Presenting a series of Sunday's showcasing the stories from Wine, Beer & Spirits of the Fleurieu.

These are reproduced with permission from Soul Publishing and Rojina Duval.

These stories feature prominent farmers, fishermen, producers and chefs – from Port Noarlunga to Cape Jervis – along with their favourite recipes and tips. Enjoy!

When 20-year-old Thomas Hardy arrived in Australia from Devon, England, in 1850, he found his first job with South Australia's pioneer winemaker, John Reynell.

A year later however, like so many others of his generation, he left for Victoria to join the gold rush in the hopes of finding a fortune, but like so many others of his generation, he found no gold. He did, however, make some money as a butcher in the gold fields selling meat to the miners. Then, fortunately for his great-greatgrandson William David Hardy, he returned to South Australia and to winemaking.

“I didn’t intend to follow in his footsteps,” says William. “I’d really enjoyed working on my uncle’s farm during school holidays, so I started a degree in Agricultural Science with the intention of becoming a wheat/sheep farmer. Midway through my studies however, my peers suggested I should investigate the opportunities in the winemaking business that my family had been running for generations. In a matter of months, I was smitten!

“The fundamental agricultural base of winemaking and the challenges of dealing with subtly different raw material (grapes) each year, certainly appealed to my love of nature, of agriculture, of hands-on, outdoor work.

“This new passion for wine, and especially its production, ultimately took me to the Universite de Bordeaux where I obtained the French national qualification in winemaking, the Diplome National d’Oenologue. It has turned out to be the best decision I have made in my life!”

Whilst Hardy’s Tintara makes a small amount of white wine, the majority of the production is premium and ultra-premium red wine made from renowned French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese grape varieties. Winemaker Matthew Caldersmith is the man responsible for making the reds.

“Thomas Hardy hopped off that boat in Port Adelaide in 1850 with 30 pounds sterling in his pocket and no job,” says William. “And yet, today the company he started is the backbone of the largest wine producer in Australia, and the Hardy’s brand is the biggest-selling wine brand from anywhere in the world in his home country – the United Kingdom. Knowing that, I think you begin to understand what an amazing journey it has been.”

Winemaker Matthew Caldersmith

CELLAR DOOR

“A visit to Hardy's Tintara is not just about tasting wine, but experiencing the rich history that goes into running a business over 165 years.

“The Hardy's Tintara winery, on the main street of McLaren Vale, has been at the heart and soul of the region from the very beginning. In 1878 Thomas Hardy transformed an old flourmill into one of the region’s best wine cellars, and with his success, the township of McLaren Vale began to prosper and grow.

“Today, we are proud to still be the home of Hardy's and able to showcase the original winery, as well as combine time-honoured winemaking techniques with the best of today’s technology.

“Experience it for yourself from our new Winery Viewing Platform, or explore our history in our Fortified Room, wander through our gardens, browse through the Fleurieu Arthouse and make sure you experience our tastings of icon, regional and cellar-door-only wines.”

PAIRING

“Try Hardy's Tintara 2018 Fiano with a plate of freshly caught Myponga salt and pepper squid.” 

ADDRESS 202 Main Road, McLaren Vale

WEBSITE

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