Andrew Pirie

Andrew Pirie was born in Sydney on 3 July 1947. His father and grandfather were both GPs in the western suburbs. His mother's family was involved in agriculture. He studied Agricultural Science at Sydney University and did a masters in Agronomy. He spoke to Len Evans and Bryce Rankine about his future in the industry. He went to France in 1971, Burgundy, Avery's in Bristol, Bordeaux, Alsace,and Provence and returned to Sydney in 1972. Started a wine appreciation course which ran until 1991. He became interested in vine physiology - how vines work in different climates. He first visited Tasmania in 1972 and found that it lined up with French regions. In 1973 he bought 70,000 cuttings from the NSW Department of Agriculture before he had any land. In 1974 he bought land at Pipers Brook with his brother David, 150 acres. Planted Pinot, Cabernet. In the early years they had problems with wildlife eating the vines and ph problems with the soil. It took years to get the fertility right. Began a PhD in 1973. In 1978 began lecturing at Charles Sturt University. Moved to Tasmania in 1979 and did the first vintage with his brother - 150 cases of Rhine Riesling. Sold through Rosewell Cellars in Sydney. By 1980 had built a winery. Given two government scholarships to France where he learned to make wine. French recipe did not always work. From 1980 to 2000 they experimented on the recipe and technique until it clicked in 1998. They had a big nursery with all vine varieties. The 1982 Riesling was one of their greatest wines. Well known for the Pipers Brook Chardonnay. They had 220 hectares under vine by 1999. In 1975 he wrote for the Financial Review about the potential for wine in Tasmania. In 2000 appointed the Director of Tourism Tasmania. By the late 1990s they were selling their wine in 14 countries