2015 MUSEUM The Laughing Magpie
2015 MUSEUM The Laughing Magpie
An enticing mix of primary fruit characters entwined with flowers, ginger and stone fruit.
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Since 1912 the Osborn family have tended vineyards in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Today fourth generation family member, Chester, makes distinctive wines using traditional methods both in the vineyard and the winery.
Taking over the reigns as Chief Winemaker in 1984, Chester has focused his efforts on producing high quality and distinctive wines.
After leaving school aged 16 to work in the family winery, d'Arry has received many accolades for a lifetime of contributions to the Australian wine industry
Born in Truro, Cornwall, Joseph Rowe Osborn is the firstborn son of William and Elizabeth Osborn, who had emigrated to Victoria in 1854 and 1857 respectively. From the age of six, Joseph grew up in Richmond, Victoria.
An enthusiastic Australian rules footballer, Joseph Osborn plays for the Richmond football team from 1871 to 1874, and is club secretary in 1873.
Joseph Osborn, A J Diamond and H C Burnet start the Norwood Football Club. Joseph retains his connection with the club after his retirement from playing, serving as treasurer until 1895.
Despite being a teetotaller, Joseph Osborn joins Thomas Hardy Limited, Wine Merchants, as company secretary. Three years later, together with Hardy’s sons, he becomes a partner in the firm. He is appointed director when the company is renamed Thomas Hardy and Sons Limited in 1894.
Joseph Osborn marries Mary Jane Turnbull Stewart, at the Congregational Stow Memorial Church. The daughter of a hotelier, Mary was born in Port Adelaide on 11 September 1852, three years after her family arrived in South Australia from Liverpool.
Owing to Joseph’s ‘very deep interest in the affairs of the district’, he is elected to a seat on the Burnside District Council representing the Burnside ward. He is elected chairman of the council in 1892, a position he held until 1908.
Joseph and Mary Jane Osborn had four children. Their eldest child, Mary Elizabeth, was born on 21 April 1884; their second, Edward, was born in 1885 but died on 6 December 1888. Two more children followed: Francis Ernest (Frank) on 15 April 1888, Edith Florence on 21 February 1891.
Between 1895 and 1912, Joseph Osborn races horses under the fake name ‘J Rowen’, hiding his actions from his mother. Elizabeth Osborn held strong Methodist beliefs, and her son’s horse racing activities would have scandalised her. Joseph is very successful, amassing 72 wins and earning a considerable amount of money during this time.
After failing to obtain his medical degree due to ill health, Frank Osborn is encouraged to take up life on the land. Frank is pictured here with second year medical students at Adelaide University, middle row, far right. After this news, Joseph Osborn sells his stable of prize winning horses to purchase the d'Arenberg property in McLaren Vale, originally named Bundarra.
The first new vines are planted on the property, eight acres of Shiraz grapes, but only about four of the acres survive.
When first established in McLaren Vale, Frank Osborn bought a pair of grey horses and a four-wheeled, American-style buggy; he was very proud of this acquisition. But in early 1913, not to be outdone by his neighbour Frederick Shipster, the owner of the first motorcar in McLaren Vale, Frank buys a very impressive car. It is the very popular De Dion, and so begins a lifelong passion for motorcars.
Frank Osborn harvests his first vintage at the Bundarra property in McLaren Vale, a total of 100 tonnes, and the grapes reaching the ‘unheard of’ price of £20 per tonne.
Frank Osborn enlists in the Australian Imperial Force in August, four months after the disaster at Gallipoli. On 21 August an oak tree is planted at the McLaren Vale Recreation Ground for each of the men and a silver birch for each of the nurses who enlisted. The Adelaide Advertiser reports on 25 August that the McLaren Vale district has ‘furnished quite a number of volunteers for active service at the front, namely, three nurses, one chaplain and 27 soldiers’, which included F E Osborn.
After being promoted to Sergeant, Frank Osborn is transferred to the newly formed 43rd Battalion, along with 31 other officers, and sails to England. In the trenches, Frank’s health, already poor, is aggravated by the cold, wet weather and the appalling conditions; he is evacuated and admitted to hospital, finally returning to the family property in September 1917.
Soon after he returns from the war, Frank Osborn becomes involved in the RSL as a long-term member and foundation president of the McLaren Vale and District sub-branch. Frank is vice-president of the South Australian branch from 1934 to 1940 and serves on the committee for 20 years. He plays an instrumental role in the construction of the war memorial in front of the McLaren Vale Institute Hall in 1934.
With his health improving and his betrothal to Frances Helena (always known as Helen) d’Arenberg announced, Frank Osborn builds a bungalow-style house on the property, for the cost of £1400. For years it is one of only two tile-roofed houses in the area, the bathroom contains the latest technology – an inside toilet serviced by a septic tank.
Frank Osborn marries Helena d'Arenberg at St Peter’s College Chapel. Use of the school’s chapel is granted only in recognition that Helena’s grandfather had once been headmaster. Helena is an intelligent, accomplished and attractive woman. A keen pianist, she studied at both the Elder Conservatorium of Music, Adelaide, and Trinity College of Music, London.
In 1913 Joseph Osborn becomes seriously ill, never regaining full health, passing away in 1921, aged 67. Joseph did not survive long enough to see the birth of his first grandchild, Toni.
9 September, Toni Osborn is born at the Memorial Hospital, Adelaide. Jane was one of her Osborn grandmother’s names and Antoinette occurs in the d’Arenberg family. Helen likes the shortening of Antoinette to Toni, but her siblings find it difficult to pronounce as toddlers. Toni becomes ‘Tooks’ or, as Rowen prefers, ‘Toodie’. In return, Toni gives her brother the nickname ‘Tow’, but he insists on being called Rowen when he begins school. Toni is pictured here, aged seven, next to d’Arry and Rowen, aged two and four.
10 November, Rowen Osborn is born at the Wakefield Street Private Hospital, Adelaide. The heaviest of the Osborn children, he is named Rowen for his racehorse-owning grandfather and his great-great-grandfather Rowe; Frederick was his grandfather d’Arenberg’s first name. Rowen is pictured here, aged nine, next to Toni and d’Arry, aged 12 and seven.
Francis d’Arenberg Osborn is born at Wakefield Street Private Hospital, Adelaide. He is always known as d’Arry, in the same way Helen’s mother Eva d’Arenberg was always known as Mrs. d’Arry. Helen had been admitted to hospital a few days earlier before the birth, but had been discharged over Christmas to stay with Frank’s mother, Mary Osborn, in Adelaide.
