And on the seventh day…..there was Bruce Almighty (possibly standing outside the winery having a quiet fag)! I get a bit of media and stuff in my inbox and don’t do much of it, but this is especially (good) newsworthy.

— press release from Farm 13 starts now —-

One of the longest standing traditions at Tyrrell’s Vineyards has come to an end as the winery’s Hunter Valley Cellar Door has opened its doors for Sunday trading for the first time in 46 years.

Tyrrell’s Wines Sales Bar and Cellar Door on Broke Road in Pokolbin will now be open seven days a week, with the famous winery tours taking place every day at 1.30pm.

According to Managing Director Bruce Tyrrell, the tradition of closing on Sundays had nothing to do with religion or beliefs.

“In the 1960s, my father Murray Tyrrell bent the rules a little bit by opening on a Sunday, only to be caught out by the local licensing sergeant – who also happened to be a great friend,” Tyrrell says.

“It was plainly obvious that if we opened Sunday we would be raided so we shut the doors and kept them shut even when we got a proper license a few years later.”

The opening of Tyrrell’s on Sundays will come as welcome news to the 2 million-plus visitors who head to the Hunter Valley every year.

Tyrrells is celebrating 150 years of winemaking this year with a program of activities, including the Hunter Valley’s biggest ever barbecue: Two Reds Meet on Saturday
31st May 2008.

The Tyrrell’s Wines Cellar Door is managed by Murray Flanagan, who marks his 40th year with Tyrrell’s this year. “Murray has taught more people to drink wine than any other 10 people in the country put together,” Bruce says.

Winery Address: Broke Road, Pokolbin

Phone: 02 4993 7000

Opening Hours: Monday–Sunday: 8:30am–5pm. Please Note, tastings will finish at 4.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays

Winery Tour: Everyday at 1.30pm.