‘Humble to the core’: Francis d’Arry Osborn remembered at McLaren Vale memorial; hundreds attend

Some of the biggest names in the state’s wine industry gathered Tuesday to farewell the famed d’Arenberg winemaker.

d'Arry Osborn outside the iconic d’Arrenberg Cube. Picture: Tait Schmaal.

Some 500 friends, family and neighbours gathered on the lawns of d’Arenberg in McLaren Vale on Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the life of Australian winemaking legend, Francis “d’Arry” Osborn.

d’Arry, as he was affectionately known, who launched the now famous d’Arenberg label in 1959, passed away on December 16 at the age of 95.

Among a collection of high-profile wine industry guests were Stephen Henschke (Henschke wines), Peter Barry (Jim Barry Wines), Steve Pannell (SC Pannell), Geoff Hardy (K1) and Corrina Wright (Oliver’s Taranga) as well as former premiers Steven Marshall and Dean Brown.

In speaking of his father, d’Arenberg’s fourth-generation winemaker Chester Osborn said: “I am who I am because of my father.”

d’Arry Osborn’s grandaughter Alicia and son Chester Osborn. Picture: Bianca De Marchi

“In giving advice to younger people, he said ‘keep an open mind, don’t be afraid to have a go at anything, be a bit bold and treat everyone with respect’,” Chester said. “And he treated everyone with respect. He was such a beautiful man. And he never raised his voice.”

Stories were affectionately told by friends and family, including his granddaughter Alicia, who recalled how d’Arry would save and reuse the clingwrap from newspaper deliveries as one of his thrifty habits.

Francis d'Arenberg “d'Arry” Osborn tending to grapevines at his winery in 1976. Picture: The News

Francis d'Arenberg “d'Arry” Osborn as chairman of McLaren Vale Bushing Festival Ltd., pouring a glass of d'Arenberg Wines burgundy in 1975.

d'Arry Osborn with a bottle of d'Arenberg Wines 1970 burgundy, bearing the 50 Year Seal commemorating the 50th year of the winery in 1978.

He was known for his regular trips to the bank and post office, where he would happily chat with locals.

“Humble to the core,” was how wine writer Katie Spain described d’Arry in her speech. “Omnipresent,” was the word used by Bill Hardy of Hardys Wines, whose family has long connection with the Osborns.

In his speech, Mr Hardy said: “d’Arry was an anchor; he stopped us from drifting aimlessly … and made sure we all worked as hard as he did to promote this district. He was a rock; he emphasised time and time again how important a solid foundation was. He was a pillar; he emphasised that we need to support one another. He was an ambassador; he would go everywhere and talk about McLaren Vale and talk about wine. And he was a champion in both the promotional and competitive sense. He will be greatly missed.”

d'Arry Osborn and Chester Osborn in 2012. Picture: Calum Robertson

d'Arry Osborn.

Prior to 1959, the year in which d’Arry launched the d’Arenberg label with its renowned diagonal red stripe, the winery made mostly bulk table and fortified wines for export.

He was not professionally trained, instead learning the craft from industry colleagues – among them Max Schubert of Penfolds. “They were not competition, they were friends,” d’Arry would say.

In his lifetime, d’Arry saw more than 70 vintages. His awards included the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy in 1969 for d’Arry’s 1968 cabernet sauvignon; the Queen’s Jubilee Medal in 1978; and a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2004 for his contribution to the wine industry and the McLaren Vale region.