Shortly after giving birth to d’Arry, Frank Osborn becomes concerned with Helen’s loss of colour and growing distress. He calls hospital staff, who find her hemorrhaging. Helen’s GP is called in from a golf game and a blood transfusion is arranged using Frank’s blood. Medical understanding of blood groups was not then as developed as it is now, and it seems the transfusion failed through incompatibility. Helen dies on the day her son was born, aged 31.
Following Helen’s death, Frank’s family are anxious that he should find someone suitable to care for the children. Frank’s sister Mary hears of an English nanny, Edith Athelstan Clark, contacting and interviewing her. Mary is very impressed and encourages Frank to hire her. Miss Clark, known by the family as ‘Mickie’, becomes part of the family, remaining with them until 1958.
Frank Osborn's brother-in-law, and wine industry mentor, Sam Tolley, encourages him to build a winery and produce his own wine. Frank is convinced, and spends some time at Ryecroft learning about winemaking. Tolley is largely responsible for the design of the winery, which is compact, with a row of nine five-ton open fermenting tanks, a block of 19 concrete storage tanks totalling some 40,000 gallons and hand-operated basket presses.
For his first vintage, Frank Osborn produces a heavy dry red table wine and a port, made entirely for the export market to cash in on the Commonwealth export bounty of four shillings per gallon. The wine is labelled ‘Bundarra Vineyards by F. E. Osborn & Sons’.
Frank Osborn never fully regains his health after the Great War. During 1942 he crushes no grapes at all, and production ceases until d’Arry leaves school at the age of 16 to work in the winery full time.
Ploughing the vineyards is hard work as the winery doesn’t have a tractor; instead they use six Clydesdale horses. Frank Osborn purchases the first rubber-tyred tractor in McLaren Vale after the war, a Farmall H, which is still on display at the winery to this day.
Like his father, d’Arry Osborn learns not to spend money unnecessarily, but he does invest in good equipment when needed. One new technology he embraces is the electrification of the production area. When grid electricity is connected to the winery, electric generators replace the old kerosene-run Delco generator.
25 January, After completing his arts degree at the University of Adelaide, Rowen Osborn becomes a diplomatic student at Canberra University College, graduating in March 1950. In 1955 Rowen meets Beverley Jean Gemmell of Deniliquin in Canberra through a mutual friend, they share a lift back to Adelaide and love blooms. They are married at Christ Church, Victoria, before Rowen is posted to Dutch New Guinea.
Frank Osborn spends his final days at the Southern Districts War Memorial Hospital and passes away on 3 August. After many years of illness, his death isn’t unexpected, his obituary in the Australian Brewing and Wine Journal characterises him first as a respected pioneering vigneron of the district.
d’Arry Osborn marries Pauline Rowland Preston. Pauline’s name was known in Adelaide; she was the daughter of Alan Preston, of the firm Coulton, Palmer & Preston of Weymouth Street. Pauline and d’Arry had been friends for many years. Before their marriage Pauline, who trained as a physiotherapist, had travelled around the world. She had a distinguished career in London, treating such famous people as Dame Margot Fonteyn, the Duke of Norfolk and other members of the royal family.
The arrival of Pauline and d’Arry Osborn’s first child is cause for great celebration in McLaren Vale. d’Arry is well known in wine circles, so it isn’t a surprise to see the birth reported in the Australian Brewing and Wine Journal.
Named in honour of his late mother, d’Arry Osborn launches his own wine label with a distinctive red stripe, inspired by happy memories of his school days at Prince Alfred College, where he wore the crimson-and-white striped school tie. d’Arry also designs the family crest, featuring the Latin phrase Vinum vita est which translates to ‘Wine is Life’, hence the fertility symbol in the top right corner and grapes in the opposite corner.
Hailed by d’Arry Osborn as a good start to the financial year, Chester is born on 1 July. The Australian Wine, Brewing and Spirit Review announces: '…births in the wine industry in S.A. recently have been the cause of rejoicing. Mr and Mrs d’Arry Osborn of McLaren Vale, had their second child, a son, Chester d'Arenberg … boasting the unusual length of 22 inches.’
A 19th century hydraulic Coq basket press is purchased from Yalumba and installed at d’Arenberg. To this day traditional winemaking methods are still used, and from entry level to iconic, all d’Arenberg wines are basket pressed, with all red ferments foot trod during fermentation.
To attract visitors and increase sales, d'Arry Osborn builds d'Arenberg's first tasting room. d’Arry also purchases five more wooden vats to keep up with the expanding production, and extensions are made to the cellar and house.
The d'Arenberg property was purchased in 1912 and Frank Osborn named it ‘Bundarra’, trading under that name until 1953. In 1965 d’Arry receives a letter from the Bailey family who owned a well-established winery of Glenrowen, Victoria called Bundarra, informing F. E. Osborn & Sons that they had applied for trademark protection. d’Arry is prepared to let the name go and by mutual agreement, the use of the name ‘Bundarra’ for the property ceases.
d'Arry Osborn builds a new tasting room to accommodate the ever increasing numbers of visitors. To keep up with the growth of the winery, d’Arry also purchases three more wooden vats. That tasting room still stands, and is now used as the winery laboratory.
Only one month after Neil Armstrong’s historic walk on the moon, in August 1969, Toni, Rowen and d’Arry Osborn and families were themselves walking on air when d’Arenberg wins the prized Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for the best 1968 vintage Claret or Burgundy. The trophy is won for the 1968 Cabernet Sauvignon. They also win two gold, two silver and five bronze medals at the Melbourne Wine Show.
A bottling line is installed at the winery, allowing d’Arenberg to bottle its own wine on site. The second stage of the bottling line is completed in 1971.
The 1967 Burgundy wins the A. C. Kelly Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. The 1970s were shaping up well for d'Arenberg so d'Arry decides to start the second stage of the bottling shed construction.
d’Arenberg is one of the first South Australian wineries to start using a concrete weigh bridge. Further changes are made to the winery, as d'Arry Osborn purchases two stainless steel auto fermenters, eight stainless steel tanks and constructs a new grape receival hopper.
The 1967 Burgundy wins a trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show. The wine goes on to win another nine trophies and 26 gold medals.
The 1967 Burgundy wins a trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
The 1967 Burgundy wins two trophies at the Royal Hobart Wine Show.
In 1978 the Osborn family celebrates the 50th anniversary of winemaking by F. E. Osborn & Sons; d’Arry is awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for his service to the Australian wine industry. The 50th anniversary is marked by a full year of jubilee dinners and celebrations held around the country. Australian and international wine critics and writers, wine distributors, hoteliers and lovers of d’Arenberg wines are entertained in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth — a ‘who’s who’ of the wine world participates in the festivities. Wine tastings, dinners, lectures and many other events take place throughout the year.
The 1967 Burgundy wins the Best Dry Red Trophy at the Royal Hobart Wine Show.
