The People at Kuitpo Vineyards

General Manager

Geoff completed his diploma in Wine Production in 1977 and commenced employment with his family's 125 year old wine business Thomas Hardy and Sons.

In 1980 with fellow viticultralist Ian Leask he purchased the promising Pertaringa vineyard in McLaren Vale from the Gilbey organisation. Pertaringa is still owned and managed by Ian and Geoff today.  { www.pertaringa.com.au }

Since this time he has been involved in the planting of about 3000 hectares of vines and consulted to over 200 different vineyards in Australia, France and Italy. His extensive knowledge of viticulture and wine production ensures the creation of outstanding wines.

Geoff won Wine Selectors Inaugural Australian Viticulturalist of the Year in 2005.

Sales & Marketing Manager

After completing her Viticultural Science degree at the University of Adelaide in 2003, Bec spent time working at K1 by Geoff Hardy, Pertaringa in McLaren Vale and vintages at Maxwell Wines, Orlando Wyndham and Lion Nathan. In 2006 she moved to London to study the Wine & Spirit Education Trust, and work for Stratford's Wine Agencies to further her knowledge of the global wine industry.

More recently, Bec has been based in Sydney looking after National Sales of the Pirie Tasmania wines by Dr Andrew Pirie, founder of Pipers Brook. In late 2009 Bec was lured back to the family business and is now looking after Sales & Marketing of K1 by Geoff Hardy.

Office Manager

Bernadette has worked for Kuitpo Vineyard since 1996 and during this time has been an invaluable support to Geoff.
During her time at the K1 vineyard she has managed all areas of office administration and has an extensive knowledge of vineyard management and the wine industry.

Wine Business Manager

Tracey Hywood, has joined the K1 team as Wine Business Manager.
She brings with her 20 years experience in the hospitality industry including accounting and hotel management in Adelaide, Cairns and Darwin.
Being the small company we are, she is responsible for everything from accounting and stock control to courier and vintage hand. If that isn't already enough, she also has the challenging job of tracking the wine in the winery as master blender Ben Riggs tweaks the blends.

Events Coordinator

Fiona is currently completing a Diploma in Wine Marketing at the University of Adelaide.
She organises events held at Kuitpo Vineyard, including corporate events, picnics,
weddings and lunches.

Vineyard Supervisor

Matt has been employed by Kuitpo Vineyards for over ten years.
He is a highly skilled worker in viticulture with his tasks including harvest,
grafting and weed control.

Cellar Door Sales

Jess (the second of the Hardy kid's) is currently on the home straight of her Bachelor of Winemaking degree at Adelaide University. She has had a taste of the retail side of the wine industry spending three years at Goodwood Cellars and Belair Fine Wines, and is now working at K1 Cellar Door. She is a passionate environmentalist, like her grandma Barbara Hardy, and is exploring biodynamic and organic principles for the K1 vineyard.

Cellar Door

Nick studied Wine Business at The University of Adelaide in 2003 after having had a genuine passion for wine for many years. In the next couple of years he worked as a cellar hand with vintages in Australia, New Zealand, France and Austria. Having got a real feel for how wine is made he turned his hand to sales and marketing. Working at varies cellar doors around McLaren Vale he was a finalist in the 2007 Cellar Door Person of the Year awards.

Cellar Door

Colin, usually reffered to as the American guy at Cellar Door, has just come down to South Australia to further develop his experience within the wine industry! He's completed two bachelor degrees in International Business and Marketing as well as spent some time in Tuscany, Italy for a year working and studying wine business. That Italian experience has led him to continue his education by obtaining a Masters degree in Wine Business from the University of Adelaide. Other than that Colin enjoys gaining a perspective in all areas of the wine industry having managed a Cellar Door in the Barossa Valley, done work with the Winemakers Federation of Australia and studies for the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation and now is enjoying himself at the beautiful K1 Cellar Door!

GDB (General Dogs Body!)

Seb "aka-the boy (or the thorn amongst the roses)!" completed Year 12 at St Peters in 2006 and since then has completed 3 vintages as a cellar hand, one taking him all the way to the 'Arrogant Frog' in southern France, where he acquired French language experience. Seb is currently in his second year of a Viticulture/Wine Making degree at Adelaide University and makes guest appearances at K1 cellar door.

Keeper of the Dogs

Many visitors to cellar door will have met Hannah, or at least seen her from a distance as she races across the vineyard with the dogs in tow. Don't think Hannah's age makes her immune from getting involved in the business! When Hannah is not running around the countryside, she helps out with labeling, packaging and bird scaring during vintage.