The families behind leading McLaren Vale winery Wirra Wirra have entered into an agreement to acquire Hahndorf Hill Winery.
The news comes 10 years after Wirra Wirra acquired Ashton Hills Vineyards and stands as a rare good news story for the currently struggling Australian wine sector: “At a time when the Australian wine industry is facing real challenges, we’re choosing to invest in quality, authenticity and long-term growth,” says Matthew Deller MW, CEO of Wirra Wirra.
In a personal statement to social media, Deller added: “While global wine headlines continue to focus on oversupply, declining consumption and market contraction, this move reflects a very different view. The data tells a broader story. Premium wine continues to grow. Consumers are seeking site expression, varietal distinction and authenticity. Those who are focused, sustainable and family owned are being rewarded.
“This is not only a proud moment for the Adelaide Hills – it’s a sign that Australian cool-climate white wines can compete with the very best globally,” he said.
Established in 2002 by Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson, Hahndorf Hill is renowned for the purity, character and precision found in its wines, and especially for its expressions of grüner veltliner, blaufränkisch and zweigelt, three Austrian varietals it has pioneered in Australia.
Just last month, the Hahndorf Hill Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2023 took home the trophy for Best Wine from Australia at the Frankfurt International Wine Trophy 2025, becoming the highest scoring grüner veltliner globally in the process.
Following the completion of the sale, Hahndorf’s founders Larry Jacobs and Marc Dobson will step down from the business and retire from the wine industry.
“Marc and I are thrilled that Wirra Wirra will be taking over the reins,” Larry Jacobs said. “The Wirra Wirra team has all the skills and enthusiasm to take Hahndorf Hill to the next level.”
After this, Wirra Wirra will strive to maintain Hahndorf Hill’s rich legacy and reputation under new ownership, explains Matthew Deller: “We see this as an act of custodianship. We are not taking over – we are carrying forward. Larry and Marc have built something rare and beautiful. It is a privilege to honour that legacy and continue their vision with care and conviction.”
Deller also says the acquisition is not about increasing Wirra Wirra’s scale and is instead “about fit. Wirra Wirra, Ashton Hills and now Hahndorf Hill are three distinct and regional wineries with a shared DNA: family ownership, a deep commitment to quality and a belief in the future of expressive wines that speak clearly of where they come from … This is another step in our journey to establish Wirra Wirra as one of Australia’s great family owned fine wine producers.”
The producer’s Austrian-inspired cellar door – currently the top ranked Adelaide Hills cellar door on TripAdvisor – will also serve as a major business asset moving forwards.
In addition to its blaufränkisch, zweigelt, and four grüner veltliner expressions, Hahndorf Hill also produces a 12-variety white field blend, pinot grigio, shiraz, and st. laurent, all of which are currently distributed nationally by Domaine Wine Shippers.
Meanwhile, Wirra Wirra and Ashton Hills are both distributed by Hill Smith Family Estates as part of the Samuel Smith & Sons and Negotiants Australia portfolios respectively.