After Frank Osborn’s death in 1957, and d’Arry’s marriage to Pauline Preston in 1958, Mickie visits England before moving into the McLaren Vale township. She retains close links with the Osborn family until she dies in McLaren Vale on 31 July 1978. Mickie’s influence on the lives of the three Osborn children cannot be underestimated. She was a mother to them, she successfully ran the Osborn home, and she cared for Frank as he became more ill and frail. She is remembered with great affection by all the family.
The Rhine Riesling 1979 wins the Best Rhine Riesling Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
The Vintage Port 1976 wins a trophy at the Royal Queensland Wine Show.
The Vintage Port 1976 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
After attending McLaren Vale Primary School and Prince Alfred College, Chester Osborn attends Roseworthy Agricultural College. As an undergraduate, Chester works vintages at other wineries, including Tullochs in the Hunter Valley and Hardy’s Chateau Reynella. He graduates from Roseworthy with a Bachelor of Applied Science, Oenology, in 1983, and embarks on a six month wine tour of Europe.
1984 is an auspicious year for many reasons. It is the year d’Arry celebrates the 25th anniversary of the famous d’Arenberg red stripe label. It is also Chester’s first vintage, which includes the first d’Arenberg barrel-fermented Chardonnay. This is an immediate success; sales in white wines increase dramatically Australia-wide, and 1984 is the year d’Arenberg white wines are launched in the first-class cabins of Qantas Airlines’ international flights.
After taking over as Chief Winemaker, Chester Osborn sets about focusing his efforts on producing high quality and distinctive wines. Chester reduces yields in the vineyards by eliminating fertilization and minimizing irrigation, reinstating the traditional winemaking methods of foot treading and basket pressing.
The White Burgundy 1985 wins a trophy at McLaren Vale Wine Show.
d’Arry Osborn started bottling this wine as ‘Pressings’ in 1979. It wasn’t until 1987 that Chester decides to change the name, as well as the blend to be Grenache dominant, and the d'Arenberg Icon range is created.
The first order for export comes through Albert Heine, a full container to the Netherlands. With the bleak outlook for the domestic market at the time, both Chester and d’Arry Osborn are thrilled with the acceptance of their Shiraz and Shiraz Grenache blend. d'Arenberg is one of very few companies successfully exporting to Europe at this time.
For more than half a decade, the McLaren Vale wine community has celebrated the winemaker of the Best Wine of Show Trophy by awarding them the honour of the Bushing King (or queen!). The Noble Riesling 1987 is awarded this honour, and Chester Osborn is crowned at the annual McLaren Vale Wine Show Bushing Lunch.
The Gloucester Blanc 1990 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The White Burgundy 1990 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Noble Riesling 1989 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show. This wine goes on to win another 11 trophies and 16 gold medals.
In 1993, after 50 years of labelling the wine ‘Burgundy’, d’Arenberg renames their ‘1989 d’Arenberg Burgundy’ as d’Arry’s Original. The new label coincides with celebrations of d’Arry’s Golden Jubilee in winemaking. To mark the occasion, dinners are held in Australian capital cities during the months of April and May.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
The very first wine from the d'Arenberg Icon range was The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre, and now comes The Dead Arm Shiraz, initially a Cabernet Shiraz blend. The third and final addition to the Icon family comes in 1995, The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Rutherglen Wine Show.
From 1992 the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia began honouring individuals who have made a particularly significant contribution to the Australian wine and brandy industry, by electing them to the College of Patrons or awarding them Life Membership of the Australian Wine Industry. In 1994 d’Arry Osborn is invested as a Patron for his outstanding contribution to the affairs of the industry.
The Noble Traminer 1992 wins the Commonwealth Bank Perpetual Trophy at the Rutherglen Wine Show.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Royal Hobart Wine Show.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Hyatt Wine of the Year Awards.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
Vintage Port 1987 wins a trophy at the Canberra National Wine Show.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Canberra National Wine Show.
The very first wine from the d'Arenberg Icon range was The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre, then came The Dead Arm Shiraz, initially a Cabernet Shiraz blend. The third and final addition to the Icon family is The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Royal National Agriculture & Industry Association of Queensland Wine Show
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the Hyatt Wine of the Year Awards.
For over a century the red Rhône varietals of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre had thrived in McLaren Vale, so Chester Osborn decides to plant their white counterparts, among the first in the region to do so. Chester plants 10 acres of Marsanne, nine acres of Roussanne and 14 acres of Viognier. This leads to the first Shiraz Viognier blend to be released from McLaren Vale in 2000, The Laughing Magpie.
The Noble Riesling 1993 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Old Vine Shiraz 1990 wins the Best Wine Overall Trophy at the ‘Wines of the Pacific Rim’ Orange International Wine Competition.
The original homestead on the d'Arenberg property was built in the 1880s, and first occupied by Frank Osborn in 1912. d’Arry and Chester decide to renovate and extend the homestead to include a restaurant, applying to the Onkaparinga Council for approval to build a commercial kitchen, new cellar door and office area.
The Barrel Fermented Chardonnay 1994 wins the Best in Export Class Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
d’Arry and Chester Osborn apply to the Onkaparinga Council to renovate the original homestead on the d’Arenberg property. Unfortunately, they realise too late they had only applied to build a verandah, and not a commercial kitchen, and had already appointed a chef who was planning restaurant menus. They resubmit their application and approval is eventually given. As it was the new verandah that initially received planning permission, the new restaurant is aptly named ‘d’Arry’s Verandah’.
The Dead Arm Shiraz 1994 wins the Best Exported Wine Trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
1985 was the first vintage of The Old Vine Shiraz, which is renamed The Footbolt Shiraz, after the racehorse Joseph Osborn sold in 1912 to purchase the d’Arenberg property in McLaren Vale.
The Other Side Chardonnay 1995 wins a trophy at the Cairns Wine Show.
On the eve of the Hyatt awards, Chester’s first daughter Alicia is born on 12 September.
One major award bestowed on Chester Osborn of which he is particularly proud, especially as it was awarded on the eve of the birth of his first child, was the Hyatt/Advertiser South Australian Wine of the Year Trophy. The trophy is won in the Shiraz category for The Dead Arm Shiraz 1994, but d’Arenberg are also runners-up for The Noble Riesling 1994 in the Sweet Wines category. The wine’s origin, the disease that created the ‘dead arm’ of The Dead Arm, is then adopted as an advertising theme for the wine and the award.
The Noble Riesling 1997 wins the Best Riesling Trophy at the Japan Wine Challenge.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
After taking over the reigns as Chief Winemaker from his father d’Arry in 1984, Chester Osborn began accumulating awards at a rapid pace, adding to this, he is awarded Winestate Magazine’s inaugural ‘Winemaker of the Year’.
