Kim Tyrer is the CEO & Winemaker of Galafrey Wines. Galafrey was est in 1977 and Kim was born in 1978. A family business, her father passed away in 2003 when Kim was 25 years old. An only child, Kim stepped into her 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. Driven by pride and family history Kim market’s her wine through story and empowerment of place.
Kim has strong leadership skills has sat on many boards throughout her career but currently is working her way up the wine judging circuit. Kim has been an associate wine judge both at the Perth Wine Show 2018-2021 and the Wine Show of Western Australia 2018-2020. Judge at Blackwood Wine Show 2019-2020. Kim has also achieved Young Gun Top 50 Winemaker 2018-2020, Finalist Women in Wine CEO/Owner Operator 2016, ACCI Businessperson of Year 2018 and Galafrey Wines is a finalist in the Wine Companion Awards Dark Horse Winery 2021. At Galafrey Wines Cellar Door we believe the right atmosphere with an authentic experience is the best way to enjoy our wine and story, that’s why we have a 5 star rating!
Kim’s Favourites:
1. Where to start with Wine Tasting? Here most cellar doors are run by the owners of the winery. This gives a unique and personal experience to talk to the owners and ask them any questions you have. Whether its Bev or Clint from Gilbert Wines, Alex from Poachers Ridge, Gene or Irene from Ironwood estate and Kim, Linda or Nigel from Galafrey Wines. In our area you are served by the very people who are passionate artisan within their business. There are many characters, history and stories in this area to enjoy while trying the various premium wines. Also, most wineries have an infamous wine dog too! It’s not just the winemakers who are local celebrities!!
2. Festivals are a great time to enjoy all the wines of the region in one spot. Grapes and Gallops Festival combine country horse racing with a wine festival featuring Mount Barker Wines. Dress up, book a table and have a flutter on the Day! Usually the 3rd Sunday in January. The Porongurup Festival is on the March Long weekend and boast every thing Porongurup in one spot- food, beer, spirits and wine. Book a masterclass with one of the acclaim winemakers and learn more about wine! Both Festivals are family oriented too!
3. Hidden Gem- Founded in 1999 Alex and Janet from Poacher’s Ridge has some excellent wines. Open weekends (double check with google biz page for hours) they have a beautiful cellar door with a great view. They have a consist quality across the range. I personally love the Cab Sauv and Merlot and have a soft spot for their aged Marsanne. Don’t forget to ask Alex how they got their name!
4. Call in to West Cape Howe cellar door on your next trip to the Great Southern. They are located on the picturesque and historic ‘Langton’ property, just 10 minutes west of Mount Barker on the Muir Highway. Their cellar door is open 7 days/week. They have a huge range of wines available for tasting but they also have great coffee which is roasted on site. They also offer freshly made pizzas and platters to share. Enjoy the open fire in winter, or let the kids run free on the expansive lawn area outside. Pet friendly and often have a wine dog or two hanging around to say hi. I recommend trying their Malbec!
5. Maleeya’s Thai Food in the Porongurups. While not wine related, it is BYO so make sure you grab a bottle of local vino. I always take one of my Muller Thurgau (unique German Grape variety)! This is your organically locally source gold plate standard Thai! I love their Massaman Sirloin Beef and handmade spring rolls. There are Highland cows on the drive through and a bamboo gallery. You must book! But you can also get takeaway, menu on website. Open weekends for lunch and dinner.
Top 5 local facts about your area of interest:
1. Producing around 37% of wine grapes grown in WA, the Great Southern is one of Australia’s largest Regions and a majority of that 37% is growing in Frankland and Mount Barker. The Great Southern has 5 sub regions Mount Barker, Porongurup, Frankland, Albany and Denmark. Renowned both nationally and internationally for riesling, shiraz, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon.
2. Did you know…our unique wine growing area goes back to 1859, when original settler George Egerton-Warburton planted vines on his St Werburgh’s property near Mount Barker and bottled his first non-commercial vintage two years later. This is the same property as the St Werburgh’s Chapel, and you can visit the church and his gravesite.
3. Did you know… the first Agricultural department cuttings were planted in Mount Barker in 1965 at Forest Hill at Tony and Betty Pearse’s Forest Hill property. These plantings were followed by Tony Smith and Ernie Mead, who planted vines on their properties at Denbarker in 1968, with other pioneers following soon afterwards making the area the second oldest wine region behind Swan Valley.
4. Why are Mt Barker Grapes so good? The vines experience warm days and cooling nights due to the climate of the region, and although often low yielding, they produce high-quality grapes. This creates elegant and complex fruit, which shows fine tannins and incredible length. The average ripening period in Mount Barker together with the whole season is nearly identical with those of Bordeaux.
5. If you are visiting the Mount Barker Region and haven’t heard of Riesling, I need ask “where have you been?” Riesling is the region’s leading white wine. In 2014 the annual James Halliday wine companion rate their Top 25 Rieslings. 16 were from the Great Southern and it caused quite a commotion! But most importantly, people notice on a national level, how good the Great Southern wine region is. 75% of WA total riesling production comes from the Great Southern Region. If you are visiting, you will be going on a riesling journey at our excellent cellar doors -there is no such thing as a bad riesling here!
