This International Women’s Day (March 8), we’re raising a glass to the remarkable women shaping the future of the Great Southern wine industry. From winemaking and viticulture to wine education and business leadership, these trailblazers are not only crafting exceptional drops but also redefining industry norms, overcoming challenges, and sharing their passion with the world.
We had the privilege of speaking with some of the region’s most inspiring women, including Kim Tyrer, CEO and Winemaker at Galafrey Wines in Mount Barker.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the wine industry?
A: I am born and bred into the wine industry. My parents set up Galafrey in 1977 and I was born in 1978. I cannot image my life without Galafrey and have pursue a career in it.
Q: Can you briefly share your journey to where you are today?
A: I, Kim Tyrer, am the CEO & Winemaker of Galafrey Wines. Galafrey was est. in 1977 and I was born in 1978. A family business, my father passed away in 2003 when I was 25 years old. An only child, I stepped into my father’s role as CEO & Winemaker. After a steep learning curve, and a few hurdles, Galafrey continues to be a strong and well-respected brand in the wine industry. Today I am a leading female winemaker making one of Australia’s Best Riesling and carving out a cult following for Galafrey’s Muller Thurgau. A Top 50 Young Gun Winemaker for 5 years, a Top 4 Women in Wine CEO and former Business Person of the Year, I have many accolades I am proud of.
Q: What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
A: Creativity- I am a creative sole, and I find winemaking very creative. You create something so complex from something so simply as grapes.
Q: Have you faced any challenges as a woman in the wine industry? How have you overcome them?
A: Wine making is physically demanding so small things like right tool right job. I find the strength in my hands while attaching bsb fittings in winery difficult, but some specialised wrench help do the job. As I get older, I have had to work on my strength out of season to be vintage ready.
The balance between my work life and home life is difficult. I often say I have two jobs CEO of my business and CEO of my household. Both create A LOT of demands and responsibility from me. I plan A LOT and lean into things that make my life easier like technology, home delivery, contract services and so on.
Q: What’s been your proudest achievement so far?
A: My whole career is the wine industry is my proudest achievement. I was 25 when my father passed away and I had to start at the very beginning and learn a lot in a small amount of time to survive. Now I am a TOP 50 Young Gun Winemaker, A leading female winemaker and we make one of the best Rieslings in Australia and a unique cult wine in our Muller Thurgau. I have achieved incredible things under great aversity.
Q: What advice would you give to women looking to enter the world of wine?
A: Invest in yourself- learn the skills you need to progress in the industry and back yourself- once you have the skills have the confidence to use them.
Q: What excites you most about the future of wine in the Great Southern?
A: The direction of Riesling and Shiraz styles from our Region. A: To be one of the best and B:To then push those styles and concepts about those styles.
Q: Who are the women that inspire you—within or beyond the wine world?
A: So many in the Australian wine industry- Samanth Connew, Stargazer, and Corrina Wright, Olivers Taranga, are two great examples. But I am also loving Ilona Mahar; a USA Rugby Player who is body positive about strong women and the strength in their bodies. Winemaking is a very physical job and women with physical strength are often not portrayed in a positive light.
Q: What’s your go-to drop for an evening with friends?
A: My favourite is Friday Night Footy. We often have home-made pizzas, catch up and watch the footy with some winemaking friends. We drink extremely good wine. Often high-quality Shiraz from Barossa, Mclaren Vale, Hunter Valley, Swan Valley or local Great Southern.
Q: If you could share a glass of wine with anyone, past or present, who would it be and why?
A: I think a glass of Galafrey with my dad Ian Tyrer. It would be nice to show him what I have been doing and how far we have come.