Andrew Hardy

Andrew’s great great grandfather Thomas Hardy is known as the ‘father of the South Australian wine industry’. Arriving in South Australia in 1850, Thomas Hardy first found work with John Reynell at Reynella Farm and learned much of winemaking from fellow workers. Establishing vineyards, warehousing and retail across South Australia in the late 1880s & early 1900s, the Hardy brand was highly successful across the new colony and overseas.

Following the natural order of his family tree, Andrew Hardy studied winemaking before commencing his winemaking career in 1982 working for Brian Croser at Petaluma Wines, one of the earliest vineyards established in the Adelaide Hills, a region now known for premium, cool-climate wine production.  

During this period, he completed winemaking stints in California, Oregon and Bordeaux before taking the reins at Knappstein Enterprise Winery in Clare for ten years. While in Clare, Andrew was awarded the Warren Winiarski Trophy for 'Best Cabernet in the World' and the Trophy for 'Best Australian Red Wine' for his Enterprise Cabernet, he was also pivotal in the industry's adoption of the Screwcap closure.

In addition to his extensive winemaking experience, Andrew has also completed the Executive Program for Growing Companies at Stanford University, California, presides as Chairman on the Royal Adelaide Wine Show and is President of The Royal Agricultural and Horticultural Society of South Australia board. 

Known for his elegant winemaking style, engaging manner and penchant for pink shirts, Andrew’s winemaking philosophy would be described as minimalist, allowing the quality of the vineyard and fruit to do the talking.  

In 2018 Andrew joined The Usual Suspects Collective to oversee winemaking and viticulture operations over their 7 brands, together with his own label Ox Hardy Wines.