Ox Hardy, McLaren Vale, South Australia

A row of Ox Hardy's 1891 Ancestor Vine shiraz

Ox Hardy, McLaren Vale, South Australia

Andrew ‘Ox’ Hardy is one of Australia’s most respected winemakers and his family’s Upper Tintara Vineyard is one of Australia’s most important and historical viticultural assets. The Vineyard’s last remaining 2.54ha block of 1891 Ancestor Vines was planted by Andrew’s great-great grandfather Thomas Hardy, the ‘Father of the South Australian Wine Industry’.

When Thomas Hardy purchased the Upper Tintara vineyard in McLaren Vale in 1871, it heralded the foundation of one of Australia’s greatest winemaking dynasties. Today the picturesque 115 Ha property is still owned by the Hardy family and consists of native protected scrub and approx 45 Ha of vines, including the Ancestor Vine Shiraz, millennium Shiraz plantings, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. There are small amounts of Touriga, Cinsault and Fiano as well as 1971 plantings of Sauvignon Blanc used for Fortified.

The Upper Tintara vineyard was planted in 1891, the last remaining 2.54 Ha block of Ancestor Vines still produces exceptionally high-quality fruit that Andrew has been making small amounts of hand crafted wine from for over two decades. Referred to as Bob’s selection after Andrew’s father, cuttings from these grandfather vines have been borrowed by neighbours over time, to plant some of the most celebrated vineyards in the district. Unlike other vines of similar longevity, they still appear youthful and barely half their age to the naked eye. They also produce yields of a much younger and heathier vines.

For more information:

https://oxhardywines.com.au/ 
https://www.instagram.com/oxhardywines/