the custodians of a major wetland and nature park on their property the family cares for the lands which are home to many native animals and bird life. Over the last few years, several kinds of wild animals have returned, such as the rare growling grass frog, after which one of the wines was named. Elise Byrne is responsible for the natural environment and takes great pride in the preservation of this environment for future generations.

Byrne Vineyards produces a range of premium wines under its Thomson Estate, Scotts Creek, Devlin’s Mount and other labels. The philosophy of this is to offer a diversity of premium wines that meet the needs of its customer base, whether that be in Australia, Germany or China. The passion has purely driver has been to produce wines which the customers enjoy and the Byrne family has been rewarded with many international medals and accolades over the years. The Byrne Vineyards wine team has been strengthened with the addition of Phil Reedman, Master of Wine and former senior wine buyer of Tesco UK, now overseeing the Byrne’s wine production.

The Byrne family are ever looking to evolve, and developed another idea: The Tailored Wine Programme. In close cooperation with the vineyard, major customers are given the opportunity to customise wines for their own needs, with their own label, and in their own packaging – from vineyard to bottle. This is a unique opportunity for customers to work directly with the producer, right back to growing the grapes and knowing the land ... where the quality of the wine is determined.

The third generation is now actively involved in the business with Rob’s daughter Petria managing the diverse operational activities of the business from coordinating picking of grapes, planning the crush or organising bottlings. Grandson Will is already helping with picking the grapes ...!