The Custodian Grenache 1996 wins a trophy at the Intervin international Awards.
The Noble Riesling 1992 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Twenty Eight Road Mourvèdre 1996 wins a trophy at the ‘Wines of the Pacific Rim’ Orange International Wine Competition.
The Dead Arm Shiraz 1996 wins a trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show.
Chester Osborn’s second daughter, Ruby, is born on 20 October.
d’Arenberg is named one of Wine & Spirits Magazine’s Australian Wineries of the year, going on to win this award another two times, in 2007 and 2011.
The Noble Riesling 1997 wins the Best Riesling Trophy at the Japan Wine Challenge.
d’Arenberg is awarded The Wine Society Perpetual Trophy for the Most Successful Winery of the Competition at the Sydney International Top 100 Competition.
The Noble Riesling 1997 wins the Best Riesling Trophy at the Japan Wine Challenge.
Nostalgia Rare NV wins the City of Onkaparinga Best Fortified Trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
Watching the success of the red Rhône varietals of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourvèdre in McLaren Vale, Chester Osborn decided to plant their white counterparts in 1996, Marsanne, Roussanne and Viognier. This decision leads to the first Shiraz Viognier blend to be released from McLaren Vale, The Laughing Magpie.
For the second year in a row, d’Arenberg wins The Wine Society Perpetual Trophy for the Most Successful Winery of the Competition at the Sydney International Top 100 Competition.
At the 8th Annual Hospice du Rhône celebration, held annually in the US, Chester Osborn is voted Man of the Year, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Rhône wines.
The Custodian Grenache 1997 wins the Best Grenache Riverslea Trophy at the Cowra Show Society.
The Noble Riesling 1997 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2000 wins the Best Consumer Red Blend Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 1999 wins the Best Imported Red Wine Trophy at the Atlanta International Wine Competition.
The Money Spider Roussanne 2001 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Ironstone Pressings GSM 2000 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Ironstone Pressings GSM 1998 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Last Ditch Viognier 2000 wins the Best Rhône White Trophy at the Toowoomba Royal & International Rhône Challenge.
d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache 1999 wins the Best Red of Category Trophy at the Riverside International Wine Competition.
The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 wins the Best Cabernet Sauvignon Trophy at the International Wine Challenge UK.
The Dead Arm Shiraz 2000 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
Chester Osborn’s third daughter, Mia, is born on 22 April.
d’Arenberg is named Winery of The Year by Vogue Entertaining and Travel Magazine.
d’Arenberg is named International Winery of the Year at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
The Sticks & Stones Tempranillo Blend 2002 wins a trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
Golden Retriever Coco is adopted into the Osborn family. Coco lives a full and happy life as a much loved winery dog, before passing away at home, aged 12, with her family and new brother Digby Osborn by her side on 9 August 2011.
The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2000 wins a trophy at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles.
The Twenty Eight Road Mourvèdre 2002 wins a trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
d’Arenberg wins the Most Successful Winery Trophy at the Sydney International Wine Show.
The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2000 wins a trophy at the ‘Wines of the Pacific Rim’ Orange International Wine Competition.
With a lifetime spent dedicated to advancing the interests of the Australian wine industry, d’Arry Osborn is no stranger to awards. In 1978 d’Arry was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal, and this year he is awarded the Queen’s Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his contribution to the wine industry and the McLaren Vale region for over half a century – among many other accolades accumulated over the years.
d’Arenberg is named the category winner of the Best of Nations – Australia award at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
d’Arenberg wins the inaugural Len Evans Memorial Trophy at the UK International Wine Challenge. This trophy is awarded to companies which have consistently excelled in the IWC over the previous five years.
Husband and wife team, Pete and Jo Reschke take over the reins at d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant. Having previously worked for many Adelaide institutions, they have experience working around the world, in places such as Croatia and Thailand. Pete and Jo set a high standard for food quality and service at d’Arry’s Verandah, and go on to win many awards for the restaurant.
The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2003 wins the Finest Chardonnay Trophy at the International Wine Challenge Asia.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names the Vintage Fortified Shiraz 2001 in his annual list of 100 Best Australian Wines. In the review, Matthew writes, “this is a wicked brew, with fiery, spicy, raisiny fruit and a long, mouth-filling finish.”
The Dead Arm Shiraz is ranked by Langton’s as Excellent, meaning it is a ‘high performing wine of exquisite quality with solid volume of demand’. Langton’s Classification of Australian wine is the paramount form guide to Australia’s finest wines. Entry into the Classification is based on a wine’s reputation and track record at auction.
The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2003 wins the Best International White Wine Trophy at the Wine & Spirits Awards Asia.
The Twenty Eight Road Mourvèdre 2002 wins the Australian Winemaker’s Trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
d’Arenberg scoops the pool at the Atlanta International Wine Summit, winning multiple trophies. Winery of Distinction Trophy, Best Wine of the Competition Trophy, and Best Imported Red Wine of the Competition Trophy for The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2004.
d’Arenberg is named the World Winery of the Year at the Vino Awards, hosted by the Toronto Star, and held in Canada.
d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant is awarded Best Winery Restaurant at the South Australian Restaurant and Catering Awards. The awards exist to provide deserved recognition to restaurants and caterers that excel in their field. A nationally recognised, independently judged awards program that recognises exceptional service and culinary talent across Australia.
A big year for Chester Osborn, as he receives many accolades. Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker Jnr’s Wine Advocate, and Winemaker of the Year by Australian Wine Selectors as one of the ten ‘Shining Lights’ to the Australian wine industry.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names four d’Arenberg wines in his annual list of 100 best Australian Wines. The Money Spider Roussanne 2004, The Custodian Grenache 2002, The Ironstone Pressings 2002 and Noble Blend 2003.
The Dead Arm Shiraz is ranked by Langton’s as Excellent, meaning it is a ‘high performing wine of exquisite quality with solid volume of demand’. Langton’s Classification of Australian wine is the paramount form guide to Australia’s finest wines. Entry into the Classification is based on a wine’s reputation and track record at auction.
The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2003 wins the Best International White Wine Trophy at the Wine & Spirits Awards Asia.
The Twenty Eight Road Mourvèdre 2002 wins the Australian Winemaker’s Trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
d’Arenberg scoops the pool at the Atlanta International Wine Summit, winning multiple trophies. Winery of Distinction Trophy, Best Wine of the Competition Trophy, and Best Imported Red Wine of the Competition Trophy for The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2004.
d’Arenberg is named the World Winery of the Year at the Vino Awards, hosted by the Toronto Star, and held in Canada.
d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant is awarded Best Winery Restaurant at the South Australian Restaurant and Catering Awards. The awards exist to provide deserved recognition to restaurants and caterers that excel in their field. A nationally recognised, independently judged awards program that recognises exceptional service and culinary talent across Australia.
