ROB AND JUDY HIRST - 2005

Rob and Judy Hirst were neighbours before meeting through friends and forming a partnership that encompassed both life and business, devoting their considerable energies over the last 30 years to their ‘families’ – both immediate and extended, with staff, producers and customers across the country.

They have built and in some cases, launched an inspiring portfolio of brands with their team over the years, including Bollinger, Henschke, Brokenwood, Petaluma, Croser, Bowen Estate, Taltarni, Clover Hill, Coriole, Sandalford, Element, Peter Rumball, Villa Maria, Pikes, Bannockburn, By Farr, Cockatoo Ridge, Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay, Drouhin, Jaboulet, Nederburg, Absolut, Campari,  Skyy, Teachers, Chateau Tanunda, Grolsch, Hahn and Grand Marnier.

Rob joined the family company, Tucker & Co in 1976. Bringing his experiences as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand then Rothmans, and 2 years as a Troop Commander in the Vietnam conflict to bear, on the completion of an  MBA Rob took the company in a new direction – fine wines, local and imported with the vision which still stands - Quality products and Quality service. 

Judy also bought her considerable passion to Tuckers. After completing her Communications Degree in 1985, the Occupational Therapist and Psychologist joined the Tuckers Board, taking over Public Relations and Promotions. That same year saw Rob take over as Chairman and Managing Director and a number of mergers followed with W.J.Seabrook in Victoria and Caon & Co in South Australia and  Western  Australia, to form a new  national  company, Tucker Seabrook.

Rob and Judy recognised the critical need for the marketplace to learn more about product quality and were in the forefront of trade and consumer education in Australia.  There are many firsts; the creation of an extensive and educational Wholesale Price Catalogue; the company Trade Days where all Principals participated at themed events and tutored tastings across Australia; the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards to recognise excellence in the on premise trade; their support of many educational bodies including their work to establish the Institute of Masters of Wine in this country (arguably the world’s most respected wine qualification) setting up simultaneous exams in the UK and Australia.

To reward excellence in winemaking they set up the Tucker Seabrook Australian Wine of the Year Award where each year the top wines from all Australian major wine shows are pitted against each other for the ultimate award -  Australia’s Wine of the Year.

They have long been supporters of Restaurant & Catering NSW, sponsoring the Tucker Seabrook Wine List of the Year Award in Sydney and with Henschke Wines, the prestigious Restaurateur of the Year award. They have also sponsored other State RCA’s across Australia and nationally are Foundation Sponsors of Restaurant and Catering Australia as well as with Henschke, Founding Sponsors of RCA’s National Lifetime Achiever and Young Achiever Awards.

Rob and Judy’s directorships, memberships and contributions to so many organisations within the hospitality industry and their support of so many educational and charitable institutions over the last 30 years is testament to their commitment to our industry and our community.

In 2005, Rob and Judy merged Tucker Seabrook with the Lion Nathan Wine Group’s distribution arm – Distinguished Vineyards to create a 50/50 Joint Venture called Fine Wine Partners. This joint venture enabled the merging of the best both parties had to offer to the industry and today Fine Wine Partners continues to go from strength to strength in the pursuit of excellence in servicing the Australian Liquor industry.

Both Rob and Judy’s passion for the industry and for the people in it have garnered them well-deserved support and praise from peers and competitors alike.

Rob & Judy Hirst were inducted into the Restaurant & Catering NSW Hall of Fame in 2005.