100 Things About Tahbilk Winery You Probably Don’t Know
2025 is a big year for Tahbilk Winery, as it is the 100 year milestone of Purbrick family owning the estate! A big congratulations to all those who have made Tahbilk into the brand it is today.
If you have followed me since I started my wine blog back in 2010, then you will have seen numerous mentions and tasting notes about Tahbilk here on the blog alongside on my social channels.
As Victoria’s oldest family-owned winery, Tahbilk is steeped in stories—some celebrated, some quirky, and many you’ve probably never heard before.
From century-old Marsanne vines to whispers of ghosts in the underground cellars, Tahbilk is more than just a place to sip wine—it’s a living, breathing piece of Australian wine history.
So, whether you’re a long-time Tahbilk fan or just discovering their wines, join me as I uncover 100 fascinating, surprising, and little-known facts about Tahbilk Wines. Trust me, by the end of this list, you’ll be planning your next visit (if not already halfway out the door)!
Heritage & History
- Tahbilk Estate was established in 1860, making it Victoria’s oldest family-owned winery.
- The name “Tahbilk” derives from the local Aboriginal Taungurung word “tabilk-tabilk”, meaning “place of many waterholes”.
- The winery still uses its original underground cellars built in the 1860s, made from hand-dug local clay and timber.
- Tahbilk was one of the first wineries in Australia to export to London in the 1870s.
- The original 19th-century winery buildings are classified by the National Trust and are still in use today.
- The original homestead on site was partly built from a relocated 1838 police
barracks. - Before being purchased by Reginald Purbrick in 1925, the estate was on the market for over 19 years.
- The spelling changed from “Tabilk” to “Tahbilk” in 1877 to improve export appeal in Europe.
- The 1875 built cellars took 8 weeks total to build (from the first shovel of dirt to the final brick laid).
- The estate’s original winemaking buildings and cellars still stand and are in use.
- Reginald Purbrick purchased Tahbilk sight unseen while serving as a British MP.
- Eric Purbrick joined in 1931 and alongside Len Evans introduced dry table wines and varietal labelling to the Australian market, rather than adopting is European regional counterpart.
- The 1960 centenary was attended by Prime Minister Robert Menzies, who sealed two bottles in a cellar wall.
- Menzies used the same trowel as the one used to lay the original cellar stone in 1876.
- It snowed at Tahbilk Winery in 1986.
- Alister Purbrick became winemaker in 1978 at age 24 and continued family
traditions. - Alister Purbrick was the inaugural chairman of Australia’s First Families of Wine, launching in 2009
- Alister won the Len Evans Leadership Award in 2012.
- Alister was awarded Legend of the Vine in 2023.
- Alister Purbrick (5th Generation Tahbilk family member), awarded Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to the Wine Industry in 2025.
- Eric Stevens Purbrick’s ashes are scattered amongst the 1860 Shiraz Vines.
- Eric Stevens Purbrick started the Tahbilk Newsletter in 1971.
Wines & Winemaking
- Tahbilk has one of the largest single holdings of Marsanne in the world, some of which were planted in 1927.
- Their 1927 Vines Marsanne is made from original vines and is highly sought after by collectors.
- Tahbilk Shiraz & Cabernet Sauvignon are aged for at least 18 months before being released.
- Tahbilk has some of the oldest shiraz vines in the Southern Hemisphere (singular clone).
- The 1860 Shiraz vines are among the oldest productive pre-phylloxera vines in the world.
- It is thought that the 1860’s Shiraz vines survived Phylloxera because they are
planted on some of the only sandy soils found on the estate. (Phylloxera cannot survive in sandy soil). - There are over 25 different grape varietals planted on the estate. These include Grenache, Fiano, Albarino, Mourvèdre, Tempranillo, Viognier, Roussanne, and more.
- A small planting of Cabernet Franc, dating from 1985, exists among Cabernet
Sauvignon blocks. - ESP Shiraz evolved from Bin 11 and Reserve labels, first released under that name in 2002.
- Tahbilk’s traditional open vats and underground cellars are still used in red wine production.
- The Cane Cut Marsanne makes a seriously delicious ‘Sticky Spritz’
- Marsanne was served at the 1953 Coronation luncheon of Queen Elizabeth II.
- In 1956, Tahbilk wines were listed at London’s Savoy Hotel.
- The Flood Blend Wine 2023 was made as a result of the 2022 floods which had the majority of the vines underwater (this is absolutely delicious by the way, my family, friends and I have consumed plenty of it!).
- Alister introduced stainless steel and white wine-focused winemaking in the 1980s.
- Jo Nash became the first female and non-family GM in 2021.
- Tahbilk’s Marsanne current vintage has been honoured with the Best Value ‘Other Varietal White Wine’ award at the Dan Murphy’s Best in Glass Awards 2025.
- Tahbilk wines have won over 1,000 national and international awards.
- After Eric Stevens Purbrick retired from winemaking he ran front of house (cellar door) until his passing in 1991.
- Tahbilk cellar door opened on 13th November 1969.
- George Comi worked at Tahbilk from 1936 – 1986, modernising Tahbilk and
mentoring winemakers. - The George Comi Cellars were opened in 1975 in his honour.
Sustainability & Environment
- Tahbilk has a unique climate, the property is 1200 hectares total, but only 300
hectares is under vine. - Nagambie Lakes has its our own GI code within the Goulburn Valley Wine Region recognised by wine Australia and are 1 degree cooler than anywhere else in the Goulburn Valley given their terroir.
