Last week, Wine Communicators of Australia (WCA) named Bill Hardy, Global Brand Ambassador and fifth generation winemaking family member for Hardys Wines, the 2015 South Australian Legend of the Vine.

Bill was honoured with the award at the WCA Royal Adelaide Wine Show Awards Lunch at the Adelaide Showgrounds before an audience of 350 industry peers and corporate guests.

As well as becoming a life member of WCA, the newest Legend of the Vine finds himself added to a prestigious list, including WCA Patron James Halliday, Rob Hirst, Patrick Iland, David Lowe, Phil Laffer, Chris Anstee and Lyndey Milan.

WCA Chair Angus Barnes said: “In his 43 years with Hardys, Bill has been unwavering in his commitment to sharing and engaging consumers around the world with his family’s 163-year-old story.

“Today he travels the world – from the Caribbean to Lords’ Cricket Ground – combining his passion for science, environment, history and the simple pleasure of enjoying good wine. He is a great Ambassador for Hardys and for the entire Australian industry.”

The Legend of the Vine award recognises an individual who has demonstrated a passion for the Australian wine industry in their outstanding and lasting contributions – past, present, and future.

Bill Hardy said that being a part of this industry during the decades in which domestic consumption of the product has all but tripled, to the point of nearly overtaking beer as our Australia’s preferred tipple, has been an amazing experience.

“Even more impressive though, is to have witnessed – and hopefully aided – Australia in increasing its wine exports one hundred fold, to the point where our country has become the biggest supplier of wine to the world, other than the venerable ‘old world’ wine countries of France, Italy and Spain. It’s especially pleasing to see the Hardys brand riding this wave”, Mr. Hardy continued.

“It has been a privilege to be part of the phalanx of Australian winemakers who have circled the globe, telling the stories of Australian wine and making it come to life for far-flung consumers.

“To be recognised today by Wine Communicators of Australia for my own role in this resoundingly successful initiative is a high point in my career.

“I may have had the good fortune to be born with wine in my blood but my passion for the product, for growing the grapes, for making the wine and, particularly, for stimulating these passions in others, has been a deeply personal and satisfying life’s journey”, Bill concluded.

Image: Bill Hardy (left) with Sir James Hardy (right)