Josef Chromy OAM (born in 1930 in Czechoslovakia) has been instrumental to the Tasmanian food and wine industry having owned and developed some of Tasmania’s leading wineries.

Josef’s personal journey from penniless immigrant to successful food and wine entrepreneur has been an inspiration for many in Tasmania. “I came here with nothing but hope and ambition over 50 years ago. Tasmanians welcomed me and, with their help, I have been rewarded for the challenges and risks I have taken on in both the meat and wine industries”. Over the next 40 years he used his skills as a Master Butcher and Smallgoods Maker to build his business, Blue Ribbon Meat Products, into one of Tasmania’s leading brands.

In 1993 Blue Ribbon was floated on the Australian Stock Exchange, and Josef used the money to invest in Tasmania’s fledgling wine industry. Since then Josef has owned and developed some of Tasmania’s leading wineries.