Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/455266
60 / the tasting panel / january/february 2015 Brand Pitch Brand Pitch A Joint Initiative by BeverageTradeNetwork.com and Wine Australia for the U.S. Market Down Under For more information and presenta- tion on Wines by Geoff Hardy, see BeverageTradeNetwork.com/ WineAustralia. The Geoff Hardy team (left to right): Sebastian Hardy, son and Sales Manager, Hand Crafted by Geoff Hardy; Bec Hardy, daughter and Sales Manager; founder Geoff Hardy; and Richard Dolan, son-in-law and General Manager. PHOTO: KATE PARDEY, COURTESY OF WINES BY GEOFF HARDY Goal Partner with a U.S. wine importer and build the brand together. Winery History In 1987, Geoff Hardy—a fifth-generation descendant of South Australian wine pioneer Thomas Hardy—found the ideal site for outstanding cool-climate grapes in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. The vineyard became known as the K1 Vineyard, as this unique, groundbreaking site was the first commercial planting of vines in the Kuitpo (pronounced ky-po) region. Drawing on five generations of viticultural experience to develop techniques for producing consistent ultra-premium fruit, Geoff worked hard to develop the rolling hills of this beautiful property into what it is today. Geoff has become a pioneer in the region for alternative varieties, planting varieties from all corners of the globe in an effort to find the ideal match for the terroir. Today, the K1 by Geoff Hardy wines are considered to be among Australia's finest ultra-premium, single-estate wines, recognized by leading wine writer James Halliday as some of Australia's best. Winemaker Bio Senior Winemaker Shane Harris is also a chef by trade and uses the skills honed in the kitchen to exert a "gastronomic intelligence" in his winemaking philosophy at Wines by Geoff Hardy. With more than ten years of experience in the cellar, Shane believes in earning his stripes, having started as a cellarhand and spent many long nights studying the science of wine in the pursuit of his winemaking goals. Having been involved in the K1 winemaking since 2006, Shane was appointed Senior Winemaker in 2011, following Geoff's acquisition of the remaining share of Pertaringa Wines. Shane relies on the vines to translate the unique message of the vineyard into something tangible and sees his role as "not losing the message between picking the grapes and opening the bottle." The Pitch Why Importers Should Add Wines by Geoff Hardy to Their Portfolio: Family-owned; a 160-year-old family tradition in grape growing and winemaking. Assuring high quality; all the wines are from single vineyard and single estate. Refined, cool climate-style wines with a selection of Point Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon that have high reputation in Adelaide Hills, Australia. Award-winning wines, highly recommended by wine critics, including James Halliday, Robert Parker, etc. Recent Awards and Achievements Australian Winery of the Year 2012 & Australian Winemaker of the Year 2012—Winestate Magazine Five Star Winery—James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion 2015 Wines by Geoff Hardy: Five Generations of Experience