- Tahbilk was one of the leading pioneers in sustainability in the wine industry.
- Tahbilk was certified Carbon Neutral in 2012.
- In 2023, the estate was declared “Naturally Net Zero”—offsetting emissions entirely onsite.
- Hayley Purbrick led the sustainability effort, joining the business in 2009.
- Hayley was inducted into the Melb Food & Wine Festival Hall of Fame in 2022, for all her work on sustainability.
- Over 160 hectares have been revegetated with native plants for biodiversity and carbon offset.
- The estate uses cover crops to reduce soil compaction and attract pollinators.
- Solar panels now provide about one-third of the winery’s power.
- Heat-reflective paint is used on roofs to reduce energy demand.
- Water-efficient irrigation systems have been installed across the estate.
- Tahbilk has been a participant in Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
- The Tahbilk Insectarium, planted in 2015, supports beneficial insect life
- Nagambie Lakes has its our own GI code within the Goulburn Valley Wine Region recognised by wine Australia and are 1 degree cooler than anywhere else in the Goulburn Valley given their terroir.
- The wetlands and Goulburn river provide a unique cooling effect on the vineyards, as Tahbilk’s vineyard are 1 of only 8 wine regions in the world that is this dramatically influenced by water.
- The Goulburn weir was built in 1891, joining separate waterholes into a permanent wetland.
Cellar Door & Estate
- The Tahbilk Cellar Door opened on 13th November 1969.
- The Tahbilk Estate Restaurant offers wetland views and a menu featuring local
produce. - The Tahbilk Wetlands include 6km of boardwalk and walking trails, open to visitors.
- Wine blending workshops are available for guests to craft their own red wine.
- The Cellar Door is housed in historic winery buildings from the 1860s.
- The estate hosts a Farmer’s Market every fourth Sunday of the month in the Cellar Door Yard, where you can shop & listen to live music, all while having a glass of wine.
- The 1882 tower, which you see as you drive in, remains an iconic landmark and photo spot.
- The homestead garden includes historic plane trees planted in the 19th century.
- The vineyard layout includes row names for long-serving team members.
- You can reach Tahbilk by boat via the Goulburn River (an uncommon winery arrival method!)
Fun, Quirky & Surprising
- The 1860 Shiraz vines sit on sandy soils that naturally repel phylloxera.
- The wetlands hold some of the largest First Nations cooking mounds in Victoria.
- Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries was filmed at Tahbilk in Season 2, Episode 10.
- The winery has featured in multiple Australian TV food & wine specials including Farmer Wants a Wife and Country House Hunters.
- Eric Purbrick once rowed over the vineyard during the 1934 floods without touching a vine.
- The wine cache found in 1947 contained drinkable bottles from 1875.
- Tahbilk has many ghost stories, some claim to have a seen a woman in white
period clothing wandering the cellars. - You uncover the secrets of Tahbilk’s historic buildings with an exclusive paranormal investigation led by Dolly Adamson, from Kyneton Paranormal, run most months at Tahbilk.
- Eric started the Tahbilk Newsletter in 1971, later evolving into the Wine Club.
- Alister was once tipped to enter politics before becoming a winemaker.
- Wines have been poured in Qantas First Class and on luxury cruise ships.
- The underground cellars stay cool naturally all year round.
- The Len Evans Museum on site celebrates a lifelong friend of the estate.
- Tahbilk wines have been described by critics as “underpriced classics” for their ageability.
- Tahbilk is the only winery in the world to produce Marsanne at this scale, with a carbon-neutral certification, and five generations of continuous family ownership.
- There are lots of plaques around the estate with famous names on them including Prime Minister Robert Menzies
- They have a lovely tradition of naming buildings for long serving staff.
- Tahbilk is a 5 Star Halliday Winery.
- Some of the trees cleared from the Goulburn Valley Highway Bypass were brought to Tahbilk to be placed in the Wetlands. This created a natural habitat for the endangered native cat fish species repopulating in the wetlands.
- The Estate was once a town.
- We have a death roll of people who have passed away on the estate (not sure how fun this fact is – but it is definitely interesting!).
- The wetlands use to be individual watering holes until the Goulburn Weir was
damned in 1891. The wetlands became one continuous water way and has never dried out. - Over 100-year-old Mulberry tree’s line Tahbilk’s driveways.
- The mulberry trees were planted in hopes of establishing a silk worm industry.
Unfortunately, the wrong species of Mulberry trees were planted. - Many of the plaques at the Estate have bottles of wines buried behind them.
- There are bottle labels from the 1940s preserved in their archives with hand-drawn illustrations.
- Tahbilk has an eco-boat which runs tours on the wetlands.
- Tahbilk are giving away Wine Diamonds. Every wine purchase at Tahbilk Cellar Door this year receives a free bottle of Diamond Cane Marsanne.
And drum roll for the big 100th..
To celebrate 100 years of Purbrick family ownership, Tahbilk is releasing six limited edition wines. Each is a tribute to the estate’s terroir, winemaking legacy, and rich family history. Sourced from the museum cellars, these rare drops embody a century of passion and craft. Available exclusively at the Cellar Door and through the Wine Club, while they last!
Check out the limited edition wines here.
Please note this post was completely fact checked with Tahbilk to double check everything is correct and I am not spreading any rumours through the grapevine!
