100 Years of the Purbrick Family & Tahbilk: Celebrating a Five-Generation Legacy
Reginald Purbrick – 1st Generation
From early prosperity since its founding in 1860, by the late 1890s ‘Chateau Tahbilk’ had entered a period of decline …
Enter the Purbrick family in 1925 in the form of entrepreneurial gentleman and bon vivant Reginald Purbrick. On 18 June 1925 the Contract of Sale was signed between himself and The Chateau Tahbilk Pty Ltd for £44,879 (just on $4.5 million in today’s terms) taking possession of the Estate in October of that year.
Originally somewhat ambivalent about the property as a winery/vineyard operation, Reginald wrote at the time: “I don’t propose in the long run to hold this property but I am in no hurry to sell it … one of the boys might like to take it up …”
Eric Stevens Purbrick – 2nd Generation
One of the ‘boys’ did indeed take it up. In 1931, Reginald’s eldest son Eric Stevens at the age of 28 took on the role of General Manager and applied himself diligently to ‘cleaning up’ the vineyard and winery, reading a great deal and seeking the advice of friends and neighbouring vignerons.
By 1947 after a period of service during World War II, Eric took on the role of winemaker as well. One of the first to place his faith in the future of Australian table wines, Eric was at the forefront of varietal labelling in Australia. His name and influence on the Estate forever commemorated on the ‘Eric Stevens Purbrick’ best-of-a-vintage Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon releases.
John Purbrick – 3rd Generation
Eric was joined by his son John in 1955 who took on the management of the Estate farm. Moving to Sydney in 1979, John then ran the successful distribution of Tahbilk wines in NSW setting the agenda for future marketing initiatives.
Alister Purbrick – 4th Generation
John’s move to Sydney opened up the opportunity for his son Alister to become CEO in that same year. Alister become Tahbilk’s first qualified winemaker having completed oenology studies at Adelaide University’s Roseworthy Campus and it is his vision, dedication and work ethic that has shaped modern day Tahbilk.
Hayley Purbrick – 5th Generation
This ‘priceless inheritance’ … as coined by James Halliday to describe Tahbilk … continued with 5th generation Hayley Purbrick, Alister's daughter, entering the family business in 2009 having worked for Ernst & Young after finishing degrees in Agricultural Management, Commerce and Marketing. Hayley has been responsible for passionately driving Tahbilk’s environmental strategies including achieving carbon neutrality in 2012, an ongoing focus to this day.
The Purbrick family tradition of pride, hard work and love of good wine breathed, and continues to breathe life into Tahbilk, ensuring a sustainable legacy for generations yet to come.
