BRL Hardy Releases New South Australian Wine Brand

Harvey Steiman
Posted: June 23, 1999

American fans of Australian wine can expect to see a new line from BRL Hardy in early 2000. The wine giant's new venture, Stonehaven, focuses on wines from Australia's newest premium wine region, the Limestone Coast.

Hardy created the Stonehaven brand to encompass its 2,000 acres of vineyards in the Padthaway, Coonawarra, Wrattonbulli (formerly known as Koppamurra) and Elgin Valley regions of South Australia. Except for Coonawarra, which has the reputation of producing Australia's best Cabernets, the rest of the Limestone Coast has been developed extensively only in the past 10 to 15 years. Lindemans' Padthaway Chardonnay has been perhaps the most visible success.

Winemaker Tom Newton, whose responsibilities at Hardy have included the highly regarded Eileen Hardy Chardonnay, heads up the new Stonehaven winery at Padthaway, which released its first products in Australia this year.

Stonehaven's wines include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, which carry specific regional appellations and are made to sell in the United States for $25 to $40. The same varietals with the broader Limestone Coast appellation will sell for $13 to $15, and Shiraz, Merlot, Chardonnay and blends carrying the even broader South Australia appellation will sell for $7 to $8.

In an unusual twist, Hardy chose to market Stonehaven wines in North America and the Caribbean through Banfi Vintners rather than its own U.S.-based import division. Banfi, which imports Riunite and its own Tuscan wines from Italy, also imports Concha y Toro and Walnut Crest wines from Chile.

For recent ratings of Hardy, check the Wine Search.

To learn more about BRL Hardy's latest ventures:

September 25, 1998
Hardy of Australia Buys Stake in Two New Zealand Wineries

April 13, 1998
Australia's Largest Wine Company to Double Red Wine Production

To learn more about Australia, read Harvey Steiman's tasting reports:

March 31, 1999
Annual Report On Australia

March 31, 1999
Australian Treasure Hunt

June 30, 1998
The More the Merrier