In The Spotlight is a new feature we're running to introduce our members some of the best winemakers in Australia and New Zealand.
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First up is Kim Tyrer from Galafrey Wines in Mount Barker.
Why did you want to start making wine? What inspired you?
When I was 26 my father sat me down to talk about his
succession plan. In 10 years he’d be 65 and wanted to be retired. So he
wanted to either gear Galafrey up to be sold or create a managed
position so that I could take over. Of course my whole life had been
about Galafrey and I couldn’t bear to sell it, so I agreed to learn the
business and take over in ten years time.
Unfortunately my father was dianogised with cancer 3 months later and he passed away.
Since then I have been on the biggest learning curve of
my life and am often amazed how well I have done. My inspiration is my
passion for Galafrey, this beautiful property we live on and the desire
to continue to build Galafrey Wine.
What did you do before you started making wine?
I was a successful visual artist. I had many exhibitions,
won prizes and sat on art and regional development boards both at a
state and federal level.
Where is your favourite place to visit to drink wine?
My couch…he!he!he! Big Glass of Red, blue cheese,
roaring fire while reclining after a hard days work on my leather
lounge.
If you could do anything other than making wine, what would it be?
Visual artist. Interesting I find wine very creative and I
am very visual towards all aspect of wine. At the beginning of art you
have a blank canvas. At the beginning of wine you have grape juice. The
way you mould and structure a wine, certain tannins, techniques etc,
each decision takes you down a different path and leads to a different
result. You build a wine through structure, tannins, fruit and length.
If you were a wine variety, what would you be and why?
Malbec, strong, loud and proud with a hint of greenness.
What would you call your biggest achievement?
2006 Merlot 93/100 James Halliday, our highest scoring
red wine and most popular/successful: I was a big part of that.
What was it about wine that made you want to start producing it?
I love that you start with something so simple as grape juice and make something so complicated as wine.
What are you looking forward to getting involved in over the next three months?
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A mentoring program with the Ag Dept, helping young
people in regional areas access a mentor to help with their business
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A netball grand final: will we ever beat the Jokers, last years winners?
-
New 2010 whites and some new orders in the pipeline
Do you have a role model/someone who has inspired you significantly in the wine industry?
My father, a great man. He was passionate about his life
and worked very hard. He loved a beer at the end of a hard day work and
often at wine festivals people would ask him why a winemaker was
drinking beer. His response is legendary: "I make wine to make money to
buy beer!"
Where is your favourite wine destination (Australia or overseas)?
I am hoping one day to make to China. We sell wine there
and I would love to go there and see where our wine is sold and the
Chinese wine market.
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