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 are the proud custodians of the Upper Tintara Vineyard, which is one of Australia’s most important and historical viticultural assets. The Upper Tintara vineyard is nestled in the upper hills of McLaren Vale in the Blewitt Springs sub-region. The picturesque 115 hectare vineyard is made up of 45 hectares of vines and beautiful native bushland. The vines include the 1891 Ancestor Vine Shiraz, millennium Shiraz plantings, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc and there are small amounts of Touriga, Cinsault and Fiano, as well as 1971 plantings of Sauvignon Blanc used for Fortified. The vineyard is also home to the original, gravity fed winery used by his ancestors. Unused since 1923, in 2018 with beeswax and elbow grease alone, Ox renovated the old slate fermenters to use in the inaugural, and totally unique, Slate Shiraz.
The vineyard’s last remaining 2.54ha block of 1891 Ancestor Vines was planted by Andrew’s great-great grandfather Thomas Hardy, known as the ‘Father of the South Australian Wine Industry’. Andrew has been making small amounts of hand crafted wine from these ancestor vines for over two decades. Referred to as Bob’s selection after Andrew’s father, cuttings from these grandfather vines have been borrowed by neighbours to plant some of the most celebrated vineyards in the district. Unlike other vines of similar longevity, they still appear youthful and produce yields better than much younger vines.
Ox has made wines for a select group of people over the past forty years, but he says there’s nothing more thrilling and daunting than putting your name to your craft. Today, as the climate warms and our industry evolves, Ox finds himself planting new varieties that will ensure the sustainability of the Upper Tintara Vineyard for future generations of the Hardy family to enjoy in the years to come.
For more information:
https://oxhardywines.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/oxhardywines/