Vale d'Arry Osborn OAM

The McLaren Vale Wine Region is collectively mourning the passing of one of our great forefathers and a true statesman of Australian wine, d'Arry Osborn.

As a third-generation vigneron, d'Arry left school to join the family winery at the age of 16 and throughout his illustrious career oversaw more than 70 consecutive vintages. With a firm focus on premiumisation, and his introduction of the famous 'red stripe' in 1959, d'Arry is credited with turning d'Arenberg from bulk flagon production into the global powerhouse it is today.

A true gentleman of the industry and a much loved member of the McLaren Vale community, d’Arry received many prestigious honours and awards over the course of his lifetime. His 1968 Cabernet Sauvignon won the Jimmy Watson Trophy in 1969, and he was awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal in 1978. In 2004, he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his contribution to the wine industry and to the McLaren Vale region, and in 2016 he was awarded South Australian Legend of the Vine by Wine Communicators of Australia.

Our thoughts go out to d'Arry's two children, Chester and Jacki and their respective families, his three grandchildren Alicia, Ruby and Mia, and all who knew and worked with this great man throughout his long life. We encourage all to join us and raise a glass in his honour.