Our Story
Then, Now & Always. Certainty In Every Bottle.
From the moment Thomas Hardy arrived in Australia in 1850, to the wide range of quality wines we produce today - you can always be certain of Hardys Wines.
Dive into our rich history
Discover our philosophy
Discover the McLaren Vale
Meet the Winemakers
The Story Begins
The story of Hardys begins with the very man who gave us his name, Thomas Hardy. From the moment he arrived in Australia in 1850, his ingenuity, determination and hard work built a business that has lasted more than 160 years.
Born on the farm
1830
Thomas Hardy was born in the small village of Gittisham, in Devon, England. He was one of generations of Hardys who lived and farmed in the Devon countryside.
A New Century
“Generally regarded as the father of the wine industry in South Australia, he was a grand pioneer who came to Australia as a young man and by his unbounded energy built up business which is known in both hemispheres and which played an important part in winning for the central State such pre-eminence as the producer of wine.”
The Register Newspaper at the time of Thomas Hardy’s death
UP IN FLAMES
1904
By 1900, Thomas Hardy and Sons was the largest winemaker in South Australia, so when Thomas’ original winery at Bankside burnt to the ground in 1904, it could have been a devastating blow, but Thomas took it in his stride, moving on to his new larger site at Mile End.
International Success
“The Hardy wine empire is preparing to celebrate its 150th year since Thomas Hardy planted his first vineyard on the outskirts of Adelaide. More than 7.6 million cases of wine are now sold worldwide under the Hardy's brand each year that equates to a bottle being bought every four seconds… Old Thomas Hardy would be very proud of how far his company has reached.”
ABC National Rural News, 2003
THE MATRIARCH RECEIVES HER DUES
1973
Eileen’s four children decided to celebrate their mother’s 8oth Birthday with the best wine in the company, the first Eileen Hardy Shiraz. An accolade only briefly eclipsed by the Order of the British Empire she received from the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1976.
Meet the Hardys family
Thomas Hardy
The founder of Hardys Wines. By 1876 he purchased The Tintara Vineyard Company. By 1894, Thomas Hardy had become the largest winemaker in the colony, and the press labelled him ‘the father of the wine industry in South Australia’.
Thomas Hardy Nottage
Thomas Hardy Nottage was Thomas Hardy’s nephew, and he began working for his uncle at the age of 15 in 1884.
He retired in 1941 after working for Hardys Wines for 66 years. The company made a decision that his exceptional service should be recognised and one of the prime vineyards at Tintara was re-named ‘Nottage Hill’.
Eileen Hardy
Born in 1893, Eileen took on the role of brand ambassador for Hardys Wines in 1938 after her husband, Tom Mayfield Hardy, was tragically killed in the ‘Kyeema’ aircrash. She became so well-known by wine lovers that everyone called her ‘Auntie Eileen’.
In 1977, her enormous contribution to the Australian wine industry was recognised when she was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Sir James Hardy
James (Jim) Hardy is Tom and Eileen Hardy’s youngest child.
Jim joined the company in its centenary year, 1953, and worked in a variety of roles before transferring to Sydney as director and manager for New South Wales.
Jim is perhaps best known in Australia as a legendary yachtsman. He has sailed successfully in Admiral’s Cups, America’s Cups and Olympic Games, and he was awarded an OBE and knighted for his services to yachting and the community. In Jim’s honour, Hardys Wines released the Sir James sparkling wine range in the late 1980s.
Bill Hardy
William (Bill) Hardy, son of Thomas and Barbara Hardy.
Bill’s father advised him to head to France in 1972 to study for the French winemaking degree at the Universite de Bordeaux. Bill’s winemaking career spanned 23 years, making wine in South Australia, Western Australia and France.
Bill then became Hardys Brand Ambassador, spending two decades travelling Australia and the world, ensuring the wine world was left in no doubt about the unique heritage, unrivalled product portfolio and outstanding quality of Hardys wines.
Our Philosophy
Then, Now & Always. Certainty In Every Bottle
Today our winemakers continue to uphold Hardy’s pioneering and visionary spirit, crafting quality wines for consumers to enjoy across the globe. This long-standing commitment to quality, backed by over 9000 medals, ensures that whatever bottle our consumers choose, they can be confident and certain that Hardy’s is their best choice.
Hardys Winemaking Team
Key to the success of Hardys has been a lineage of incredible winemakers. Each bringing their own rich winemaking skills that goes back for more than 175 years.
Our current Hardys winemaking team is exceptional and each brings their own diverse thinking to ensure Hardys is constantly refining and improving our wines, whilst honouring the winemaking techniques of their predecessors.
(L - R)
Matthew Caldersmith, Viki Wade, Helen McCarthy, Sam Milne
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