Wine
Hardys by name, Hardys by nature
One of the oldest, most influential wineries in Australia, Hardys continues - then, now and always - to win the hearts of the world’s wine lovers, even after 170 years.
One of the key qualities of the best wineries, the hook that brings wine lovers back again and again to their favourites, is consistency. It's an indelible part of the most-established identities in Australian wine - the surety that quality rests in every bottle, awaiting your enjoyment. And when it comes to that certainty, few names are so reliably excellent as Hardys, which over 170 years has carved out its place as one of the most highly regarded wineries in the country.
The Hardys story began with the man who would become a household name, Thomas Hardy. Arriving in Australia in 1850 with just £30 in his pocket and dreams of making world-class wine, over the ensuing decades - from his Bankside property on the River Torrens where Hardys Wines was born, to his passing in 1912 - Hardy came to be known as the father of the South Australian wine industry, leaving a legacy for consistently great wines that continues to this day.
Having played an instrumental role in protecting South Australia's vineyards from the scourge of phylloxera as a founding member of the Phylloxera Board in 1889, and as a tireless promotor of Australia's fruit and vine industries, Hardy became the first Australian winemaker to be honoured by his local community, with the people of McLaren Vale erecting a stone plinth to honour his memory some 26 years after his death.
CELEBRATING 170 YEARS OF CERTAINTY
This year, Hardys commemorates its 170th anniversary. From humble beginnings, today it stands as a powerhouse of Australian wine, selling over 7.6 million cases bearing the Hardys name to the four corners of the world. With more than 9,000 awards under its belt, Hardys has much to celebrate.
The significance of this achievement is not lost on current Chief Winemaker, Helen McCarthy, "This milestone is a true testament to the strength of the Hardys brand and the passion and dedication from custodians of the past, present, and no doubt those of the future, who will continue to uphold our founder Thomas Hardy's legacy." And what a legacy it is.
From the Eileen Hardy range, named for the indomitable first lady of Australian wine, to the flagship Thomas Hardy Cabernet Sauvignon, the Heritage Reserve Bin wines and the iconic Tintara, over 2 million glasses of Hardys wines are enjoyed each and every day around the globe.
As ABC National Rural News observed on the occasion of the winery's 150th anniversary in 2003, "Old Thomas Hardy would be very proud of how far his company has reached." And in every glass, that rich history is there to savour, as it has been for over a century and a half.
AUSTRALIA'S OLDEST BOTTLE OF WINE
Did you know that the oldest recorded surviving bottle of Australian wine is a Hardys? An 1867 Tintara Vineyards Association Claret made its way back to Australia in 1977 after a century spent in a dank English cellar, where it was purchased by the Sutherland Smith wine family. In 2001, Hardys bought the wine back for an undisclosed sum, returning it to its original home. It wouldn't make good drinking - its big red blend of Cabernet, Shiraz and Mataro would have peaked around 1900 - but its historical significance can't be overstated.
UPHOLDING THE LEGACY
Of course, key to the success of Hardys over the years has been its lineage of skilled winemakers, who continue to uphold Hardy's pioneering and visionary spirit. Under the sure hands of Helen McCarthy, Hardys' winemaking team is constantly working to refine and improve the range, whilst honouring the techniques of those who came before.
This commitment to the past, married with a passionate eye for both today and tomorrow, can't help but ensure consistently great wine. Such sustained excellence will certainly see the Hardys name live and thrive over the next 170 years.
We invite you to join us in celebrating one of the most enduring names in our industry on this most historic of occasions, with a glass of your favourite Hardys wine.
Learn more about the Hardys story and explore its range at hardyswines.com