Our Wine History

When a Picture tells a Thousand Words....

ian and linda archive

Ian and Linda Tyrer at the begining of their dream Galafrey Wines. Early 1980's

family archive ian barrell

Where Does the name Galafrey Come From? Premium Wine Brands, Australian Wine Industry

alt Back in 1980 the Western Australian government were printing a map of the 'new' wine industry so we had to come up with a name for this. Galafrey Wines is a family owned business, our surname ˜Tyrer was too hard for people to say (correctly!) or any reference to geographical location was either taken or unpronounceable.

So we got a blackboard and had everyone put suggestions for a name on it. Later we had a dinner party with some of the original winemakers of the district and after copious amount of red wine, we thought Galafrey was the best! The name Galafrey comes from Dr Who. Gallifrey is the home planet of the time lords hence Doctor Who,

we changed the spelling so the BBC would not sue us! Galafrey, if broken into two- Gala is Greek for joyous and Frey- a Nordic god of happiness, harvest, love, peace. So we believe it is a nice sounding name.

Galafrey was asked by the Dr Who Fan Club in London to produce the 1987 Chardonnay with an export label with a tardis on it specially for them. And of course we get lots of fans coming to our cellar.

GALAFREY WINES LABEL STORY, Premium Wine Brands, Australian Wine Industry

What has prompted each change? Changing fashions, wholesalers demands but a lot of the design decision was based on the technology that was available in printing labels at the time. It wasn't until our third label that labels became self adhesive.

FIRST LABEL Label One

1980- our first label we had for only one vintage. It was printed at the local printers hence only one colour as that's all they could do and they were hand labeled with shearer's glue. The logo was designed by Linda Tyrer, the owner of Galafrey.

Galafrey Wines - A Personal Story, Premium Wine Brands, Australian Wine Industry

Galafrey Wines remains a family-owned business and all wines are grown, nurtured and bottled on the estate in Mount Barker WA. Established by Ian Tyrer (1946-2003). Galafrey Wines is survived by mother and daughter team, Linda and Kim Tyrer. Linda and Kim maintain a hands-on role to ensure that the Galafrey philosophy is upheld.

When Ian Tyrer first moved to Mount Barker to set up Galafrey Wines he made an agreement with his Melbourne-born wife Linda. He said after six months he would ask her if she liked what they were doing and if she did not they would move back east. He never asked that question!

Ian and linda looked for a suitable block for a vineyard all over WA sampling soils before choosing a site 10km west of Mount Barker. They dug so many holes it's a wonder the state doesn't leak!

The George Mulgrave Award 2003, Ian Tyrer Galafrey wines, Premium Wine Brands, Australian Wine Industry

CONGRATULATIONS TO IAN TYRER

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The Winner of the Wine Press Club's

The George Mulgrave Award 2003

This award is nominated and awarded by the wine industry to someone for outstanding service to the wine industry. It was presented at the Annual Wine Press Club Royal Perth Show lunch . Ian received a standing ovation by his peers, Ian is one of the pioneers of the Great southern wine industry. Moved to Mt Barker in 1977, with his wife was pregnant with Kim and a truck load of furniture, starry eyed, enthusiastic, he was ready to start a new life. Far away from computers into this new thing called grape