Australia's First Families of Wine (AFFW) has appointed Bruce Tyrrell as its new Chair, making him the fifth Chair of the esteemed wine group. Tyrrell is the fourth generation CEO and winemaker at Tyrrell's in the Hunter Valley, and has assumed the Chair from Yalumba’s Robert Hill Smith.

Bruce Tyrrell, AFFW Chair

AFFW was established in 2009 as a collaborative wine group that shares the stories behind its family businesses, both locally and internationally. Last year, the self-funded group travelled to the United States and Canada, as well as holding domestic events, spreading the messages of quality and provenance of premium Australian wine.

2017 will also see a full program of activities planned, with Tyrrell at the helm. On the appointment, Tyrrell said, “It’s a great honour to be the fifth Chair of AFFW and I’m looking forward a busy few years. As a group, we have successfully communicated the purpose of AFFW with media and trade, at home and around the world, evidenced by the recognition we enjoy at this level.

“Over the course of my tenure, I look forward to talking more directly to consumers, particularly domestically, to establish the AFFW marque as a trusted friend when selecting and drinking premium Australian wine. We will continue to engage with media and trade internationally as there is still much work to give quality Australian wine the profile and respect it deserves. And stories! Of course we will continue to tell our stories!  And for those who know me, you can rest assured that I’ll have some opinions on all the happenings on the exciting wine landscape.�?

Katherine Brown, AFFW Next Generation Chair

Katherine Brown, fourth generation Brown ‘sister’ from Brown Brothers in Milawa, Victoria, has also taken over as Chair of the Next Generation of AFFW, replacing the group’s inaugural Chair, Scott McWilliam.

Brown looks forward to engaging and communicating in a fresh way, embracing the digital era.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to drive the agenda of the Next Gen of AFFW, strongly established by inaugural Chair, Scott McWilliam. Our aim as a Next Gen group is to support the purpose of AFFW by communicating the importance of the history and provenance of our wine families, albeit it in a fresh, exciting and engaging way. We’re particularly interested in utilising digital, thinking about new ways to present and talk about wine via fun events and engage with the new generation of wine lovers in their language. And as the future leaders of our family businesses, we have the opportunity to learn from each other and share information, in the true spirit of collaboration. We really are a great, big wine ‘family’,�? Brown said.

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