HISTORY

Thomas Hardy, often called "Father of the South Australian Wine Industry", is
the founder of Hardys Wines. It is now a part of the Accolade Wines.
It is the most sought-after Australian wine brand in United Kingdom and has a
significant presence in Europe.
After leaving Devon, Thomas Hardy started working with John Reynell, the first
winemaker of South Australia in 1850. Taking his passion for winemaking
forward, Thomas bought property at Bankside in 1853.
In 1857, Thomas becomes one of the first to export Australian wine with its
Bankside vintage. 1870 saw the coming up of Oomoo range.

Another acquisition came in 1876 when Thomas bought the

Tintara winery and vineyards located in McLaren Vale. Thomas
wines continued progressing and winning International wine
awards in Bordeaux and Paris in 1882 and 1889 respectively.
Thomas Hardys nephew Thomas Hardy Nottage, became part of
the family business in 1884. It was followed by Thomas Hardys
sons joining in 1887 and the company name changed to Thomas
Hardy & Sons. A setback occurred in 1904 with Bankside cellars
was burnt down by fire.
In 1912, Thomas Hardy passed away and his son Robert
Burrough Hardy took the responsibility of the family business
over his shoulders. Unfortunately, in 1938, grandson of Thomas
Hardy, Tom Mayfield Hardy met with an accident and died after
which his wife, Eileen Hardy and his cousin Kenneth Hardy
joined the winery.
In 1950, Thomas Hardy Nottage retired after working for 66
years at the McLaren winery. In 1973, Eileen Hardys 80th
birthday celebration was marked by the launching of Eileen
Hardy Shiraz wine. It became quite popular and well-liked. Her
contribution to Australian wine industry was recognized and she
was awarded an Order of the British Empire.
In 1980, James Hardy, the youngest son of Tom and Eileen
became chairman. Eileen Hardy Chardonnay was released to
match the success of Eileen Hardy Shiraz in 1987. At World
Expositon, another fresh range of wines Hardys Stamp was
launched in Brisbane. In respect of Thomas Hardys great
grandson, Sir James, sparkling wines were released in 1989.
2003 marked the 150th anniversary of the brand with the rerelease of Oomoo range and the appointment of Paul Lapsley as
the chief winemaker. To honor 40 years of valuable service by
William Hardy, William Hardy range was launched in 2012.

VINEYARDS

Chateau Reynella

Tintara Vineyard

BANKSIDE VINEYARD

POPULAR WINE BRANDS

EILEEN HARDY

HRB
THE GREATEST CATCH

WINEMAKER'S RARE RELEASE

THOMAS HARDY

RARE FORTIFIEDS
THE JOURNEY

TINTARA

SIR JAMES

INSIGNIA

RIDDLE

THE CHRONICLES

HORSESHOE ROW

STAMP

OOMOO

RR

WILLIAM HARDY

CREST

MAIN ROAD

NOTTAGE HILL

SIEGERSDORF

AWARDS

Hardys was the first Australian wine brand to be

awarded two Gold medals at the International Wine
Shows- in Bordeaux in 1882 and in Paris in1889.
Eileen Hardy awarded the Order of the British Empire
award in 1976.
Hardys is a 5-star rated winery by James Halliday Wine
Companion awards and 13 of its wines have 90+ points.