A big year for Chester Osborn, as he receives many accolades. Wine Personality of the Year by Robert Parker Jnr’s Wine Advocate, and Winemaker of the Year by Australian Wine Selectors as one of the ten ‘Shining Lights’ to the Australian wine industry.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names four d’Arenberg wines in his annual list of 100 best Australian Wines. The Money Spider Roussanne 2004, The Custodian Grenache 2002, The Ironstone Pressings 2002 and Noble Blend 2003.
The Money Spider Roussanne 2005 wins two trophies at the Decanter World Wine Awards, Best International White Wine Trophy and Best Regional White Wine Trophy.
The Footbolt Shiraz is named a World Top 50 Best Value Wine in Decanter Magazine, who wrote “Second to none for richness, ripeness and regional character. Big and gutsy, with fresh tannins to support the slightly raisiny fruit. Always completely satisfying.”
Now in its tenth year of operation, d’Arry’s Verandah has earnt an enviable reputation for outstanding cuisine and service. This is confirmed by three prestigious awards, Best Aussie Winery Dining Experience by Wine & Spirits Magazine USA, Best Regional Food Producer at the Fleurieu Food Awards, and Best Winery Restaurant, for the second time, at the SA Restaurant and Catering Awards.
The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 wins the Champion Cabernet Trophy at the New Zealand International Wine Show.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2004 in his annual list of 100 Best Australian Wines. In the review, Matthew writes, “These guys cracked the Shiraz / Viognier game years ago and this glossy, polished wine is a stormer, despite its youth.”
In honour of d’Arry Osborn’s 80th birthday and 66th consecutive vintage, d’Arenberg celebrates world-wide with over 30 wine trade dinners, and hosts over 3000 wine trade and media.
Chester Osborn is awarded Red Winemaker of the Year at the Japan Wine Challenge.
d’Arenberg is awarded Winery of the Year, Southern Hemisphere at the Critics’ Choice International Wine Competition (USA).
d’Arenberg is named by Wine & Spirits Magazine USA as a Top 10 Best Producers of Australian Shiraz.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names The Dead Arm Shiraz 2004 in his annual list of 100 Best Australian Wines. In the review, Matthew writes, “A baby still, but 2004 Dead Arm sums up the entire d’Arenberg operation in one sip – passionate, authentic, committed, and ever so slightly dangerous. You should buy this wine before our cousins over the pond grab it and drink it ten years too early.”
d’Arenberg receives the award for Regional Large Business of the Year Award at the SA Great/Australia Post Awards.
The Last Ditch Viognier 2006 wins a trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
With the help of a $60,000 investment by the Australian Government, renovations commence on the old stables, one of the original 19th century buildings on the d’Arenberg property. The stables become a wine immersion centre, offering personalised wine experiences and multimedia displays.
The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier wins the Best Value Red Wine Trophy at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
d’Arenberg is awarded Winery of the Year, Southern Hemisphere at the Critics’ Choice International Wine Competition (USA).
d’Arenberg is awarded Top All-Round Winery at the Houston Rodeo International Wine Competition.
d’Arenberg is named Wine Company of the Year by Winestate Magazine.
d’Arenberg is awarded the Top Small to Medium Manufacturer by the South Australian Export Awards.
d’Arenberg joins 11 of Australia’s oldest family owned, multi-generational wine businesses together to form Australia’s First Families of Wine. The intention is to change the narrative about the history, provenance and quality of Australian premium wine, telling the stories behind these families that form the golden thread that connects them.
The Cenosilicaphobic Cat Sagrantino Cinsault 2007 wins the Chairman’s Choice Trophy at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show.
The Japanese manga comic, Drop of the Gods, features its first Australian wine, The Laughing Magpie Shiraz Viognier 2016, causing an influx of orders. The cartoon is a best seller in Japan and Korea, following the story of Kanzaki Shizuku, the son of a recently deceased wine critic who has placed conditions on the inheritance of his significant cellar.
d’Arry and Chester feature on the cover of Wine Business Magazine, next to the headline article, 50 Years of the Famous Red Stripe.
d’Arenberg is awarded Top All-Round Winery at the Houston Rodeo International Wine Competition for the second year running.
d'Arenberg is named Winery of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine USA.
The Last Ditch Viognier 2008 wins a trophy at the Hyatt Wine of the Year Awards.
d’Arenberg wins the Most Successful Exhibitor Trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
d'Arenberg is named in the Top 100 Wineries of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine USA.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2008 wins Best Value White Table Wine Trophy at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
d’Arenberg is awarded the Top Small to Medium Manufacturer by the South Australian Export Awards for the second time.
d’Arenberg is named Winery of the Year by Wine and Spirits Magazine in the US.
d’Arenberg is awarded Top All-Round Winery at the Houston Rodeo International Wine Competition.
The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2009 wins the Best Pre-Release McLaren Vale Wine Trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Stump Jump Shiraz is named as the 2010 Wine of Year on wine.com, based on the most purchased wine from the website.
Golden Retriever Digby is adopted into the Osborn family. The energetic pup quickly settles into life at the winery, enjoying the attention and pats of visitors to the cellar door.
d'Arenberg is named a Top 5 Australian Value Brand by Wine & Spirits Magazine USA, alongside Australian First Families of Wine stable mates Yalumba and Taylors (known internationally as Wakefield).
d’Arenberg is named the Top Winery of the Year from wine.com, the world’s leading online retailer.
Langton’s Classification of Australian Wine is the paramount form guide to Australia’s finest wines. Entry into the Classification is based on a wine’s reputation and track record at auction. The Dead Arm Shiraz had previously been ranked as Excellent, and is now upgraded to Outstanding, meaning it is a ‘benchmark quality wine with a very strong market following’.
The Noble Prankster Chardonnay Semillon 2010 wine the Sweet Wine of the Year Trophy at the South Australian Wine of the Year Awards.
Langton’s Classification of Australian wine is the paramount form guide to Australia’s finest wines. Entry into the Classification is based on a wine’s reputation and track record at auction. The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon is ranked by Langton’s as Excellent, meaning it is a ‘high performing wine of exquisite quality with solid volume of demand’.
In acknowledgement of 100 years of family ownership, d’Arry and Chester Osborn host yearlong celebrations. The festivities kick off at the winery in February, and then travel all over the world, to places including Boston, Denver, Aspen, San Francisco, New York, Auckland, Wellington, Darwin, Hobart, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, Singapore, Tokyo, Hong Kong, London and Montreal.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2008 wins the Best Museum Riesling Trophy at the Canberra International Riesling Challenge.
