The Hahndorf Hill cellar door, which is surrounded by vineyard. Image courtesy Hahndorf Hill

Hahndorf Hill winery, known for pioneering the cultivation of alternative Austrian grape varieties in the Adelaide Hills wine region, has been listed for sale.

Co-owners Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson have called Hahndorf Hill Winery home in the Adelaide Hills wine region for nearly a quarter of a century. The couple said their journey has been one of “great adventure’” filled with “interesting and creative projects” that have kept them engaged and invigorated, but which has also given them the opportunity to live in what Jacobs calls “one of the most beautiful parts of Australia”.

Perhaps their proudest achievement, the owners said, has been their direct involvement in introducing an ‘exciting’ alternative Austrian grape variety to the Adelaide Hills: Grüner Veltliner. Their influence on the region has been so significant that winemaker and co-owner Larry Jacobs has been dubbed ‘The Grandfather of Gruner’, a title that he said he is proud to bear.

“It has been very gratifying to see Grüner Veltliner establish itself in our region,” said Jacobs, “and an amazing experience to work together with the local grapegrowing community to make this variety one of the important white varietals that is now associated with the reputation of the Adelaide Hills.”

Over the past couple of vintages, Grüner Veltliner has become established as the fifth-most harvested white grape variety in the Adelaide Hills (after Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling), and it has also regularly achieved the highest average white grape price per tonne over this period.

Jacobs cited a recent health scare, and the fact that he will turn 73-years-old in November, as inciting the pair to make the “difficult and emotional decision” to sell Hahndorf Hill Winery and retire.

For many years, Hahndorf Hill has been at the forefront of developing Austrian winegrape varieties in the Adelaide Hills wine region, from the white wine variety Grüner Veltliner to a range of modern and energetic alternative red Austrian varieties, such as Blaufrankisch, Saint Laurent and Zweigelt.

Jacobs said he is hoping that the new owners will inject new ideas and creativity that will take Hahndorf Hill to the next level in its evolution and status as one of the established Adelaide Hills brands.

Langley & Co is managing the property, with expressions of interest open until Friday 6 September.

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