Our Team

Bec Hardy
Managing Director, Viticulturist & Winemaker

Bec Hardy is a sixth-generation member of the Hardy family, one of Australia's pioneering wine families, with a degree in Viticultural Science and extensive experience across vineyard management, winemaking, marketing and international wine sales.

After founding Bec Hardy Wines in 2015 and acquiring the Pertaringa wine brand in 2020, Bec became the first female vineyard owner and wine producer in six generations of the Hardy family. Today, she leads an award-winning family business producing wines from some of South Australia's finest regions, including McLaren Vale, Blewitt Springs and the Adelaide Hills.

Under Bec and Richard's leadership, Bec Hardy Wines has grown into one of Australia's leading independent wine exporters, with wines enjoyed across Australia and around the world through partnerships with major retailers, international airlines and global commercial partners. The business has been recognised as South Australian Premier's Regional Exporter of the Year (2021) and included in The Real Review Top Australian Wineries 2026.

In 2021, Bec was recognised as one of South Australia's outstanding young business leaders through the 40 Under 40 Awards and was also awarded the Rise Up Award at the SA Woman Awards. Passionate about crafting wines that over-deliver on quality and value, Bec combines 170 years of Hardy family heritage with a modern approach to viticulture, sustainability and winemaking.

Favourite Wine: Bec Hardy Sparkling NV. "Diamonds and bubbles are a girl's best friend"

Fun Fact: Bec is happiest with a pair of secateurs in hand and dirt on her boots.

Richard Dolan
Managing Director

Originally from Yorkshire, Richard transitioned from a successful 20-year career in financial services into the wine industry in 2011, bringing expertise in strategy, sales, branding and business growth.

Working alongside sixth-generation vigneron Bec Hardy, Richard has helped transform Bec Hardy Wines from a small family label into one of Australia's leading independent wine exporters. Under Bec and Richard's leadership, the business has expanded its domestic and international footprint through partnerships with major organisations including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singha Beer, DP World, Dan Murphy's, Vinomofo and Costco.

The company's success has been recognised with numerous accolades including South Australian Premier's Regional Exporter of the Year (2021) and inclusion in The Real Review Top Australian Wineries 2026, reflecting its commitment to quality, innovation and sustainable growth.

Today, Richard leads the company's sales, marketing and commercial strategy, working alongside Bec to build a modern Australian wine business that honours the Hardy family's
170-year winemaking legacy while introducing McLaren Vale wines to consumers around the world.

Favourite Wine: Pertaringa Tipsy Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. "We live on the vineyard and it's my happy place. Fortunately, the wine's not bad either"

Fun Fact: Richard is a veteran of 53 Barry Manilow concerts.

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

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: JB has the biggest sweet tooth - no dessert table is safe with him around!

Favourite Wine: Pertaringa Scarecrow Sauvignon Blanc

Ben Dale
Finance & Administration Manager

Ben brings more than 30 years of experience in finance, administration and business management across a range of industries. His expertise spans financial management, budgeting, reporting, governance and business operations.

At Bec Hardy Wines, Ben oversees the company's finance and administration functions, helping ensure the business remains financially strong and well positioned for future growth. His commercial acumen, attention to detail and calm approach make him an integral part of the team.

Fun Fact: Between work and family life Ben coaches 5 soccer teams, he is one of South Australia's premier female football coaches.

Favourite Wine: Pertaringa Undercover Shiraz

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, line dancing 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

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: Pertaringa 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.