In celebration of four generations and 100 years of family ownership, Chester Osborn launches the Amazing Sites project, a range of single vineyard Shiraz wines that capture the essence of a unique patch of dirt and speak volumes of the site and vintage. In addition, three single district Grenache wines are released, all carefully crafted to celebrate the importance of place in the art of winemaking.
Chester Osborn is named as one of the most significant wine industry people of the past decade, by Wine Intelligence, a global wine market research, branding and strategic advice company. The ‘10 for 10 Business Awards’ are given to 10 wine industry figures who have personally achieved great things in the past decade. The judging panel notes, “Chester’s unique combination of technical excellence and unbridled irreverence is delightful to observe and fun to be part of.”
Chester Osborn commissions a sculpture to be installed at the entrance to the d'Arenberg property. The sculpture, crafted by South Australian artist Craig Ellis, is called ‘Handling Soil’, and features two hands emerging from the ground, representing the four generations of the Osborn family who have grown grapes and made wine in the picturesque surrounds of McLaren Vale.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2009 in his annual list of 100 Best Australian Wines. In the review, Matthew writes, “With twelve months spent in oak this fragrant, herbal, pipe smoke and mulberry infused Grenache is absolutely captivating.”
d'Arenberg is awarded the Most Successful Exhibitor Trophy at the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland Mediterranean Wine Challenge.
Chester Osborn releases DADD, d'Arenberg’s first sparkling white wine, sourced from the Adelaide Hills and made from the traditional Champagne blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Muenier. The name is inspired by the four generations of Osborn family fathers, hence the extra ‘D’ in the name.
The Money Spider Roussanne 2010 wins Best White Mediterranean Trophy at the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland Mediterranean Wine Challenge.
The Osborn family commissions historian Fay Woodhouse to record the family’s history. d’Arry Osborn’s late brother, Rowen, had been researching the family history for many years, and Fay worked closely with him to bring it to publication. The result is a beautiful book containing fascinating insights, not only into the Osborns and d’Arenberg life, but also life on the land for the last century.
The Vintage Fortified Shiraz 2007 wins the Best Sparkling or Fortified Trophy at the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland Mediterranean Wine Challenge.
The Stables Wine Immersion Centre is officially opened by The Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism, on September 7th, 2012 at 10.30am. The beautifully restored building offers visitors personalised wine experiences, such as the Blending Bench and structured tastings, as well as geology and multi-media displays.
The largest solar power generator on a South Australian winery is installed. The solar system generates around 20-30% of the electricity use of d'Arenberg’s manufacturing process and reduces greenhouse gas emissions at the site by more than 181 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide per year – a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
d'Arenberg is named a Top 100 Winery of the Year and Value Brand of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine USA.
The backbone of the d'Arenberg range, The Originals wine family is released with updated packaging. The new labels pay homage to the history of the d’Arenberg brand and the original packaging dating back to the early 60s, when d’Arry first released wines under the red stripe label.
d'Arenberg is listed at number 24 in Matthew Jukes’ Top 40 Australian Wineries of the year.
d'Arenberg is named a Top 10 Producer of Australian Shiraz by Cellarlink.com.au.
For the first time since the wine made its debut in 1993, The Dead Arm Shiraz label is redesigned and the new 2010 vintage launched to much acclaim. Together with The Coppermine Road Cabernet Sauvignon and The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre, each of the three icon wines has unique and intricate calligraphy for the wine name, representative of the attention and consideration given to what is inside the bottle.
d'Arry Osborn is awarded Business Champion at the SA Business Awards.
The Noble Wrinkled Riesling 2011 wins the Best Sweet White Trophy at the Royal Queensland Wine Show.
For the first time in over 50 years, a d'Arenberg vineyard is harvested using a Clydesdale horse, as Chester Osborn embarks on an experiment with the oldest bush vine Grenache vineyard in McLaren Vale. The horses are used to pull the drays to collect grapes while hand picking, so the weight of tractors didn’t compact and affect the soil. The trial runs for several years, while the benefits of the natural approach are assessed and reviewed.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2014 wins the Best Value White Wine Trophy at the Dan Murphy’s National Wine Show.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2008 wins the Best Aromatic Wine Trophy at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
Pete and Jo Reschke celebrate 10 years at the helm of d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant. They continue to uphold their missive to serve local and seasonal produce of the Fleurieu Peninsula, their continued passion for culinary expertise see the restaurant elevated to icon status.
The Noble Wrinkled Riesling 2011 wins the Best Sweet Wine Trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show.
The Noble Wrinkled Riesling 2011 wins the Best Sweet Wine Trophy at the Royal Perth Wine Show.
The Artisans range is redesigned, with an artistic interpretation screen printed by a local artist, then digitally recreated on each label. To celebrate their official launch, over 350 wine trade, media and friends gathered in Adelaide to party.
d’Arry’s Verandah is awarded two Chef Hats at the Australian Good Food and Travel Guide Chef Hat awards.
Nostalgia Rare NV wins the Best Fortified Wine Trophy at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
The Stump Jumps are released with updated labels, the design inspired by an optometrist’s’ eye chart. If you can hold the bottle at arm’s length and still read the bottom line, you can have another glass.
Jo Reschke of d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant is awarded Best Service at the Advertiser SA Food Awards.
d’Arenberg is again named one of the Top 100 Wineries of the Year Wine & Spirits Magazine USA, and inducted into the Hall of Fame, celebrating eight Winery of the Year awards since their inception in 1987. d’Arenberg is only one of five Australian wineries in the Hall of Fame, and the only McLaren Vale producer.
d'Arenberg is awarded Cellar Door with Best Food in McLaren Vale at Gourmet Traveller WINE’s annual Best Cellar Door awards for the first time, going on to win this award again in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
A legal dispute over the name DADD sees the release of Pollyanna Polly, rebranded in honour of Chester’s late mother, Pauline. The Pollyanna Principle is the tendency for people to remember pleasant times more accurately than unpleasant ones. Pauline, was a living testament to this truth, always looking on the bright side of life. An eternal optimist, she was known to family and friends alike as Pollyanna Polly.
d’Arry’s Verandah is named as one of Australia’s Top 500 Restaurants in The Australian Financial Review.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2008 wins the Best Riesling Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
d’Arenberg is inducted into the Family Business Australia SA hall of fame, which celebrates and recognises the achievements of family owned Australian businesses, and the special achievers who contribute positively to the community, economy and culture.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2008 wins the Best Aromatic Wine Trophy at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
d’Arenberg is named one of South Australia’s Top 100 Businesses in the InDaily Top 100 South Australian Business Index. The list, developed by analysts at Prescotts Securities, measures financial year revenue and each company’s contribution to employment.
