MartinE

[Tyson]

Dear friends,

It was on the Auswine Forum some 13 or 14 years ago that I first met Brisbane property identity Martin Edwards (MartinE). We hosted the first Brisbane offline together with Ged Connors and our partners in 1999 or 2000, which led to regular blind tastings, dinners, verticals and even island weekends together with Mark Kopec, Lincoln Scott, Andrew Burge, Andrew Stannard, Scott Farraway and many other friends, ultimately culminating in the Brisbane Monday Night Club.

Marty was an inspiration and motivation to us all. He had a great palate, an even better sense of humour, knew great wine, was endlessly opinionated and never took any bullshit.

Marty was a driving force in hosting tastings and introducing us young guys to serious wine like we'd never tasted before.

From a personal point of view, I owe much to Marty's generosity and encouragement. It was at these tastings that I started to wonder whether there might be a career opportunity for me in wine, ultimately prompting the publication of my first wine book in 2002. Marty's encouragement and voice of common sense spurred me on, perhaps more than even he was aware.

Marty has faced a tough battle with cancer for some years and passed away suddenly at 5pm last night. Our thoughts, love and prayers are with Christine and their kids.

We first met Marty here at Auswine, and even though most of us are not particularly active here any more, I thought this the right place to post a note of respect to this much loved, larger-than-life friend of so many of us.

We will make an opportunity to get together with the Brisbane crew sometime soon to raise a glass in honour of Martin Edwards. I'm sure that's what he would have us do.

We miss you, Marty.

Regards to everyone,

Tyson.

[GraemeG]

Thanks for the news, be it so sad, Tyson.
Please pass my condolences on to his family.
I remember many of those threads back around the turn of the century.
"Martine", as I always thought of him, was always an informed and erudite chap.
Bugger.
GG

[dlo]

Very sorry to hear of this, Tyson. Sincere condolences to Martin's family and friends. May he rest in peace.

[Michael McNally]

Thanks Tyson

If any of the current Auswine offliners here in Brisbane can contribute in an any way, please let us know.

Kind regards

Michael

[n4sir]

I'm really sorry to hear this Tyson - always wondered what happened to that guy with the big bird avatar.

My condolences to you, his family and all his fiends at this tough time.

Cheers,
Ian

[Wizz]

It was Marty, along with Tyson, Lincoln, Andrew Stannard, Ged Connors and a few others who were there at the start, when we all found our feet and our various ways in wine.

None of us are big Auswine contributors any more, but have all made our ways in the world. Tyson's fame is clear. Lincoln has his own blog at Brisbane Book Club. My involvement in Auburn Wines is a product of the adventure that started all those years ago.

And its a numb feeling, knowing Martin has gone to God. Larger than life, with a heart to match and generosity that I personally benefitted from in terms of knowledge and alcohol volume! .

If you knew him - raise a glass. If you didn't - raise one anyway. He was one of the handful of stalwarts that got the Auswine forum up and running in about 2003.

[Tyson]

Well said, Wizz.

Martin's funeral service will be held at 2pm on Wednesday 13th November at Kelvin Grove Chapel, 270 Kelvin Grove Rd, Kelvin Grove.

Regards,

Tyson.

[via collins]

Martin E was well before my time on Auswine, but I feel his impact through the kind words above.

Condolences from Melbourne, and rest assured, the next glass of good wine will be toasted to MartinE's memory.

Cheers.

[Gary W]

Sorry to hear. Remember him, met him once or twice. Nice guy. Will raise a glass. Thanks for posting Tyson.

[Campbell Mattinson]

Such sad news.

I never met MartinE in person but we had regular correspondence via email for a few years there. All because of this forum and later via winefront. He was never shy to give direct business and wine advice, some of which I even agreed with His heart was always every bit in the right place and from a distance his bigness of spirit and generosity was always clear. Hollow feeling to think that he's no longer with us. He was close friends with the folks who now run/own Seville Estate in the Yarra Valley so tonight, something from Seville will be raised in his honour.

Rest in peace, MartinE.

[Luke W]

Wasn't Martin responsible for the RedBigot tag one night when Brian professed his dislike of white wines?