This carefully tended vineyard, high in the Eden Valley in South Australia, with its manicured rows of vines and innovative viticultural practices is a stark contrast to the windblown surrounding hills, with their towering eucalypts and rocky granite outcrops.

The magnificent sweep of country that is now Heggies Vineyard had been grazing land for most of its settled history, and was owned by local grazier and bushman, Colin Heggie, who sold it to his old friend, and then fourth generation family member, Wyndham Hill-Smith. In 1971 planting began on the northeastern corner of the property and the first wine was released in 1979. At 550 metres above sea level, Heggies Vineyard is one of South Australia’s highest altitude vineyards and also one of its coolest. The closeplanted, clonally-selected vines are grown in semi-drought conditions on a thin layer of grey sandy loam over clay and decomposed rock, forcing the vines to compete vigorously for moisture and nutrients.

Heggies Winemaker - Marc van Halderan

Marc van Halderen, winemaker at Heggies Vineyard, brings an international perspective shaped by a career that began in Stellenbosch, South Africa. After graduating with Honours in Winemaking and Cellar Technology from Elsenburg College in 2004, he gained experience across some of the world’s most respected regions, including Constantia, Walker Bay, Burgundy and the Loire, where his appreciation for purity, elegance and finely balanced Chardonnay developed. Moving to Australia in 2013, Marc joined Hill-Smith Family Estates and worked closely with Chief Winemaker Louisa Rose, building a strong reputation for cool-climate whites and sparkling wines. Since joining Heggies Vineyard in 2021, he has brought his precision, passion and vibrant approach to crafting wines that reflect the distinctive character of Eden Valley.