Nostalgia Rare Tawny and Vintage Fortified Shiraz are released with a new family name, The Ancients, and new labels that acknowledge the tradition and history behind them, dating back to 1928. Using the early practice of heraldry, d’Arenberg commissions an illustrated coat of arms that adorns each label, similar at first glance, but each subtly unique to the wine that it represents.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2008 wins the Runner Up to Best Wine of Competition Trophy at the Sydney International Wine Competition.
d'Arenberg is named as a Value Brand of the Year by Wine & Spirits Magazine USA, only one of two Australian brands that represent outstanding value.
An extensive conversion process sees all d'Arenberg estate owned and leased vineyards certified for organic practices in December. The certification comes from The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia. NASAA is an international association of organic operators. The operators endeavour to use sustainable organic agricultural practices, which maintain a balance of productivity with low impact on the environment, thus preserving the ecological quality of the land for future use.
d'Arenberg is awarded Cellar Door with Best Food in McLaren Vale at Gourmet Traveller WINE’s annual Best Cellar Door awards for the second time, going on to win this award again in 2016 and 2017.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names two d’Arenberg wines in his annual list of 100 Best Australian Wines. d’Arry’s Original Shiraz Grenache 2012 and The Dead Arm Shiraz 2010.
The Noble Wrinkled Riesling 2011 wins the Best Sweet Wine Trophy at the Royal Sydney Wine Show.
Golden Retriever Oopy is adopted into the Osborn family. Little sister to Digby Osborn, he quickly shows her the winery ropes, teaching her where she can get the most pats and attention – at the d'Arenberg cellar door.
Soon after gaining organic certification, d’Arenberg applies for an extension of scope to add biodynamics. In late 2016 all estate owned and leased vineyards are certified for organic and biodynamic practices by The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia. Other green practices upheld by d'Arenberg are the use of solar power energy, a comprehensive recycling program, agisted sheep in vineyards, and natural pest control management.
d'Arenberg is awarded Cellar Door with Best Food in McLaren Vale at Gourmet Traveller WINE’s annual Best Cellar Door awards for the third time, going on to win this award again in 2017.
Construction commences on the d’Arenberg Cube, a five storey multi-function building set among Mourvèdre vines, with views overlooking the rolling hills of Willunga and the 19th century homestead that houses the existing cellar door and d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant. The d’Arenberg Cube includes a new tasting room, another restaurant, private tasting rooms and state of the art facilities on each level.
Two new ultra-premium wines are released, The Old Bloke & The Three Young Blondes and The Athazagoraphobic Cat, retailing at $200 each. The Old Bloke is a Shiraz dominant blend with three white wine varieties, Roussanne, Viognier and Marsanne, adding fragrance, spice and length. The cat is an intoxicating blend of Sagrantino and Cinsault. Only Sagrantino pressings were used in the final blending, making an intense wine with tannins and lush red fruits that linger on the palate.
d’Arry’s Verandah is awarded the Best Restaurant in a Winey at the Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence. Selected from five outstanding South Australian finalists, d’Arry’s was recognised for exceptional service and culinary talent, and we’d like to add, a lobster dish to die for.
Chester Osborn is named a National Finalist in the EY Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Awards. EOTY celebrates those who are building and leading successful, growing and dynamic businesses, recognising them through regional, national and global awards programs in more than 145 cities in over 60 countries.
A favourite of many, The Peppermint Paddock Sparkling Chambourcin is relaunched with a new label, and with a new blend of Chambourcin, Shiraz and Graciano. Initially released as a dry red wine in 1992, then relaunched as a sparkling wine in 1996, this is the first time the label has been updated in over 24 years of production.
d’Arry Osborn is named the 2016 Legend of the Vine by Wine Communicators of Australia, and becomes a life member, joining a prestigious group including wine writer James Halliday. This award was created to recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian wine industry.
On 27 December, friends and family gather to celebrate d’Arry Osborn’s 90th birthday. d’Arry was presented with a customised book filled with special messages and memories from people he worked with during his 70+ years in the wine industry.
Design team Voice are presented with the prestigious Pinnacle Award for the Best Packaging in Australia at the Australian Graphic Design Awards, for their work on The Old Bloke & The Three Young Blondes.
The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana 2015 wins the Best Sweet Wine Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
Popular UK wine writer, Matthew Jukes, names three d’Arenberg wines in his annual list of 100 Best Australian Wines. The Money Spider Roussanne 2016, The Ironstone Pressings Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2013, and The Noble Mud Pie Viognier Arneis 2015.
A new wine is launched, The Anthropocene Epoch Mencia 2016, the first wine in the range to include reference to d’Arenberg’s organic and biodynamic growing practices, which have been certified by The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia. The launch of this wine is celebrated by an online live tasting event, the first of its kind for a product launch.
The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana 2015 wins the Best Sweet Wine of Show Trophy at the Royal Queensland Wine Show.
d'Arenberg is awarded Cellar Door with Best Food in McLaren Vale at Gourmet Traveller WINE’s annual Best Cellar Door awards for the fourth time, winning in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
An updated artist’s impression of the d’Arenberg Cube is released, showcasing its external features, which include rooftop umbrellas. Spanning almost the entire surface area of the glass roof are 16 umbrellas, 15 black and one red, with hydraulically operated mechanical arms lifting each of them in a choreographed sequence of movement.
South African husband-and-wife team Brendan Wessels and Lindsay Dürr are announced as Head Chef and Research and Development of the d’Arenberg Cube restaurant. After many years training in a Michelin starred kitchen, travelling and learning about global gastronomy, Brendan and Lindsay will use their experience to create a unique dining adventure.
The Feral Fox Pinot Noir 2015 wins the Adelaide Wine of the Year Trophy at the China Wine and Spirits Awards – Best Value.
Kingswood Aluminium and Construction Glazing accept the 2017 National Commercial Award from The Australian Glass and Glazing Association for the d’Arenberg Cube project, in the category of Best Commercial Project over $50,000. They said “With a very complex, high spec glass and aluminium façade requiring an unequalled level of technical input – the d’Arenberg Cube is a truly stand out world class achievement.”
The Noble Wrinkled Riesling 2016 wins the Best Sweet Floral Trophy at the Riverina Sweet Wine Challenge.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2017 wins the Best Semi-dry Riesling Trophy at the Canberra International Riesling Challenge.
The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana 2015 wins the Best Sweet White Table Wine Trophy at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show.
The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana 2015 wins the Best Sweet White Table Wine Trophy at the National Wine Show of Australia.
