Our Team

Bec Hardy
Director - Viticulture & Winemaking

Bec Hardy is a 6th generation member of the Hardy family with a degree in Viticultural Science. After working in the UK and Australian wine markets, she has gained extensive national and international experience in wine production, marketing and exporting. In 2010, Bec returned to the family business from Sydney to manage Wines by Geoff Hardy’s portfolio of wine brands across the company’s domestic and international markets.

After establishing Bec Hardy Wines in 2015 and acquiring the Pertaringa wine brand from her father’s business in 2020, she is now making her own way in the Australian wine world as the Hardy family’s first female vineyard owner and producer. In June 2021, she was recognised as one of South Australia’s finest young business people at the annual ‘40 under 40’ Business Awards and in the same year was awarded the 'Rise Up Award' at the SA Woman Awards 2021.

As the first female vigneron from one of Australia's oldest wine families, Bec continues to build on the experience and reputation of her predecessors with a modern twist on 170 years of winemaking heritage. Her company produces wines that over-deliver on a quality-price ratio with a unique and genuine story told in a compelling way, all backed up by third-party endorsement.

Richard Dolan
Director - Sales & Marketing

Before joining the wine industry in 2011, Richard worked for 20 years in financial services across two continents where he gained experience in finance, operations, sales and branding.

After taking on the role of CEO at Wines by Geoff Hardy, he played an essential part in the company’s substantial growth and expansion into new domestic and international markets. During his time at Wines by Geoff Hardy he led the team to win the Optus My Business National Exporter of the Year 2017 and Winestate Magazine Wine Company of the Year 2012 and 2014 and Top 5 in 2014, 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, he joined his wife as Managing Director of Bec Hardy Wines.

Bec Swincer
Winemaker

Bec Swincer returned to Australia in 2020 after living and working as a winemaker in Napa Valley, California, for two years. Bec has more than two decades of winemaking experience across Australia, the US, and France. 

She studied Oenology at Adelaide University and the University of California, Davis, and brought a wealth of winemaking experience to Bec Hardy Wines when she joined the company in 2021.

Fun Fact: Bec was born in the UK and lived in a Kombi van for the first year of her life, whilst travelling Europe with her parents. And volunteers her time as a Surf Lifesaver.

Favourite Wine: Bec Hardy Grenache

Lisa LeQuesne 
Finance & Administration Manager

With a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of South Australia, Lisa combines a love of numbers with a love of wine.

Fun Fact: She grew up in a tiny town on the edge of the Nullarbor Plain.

Favourite Wine: Bec Hardy Sparkling NV

Jiauhua Bian
Export Manager, Greater China

Jiahua served as an interpreter during Richard’s first and second trips to China after the pandemic. Throughout these journeys, he acquired invaluable firsthand experience in the wine business and developed a deep affinity for the Bec Hardy team. Hailing from China's eastern province of Jiangsu, he now studies in Shanghai as a master's student of translation and interpretation after completing his bachelor’s degree in Business English. He will be based in Shanghai to manage day-to-day relationships with Chinese customers.

Fun Fact: Loves learning new skills

Favourite Wine: Scarecrow and 1885 Sauvignon Blanc

Michala Forrest
Marketing & Communications Specialist

Originally from the UK, Michala migrated to Australia in 2012. She holds a Business Degree and Marketing Master’s and has worked in Marketing roles both in the UK and South Australia, as well as running her own PT business. Michala joined Bec Hardy Wines in June 2023 and completed the WSET Level 2 Award in Wines at Tafe SA. Michala looks after Marketing and Communications and manages the Wine Club, bringing a blend of strategy, creativity, and wine knowledge to the role.

Fun Fact: When she’s not in mum mode, Michala enjoys roller skating and hula hooping (often with a glass of wine in hand)

Favourite Wine: Bec Hardy Sparkling NV

David Fitzgerald
Logistics Manager

David was born in Leeton NSW, and spent some time living in the UK from 2003 before moving to Adelaide in 2006. Over his career, he has worked for various transport companies, as well as Mollydooker wines in their export/ logistics team. David joined the Bec Hardy team in 2022 to help coordinate our warehouse.

Fun Fact: He also has a 30-acre
property in Willunga Hills where he and his family enjoy re-vegetating their land for all the native wildlife to enjoy, as well as raising many varieties poultry for his children to enjoy and learn about.

Favourite Wine: Pertaringa Yeoman Shiraz

Jacek Sokolowski
Head Chef

Originally from Poland, Jacek spent many years honing his craft across Switzerland, Poland, and the Channel Islands, gaining more than a decade of hands-on international experience before moving to Australia in 2018. There, he completed his Certificate IV in Commercial Cookery. With over 20 years in the industry, Jacek still considers himself a lifelong learner in the kitchen.

Fun Fact: When he’s not working, Jacek is usually being walked by his dog, cooking for family, spinning records, or practicing the fine art of patience through film photography.

Favourite Wine: Bec Hardy Grenache

Jeff Tomazelli
Cellar Door Supervisor & Events

His path into fine wine began with a background in International Relations, shaping a global perspective on every bottle. From leading high-end restaurant floors as Head Sommelier to working in South Australia’s vineyards, he has focused on elevating the guest experience. 

Since moving to Australia in 2014, he has become deeply connected to McLaren Vale, including key years at d'Arenberg Cube, where he specialised in luxury brand storytelling and premium hospitality. Today, he brings this expertise to Bec Hardy Wines while completing the WSET Diploma, focused on connecting world-class viticulture with the consumer experience.

Fun Fact: Enjoys long walks on the beach and doing pilates.

Favourite Wine: Tipsy Hill Cabernet Sauvignon

Matilda
7th Generation Hardy and budding performing artist

A 7th generation Hardy, Matilda has grown up around the Bec Hardy cellar door, keeping the team and customers company and telling us lots of interesting
stories.

Like her mum and dad, she loves being out in nature, be it playing in the gardens at Tipsy Hill or chasing after Churchill in the vineyard. Her favourite things include dancing, cooking and gardening.

Churchill
Wine dog & door-opener

From 2014 to 2026 Churchill was part of the daily rhythm of life at our cellar door in McLaren Vale. During those years he became a familiar face to visitors first at Pertaringa and later at Bec Hardy Wines.

Many guests will remember him wandering around saying hello, chasing rabbits in the garden, and demonstrating his famous door-opening trick - much to the frustration of the team when he left them open in the middle of winter. Several. Times. Every. Hour.

He also had a well-known talent for opportunistic lunch theft. Apparently leaving your lunch unattended on your desk meant it was fair game.

Churchill passed away in 2026 but remains a much-loved part of our story of cellar door and of life at Tipsy Hill. Guests from all over the world remember meeting him here, and he will always be part of the fabric of this place.