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Wine industry pays tribute to ‘trailblazer’ Hazel Murphy

Hazel Murphy, a “great friend” to and trailblazing champion of the Australian wine industry, has died.

Austrialian Wine Bureau’s CEO, Hazel Murphy and John Clerides at Marquis Wine Cellar (Photo: Raj Taneja/Flickr)

Murphy, who spent more that 20 years working with producers in Australia, is credited as one of the sector’s leading lights and helped to raise the reputation of the nation’s wineries on an international level, particularly in the UK.

Murphy became chief executive of the Australian Wine Bureau in Europe, part of what was then called Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (now Wine Australia), in 1985. In her 17-years at the helm, she ran promotions, press trips and events that had a significant impact on the country’s exports. She opened the first Australian Wine Bureau office in London in 1986.

Her ‘glass in the hand’ promotion contributed to a steady increase of Australian wine exports, growing from AUS$1.4 million in the 12 months to June 1985, to $897.1 million by 2002, when she her intention to leave the bureau and become the European consultant and director of Chapel Hill Winery in McLaren Vale.

Murphy was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1996, and also received the Maurice O’Shea Award for her outstanding contribution to the industry. She passed away on 1 January 2020.

Former Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation Chief Executive Sam Tolley said her “originality and tenacious energy brought the English wine trade together behind the fledgling Australian wine presence in the UK during the early eighties.

“Winemakers could not have asked for a stronger champion with her inimitable powers of persuasion. Hazel was a “force majeure” and much loved by the very broad church of those who brought Australia to be the leading wine country in the UK. Hazel will be sadly missed.”

Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark said exports “would not be where they are today” without Murphy’s contribution.

“She was a passionate, tireless advocate for Australian wine and a trailblazer for Australia wine exports to the UK and Europe. Our wine exports would not be where they are today where it not for Hazel. We will miss her.”

Wine Australia’s UK-based Regional General Manager EMEA, Laura Jewell MW, said: “I am very privileged to have followed in her footsteps and will always remember her as a friend and inspiration. She will be sorely missed both here in the UK and by all the wineries in Australia. She is an integral part of the history of Australian wine on the global stage.”

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