Pollyanna Polly is nominated as a top 5 finalist in the Winestate Magazine Wine of the Year Awards.
The Lucky Lizard Chardonnay 2016 is named number 6 in The Adelaide Review Hot 100 Wines 2017/2018.
South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill cut the red stripe ribbon at an intimate celebration on Saturday 9 December, to officially open The d'Arenberg Cube.
The d'Arenberg Cube opens to the public on Thursday 14 December 2017.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant for winning the SA New Restaurant – Regional Award Restaurant and Catering Awards 2018
The Daddy Long Legs Extra Rare is a fortified wine, wonderfully rich and concentrated, hand bottled, and released only in tiny quantities. With an average wine age of over 50 years, only two barrels of this wine remain, with only 50 bottles available in the first release.
d’Arenberg launch a new wine in the Artisans range called The Biophilic Silurian Cinsault. This wine comes from the oldest Cinsault vines in McLaren Vale, which have remained hidden for over 60 years. Once you open the bottle, you will become biophilically attached, experiencing a strong attraction and emotional attachment to the wine inside.
The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana 2017 is awarded the Best Sweet White Wine of Show Trophy at the Royal Queensland Food & Wine Show 2018
d'Arenberg is awarded Cellar Door with Best Food in McLaren Vale at Gourmet Traveller WINE’s annual Best Cellar Door awards for the fifth time, winning in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.
Chester Osborn is named number 27 most influential person in The Advertiser's list of South Australia’s 100 Most Influential People.
The list recognises influential people that have either had a significant impact in the past year or are likely to do so in 2018 — and have done something differently that is having a real impact on our community, beyond just holding a powerful or influential position.
The Dead Arm Shiraz is named as Australia’s 20th most collected wine of 2016 in Wine Ark’s list of the 50 most collectable wines.
d’Arry Osborn is presented with a community civic award in recognition of his outstanding achievement and community service by the Onkaparinga City Council at the Community Civic Award's 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube is awarded the NECA excellence award for commercial project SA/NT - first place, as well as the NECA perpetual award for best overall project in all categories SA/NT. The award was accepted by Mark Hamood of Electric Solutions.
d’Arenberg places 88th in South Australia’s top 100 companies in the Business SA Index 2018.
d’Arenberg is named amongst Wine & Spirits Magazine Top 100 wineries of 2018. Australian wineries included were d’Arenberg, Giant Steps, Grosset, Voyager Estate and Yalumba.
d’Arenberg wins Business of the Year at the McLaren Vale Business Awards 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube wins the award for Tourism at the McLaren Vale Business Awards 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant is presented with a Silver Award for the Best New Restaurant at the Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube receives the International Best of Wine Tourism award at the Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best of Wine Tourism Awards 2018.
This award is the top prize given at each of the regional award presentations.
The d’Arenberg Cube wins the Premier's Award for Service Excellence at the South Australian Tourism Awards 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant is named number two in the delicious100. The delicious100 guide ranks South Australia's best restaurants from 1 to 100 for the first time.
The d'Arenberg Cube Restaurant’s smoked eel, rice congee is named The Advertiser’s Dish of the Year
The Noble Botryotinia Fuckeliana 2017 is awarded the Best Sweet White Wine of Show Trophy at the Adelaide Hills Wine Show 2018
The d’Arenberg Cube wins a Professional Excellence Award in the Category of Commercial Construction $5 Million to $25 Million. This award was presented to Sarah Constructions at the 2018 South Australian Professional Excellence in Building Awards held at the National Wine Centre of Australia (Adelaide) on Friday 4th May 2018.
d’Arenberg launches a new wine made using the world’s first fully automated natural winemaker. Grapes are placed inside the machine and forgotten in obliviscence. Thought to be practically impossible, this turned out to be a visionary idea, or maybe you are just caught up in reverie while watching the fermenter processing. The fermenter can be viewed at work in the Alternate Realities Museum, located on the ground floor of the d’Arenberg Cube in McLaren Vale.
Chester Osborn is inducted into the Princes Mens Gallery at Prince Alfred College
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant launches a new and exclusive dining opportunity with views into the dynamic, state of the art kitchen.
The Chef’s Table includes access to a private lounge for a pre-lunch aperitif and canapes, an extended degustation menu, and a dedicated sommelier to guide diners through the wine pairing.
The d'Arenberg Cube receives a prestigious Good Design Award®, the highest honour for design innovation in Australia, announced at the 60th annual ceremony held at the Sydney Opera House on 17 May.
The Ironstone Pressings GSM 2015 wins the McLaren Vale Wine of the Year Trophy at the China Wine & Spirits Awards 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant is reviewed by Gault & Millau Australia, scoring 17.5 out of 20.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant ranks number 51 in Australian Gourmet Traveller’s 2019 Restaurant Guide Awards.
d’Arenberg is awarded the Trophy for Most Distinctive Brand of the Year at the Australian Drinks Awards 2018.
d’Arenberg is listed amongst Travel and Leisure’s Editors’ Choice Awards: The Hot 30.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant is awarded a chef’s hat at the Good Food Guide Awards 2018.
d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant wins the award for Hospitality at the McLaren Vale Business Awards 2018.
The Daddy Long Legs Extra Rare NV receives a 2018 Form Innovation Award at The Adelaide Review Form Awards 2018. The award is received by award winning design team Voice.
The d’Arenberg Cube receives the award for best Architecture and Landscape at the Great Wine Capitals Global Network Best of Wine Tourism Awards 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube wins Best Tourist Attraction at the South Australian Tourism Awards 2018.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant is named Best New Restaurant at The Advertiser Food Awards 2018.
d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant is named number forty in the delicious100. The delicious100 guide ranks South Australia's best restaurants from 1 to 100 for the first time.
The Derelict Vineyard Grenache 2015 wins the trophy for Best Grenache (one year or older) at the McLaren Vale Wine Show 2018.
The Dry Dam Riesling 2011 wins the Sydney International Wine Competition 2019 Trophy for best Semi Sweet White Wine.
d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant receives 1 Chef Hat and a score of 12 in the Australian Good Food Guide.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant is named Regional Restaurant of the Year at the Gault & Milau Restaurant Awards 2019.
The d’Arenberg Cube Restaurant is awarded 2 Chef Hats and a score of 14 in the Australian Good Food Guide.
d'Arry's Verandah Restaurant is awarded a Readers' Choice award in the Australian Good Food Guide.
d'Arenberg release their first certified organic wine, The Money Spider Roussanne 2018. Vegan friendly, made with biodynamically grown grapes from family owned vineyards, the wine is a product of d’Arenberg’s ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability. It is an exotic white, robust, full flavoured and complex with a rich, textural mouthfeel.
