Our People

Our Winemakers

We've followed in the footsteps of our founder and our first Chief Winemaker until 1890, Thomas Hardy. Ever since it has been our Chief Winemaker's responsibility to continue Thomas’ vision of creating ‘wines that will be prized in the markets of the world’.

Paul Lapsley

Chief Winemaker —

Paul Lapsley is our 19th Chief Winemaker and, like all his predecessors, his mission is to fulfil Thomas Hardy’s vision of creating ‘wines that would be prized in all markets around the world’. His dedication and passion for winemaking ensures that all of our wines continue to push the boundaries of viticulture whilst maintaining the high quality of wines for which Hardys is famous. Paul’s incredible palate brings a distinct quality and character to all his wines.

Our Family

Since Thomas Hardy founded the company in 1853, six generations of the Hardy family have worked for the business – across the business, from the vineyard to the winery and beyond.

Thomas Hardy

First Generation and Founder —

Thomas Hardy was always an enterprising man. Born into a farming family in Devon, England, in 1830, he saw great opportunity in the colonies, deciding to emigrate to Australia in 1850, aged 20.
From the outset, Thomas worked hard, investing hard earned money in his very first property ‘Bankside’ on the River Torrens. Among the many fruits and vegetables he planted, vines became a major interest.
By 1876, he expanded into McLaren Vale by purchasing The Tintara Vineyard Company. By 1894, Thomas Hardy had become the largest winemaker in the colony, and the press labelled him ‘the father of the wine industry in South Australia’.

Explore Our Story

Thomas Hardy Nottage

Second Generation  —

Thomas Hardy Nottage was Thomas Hardy’s nephew, and he began working for his uncle at the age of 15 in 1884. He spent his early years amongst the vines becoming the manager of the Tintara vineyards.
During WWI, Tom Nottage had to take on the additional responsibility of making the wine at Tintara. This led to him being appointed cellar manager, as well as vineyard manager until 1941.
When he finally retired in 1950, he had been working for Hardys Wines for 66 years. The company made a decision that his exceptional service should be recognised and one of the prime vineyards at Tintara was re-named ‘Nottage Hill’.

Nottage Hill Wines

Eileen Hardy

Third Generation —

Eileen Hardy was born Eileen Ponder, in 1893, at Nuriootpa in the Barossa Valley. She met her husband, Tom Mayfield Hardy, through their mutual love of sailing.
Eileen’s husband Tom, became managing director of Thomas Hardy and Sons soon after his return from WWI, but was tragically killed in the ‘Kyeema’ aircrash in 1938.
Eileen subsequently took on the role of brand ambassador for Hardys Wines, and became so well-known by wine lovers that everyone called her ‘Auntie Eileen’.
In 1977, her enormous contribution to the Australian wine industry was recognised when she was made an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Eileen Hardy Wines

Sir James Hardy

Fourth Generation —

James (Jim) Hardy is Tom and Eileen Hardy’s youngest child. Jim grew up sharing his parents’ passion for the sea and, at the age of 14, built his first boat.
Jim joined the company in its centenary year, 1953, and worked in a variety of roles before transferring to Sydney as director and manager for New South Wales.
Jim is perhaps best known in Australia as a legendary yachtsman. He has sailed successfully in Admiral’s Cups, America’s Cups and Olympic Games, and he was awarded an OBE and knighted for his services to yachting and the community. In Jim’s honour, Hardys Wines released the Sir James sparkling wine range in the late 1980s.

Sir James Wines

Bill Hardy

Fifth Generation —

William (Bill) Hardy, son of Thomas and Barbara Hardy, loved farming, but his fellow ag science students reminded him of the benefits of his wine heritage.
Bill’s father even advised him to head to France in 1972 to study for the French winemaking degree at the Universite de Bordeaux. Bill’s winemaking career spanned 23 years, making wine in South Australia, Western Australia and France.
Bill then became Hardys Brand Ambassador, spending two decades travelling Australia and the world, ensuring the wine world was left in no doubt about the unique heritage, unrivalled product portfolio and outstanding quality of Hardys wines.

William Hardy Wines

Our Team

Wines are not the product of one person, and Hardys Wines are no different, we are lucky to have some of the most talented viticulture and winemaking teams around. From our dedicated growers, to the hard working people bringing Hardys Wines to customers around the world, our family is made up of so many people.