Situated in South Australia’s iconic Barossa Valley, Hayes Family Wines describes its philosophy with a heartfelt phrase: “Old School – We Love our Vines and Wines”. For the team at this historic estate, pursuing formal sustainability was simply the right thing to do. They believe that growing grapes and making wine encompasses much more than just the final product; it is deeply intertwined with family, the team, and the local community. By actively valuing all these elements, they have proven it is entirely possible to run a highly sustainable and successful business.
The estate’s designated sustainability superpower is Biodiversity and The Land. While the property boasts magnificent, historic vines that are over 80 years of age, these plantings are just one component of a richly diverse landscape. Operating as both Certified Organic and Certified Sustainable, Hayes Family Wines has cultivated a diverse array of native plants and grasses that actively support beneficial insects. Through this dedicated land management, the estate’s soils are actively recovering and improving year on year, creating a healthier environment for employees and the wider Barossa community.
This thriving, natural ecosystem also provides a perfect habitat for local wildlife. Raptors are heavily supported across the property, with regular sightings of hawks and eagles soaring above the vines. The local birdlife even extends indoors, with owls known to take up residence directly in the winery.
Old School – We Love our Vines and Wines
The team’s respect for the land translates into a beautifully minimalist approach in the cellar. In a true “hidden story” of low-intervention winemaking, they take their organic principles to the next level. The only addition ever made to their fabulous, estate-grown grapes is a tiny amount of sulphur at bottling, which simply ensures the wines are safely preserved for the years ahead.
Behind the scenes, the estate has also achieved massive environmental wins regarding energy consumption. By heavily investing in solar power, battery storage, and low-energy devices, the winery remains connected to the grid but draws very little external power to run its daily operations.
For wine lovers exploring the Barossa Regional Tasting Trail, Hayes Family Wines offers a highly intimate and exclusive visitor experience. They operate out of a small, century-old physical cellar door that intentionally hosts only a limited number of guests at a time. Visitors are encouraged to book a special tasting ahead of time to experience the absolute best of the Barossa in a deeply personal, unhurried setting.
If you plan your visit for the late afternoon, you might just witness the team’s absolute favourite local gem. As the sun sets in the west, the “golden hour” light directly hits the property’s native bushland, painting the landscape in a vibrant, beautiful orange. It is a breathtaking sight that truly has to be seen to be believed, but you have to be quick—the spectacular display only lasts for about 15 minutes.
