South Australian wine icon and champion yachtsman, Sir James Hardy has died

The Australian wine industry is in mourning as news hit last night of the passing of Sir James Hardy at 90.

Widely admired and a true gentleman of the industry, Sir James continued to represent the Hardy’s brand throughout his life. The most recent event I was privileged to attend with Sir James was at Otto’s in Sydney earlier this year, celebrating the launch of the 2019 Eileen Hardy Shiraz, 2021 Chardonnay, and 2021 Pinot Noir.

Sir James joined the family wine company in 1953, working as a shipping clerk and through the ranks to become chairman in 1981 and non-executive director in 1992 when it became BRL Hardy Wine Company. In recent years, under the banner of Accolade Wines, Sir James continued as an ambassador for one of Australia’s iconic and much-loved wine dynasties.

Along with the wine industry, Sir James was well known for his exploits on the water, representing Australia at two Olympic games, 1964 in Tokyo and 1968 in Mexico. In 1981 he was knighted by the Queen for services to yachting and in 1994 he was inducted into the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.

Sir James will always be remembered for the true gentleman that he was and for the time he donated to public service such as the Neurosurgical Research Foundation of South Australia (serving on the executive committee for 25 years) and Landcare Australia.  

I had the pleasure of interviewing Sir James on two occasions, and aside from the wonderful insight into the Australian wine industry through the second half of the last century, I also received a hand-written letter of thanks post-publication. The only hand-written letter I have received this century.

Sir James was beloved by many people, not least the colleagues that spent time with him on a regular basis. 

Travis Fuller, ex-colleague and now general manager at South Australian winery, Kilikanoon, said “Australia has lost one of its great people.  I was lucky enough to spend many days with Jim both in Australia and internationally.  While they called him “Gentleman Jim” which he was, once you were out with him on his cutter the Nerida, everything changed.  He was focused and a fighter!  It was truly an honour to spend time with him. And he will be sadly missed.  All of our love to the extended Hardy family as well as the equally kind and generous Lady Joan Hardy at this difficult time.

"Sir James would come into the Accolade office once a month to go through his mail and to say hello to everyone.  He would always pull me aside and ask who was “new” in the office and I would give him the details.  He would then walk around and make sure he introduced himself and welcome them to the business while imparting a little history of the Hardys brand.  A gentleman in the truest sense."

I recall being on the Nerida on a perfect autumn day in Sydney Harbour.  Sailing as always with Sir James.  Taking anchor off Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, then spending the afternoon eating Lady Joan’s fresh Anzac biscuits while drinking bottomless glasses of Sir James Pinot Chardonnay.  Truly hard to beat. I will be raising a glass of said sparkling tonight. 

Statement from Accolade Wines – Sir James Hardy passing:

We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Sir James' passing.

Sir James joined the company in 1953 and he remained a devoted brand ambassador for Hardys right up until this year.

His recent visit to our Sydney office was recalled fondly by our team and from all reports his charm, wit and flair for telling a great yarn were undiminished. He chatted for a couple of hours with the team and signed his book An Adventurous Life– a memento of a life lived to the fullest that we will cherish and ensure takes its rightful place at our home at Tintara in the McLaren Vale.

While Sir James is perhaps best known for his sailing and Olympic achievements, we would like to honour his immeasurable contribution to the Australian wine industry and for faithfully continuing the legacy of Hardys Wines that his great grandfather Sir Thomas Hardy founded 170 years ago.