The Hickinbotham Family have been involved in the art of wine making since 1936. They have been at the forefront of Australian wine production for three generations. This dates back to the early 1920’s when grandfather ’Hick’ initiated Australia’s first scientific wine making course at Roseworthy College. The use of the pH meter in Australian winemaking has been attributed to his foresight and expertise, and it’s implementation has helped put Australia’s wines on the international level they have achieved.

Second generation lan Hickinbotham was the first winemaker at Kaiser Stuhl in the Barossa valley where he oversaw the production of many famous Aussie icons, such as Sparkling Reingold, Gala Spumante, and many more. These wines introduced a generation of Aussies to the joys of appreciating wine! Ian’s crowning glory was the famous 1952 Wynns Coonawarra Dry Red, which is still a magnificent drink to this day.

Ian and son Stephen, leased the Mt Anakie vineyard in the early 1980’s where they were inspirational in launching such brands as Elgee Park, Stoniers and Meadowbank. During this era, the family made wines from all over Australia, from Tasmania via Ballarat to Gippsland, helping to establish the Scotchmans Hill winery and make their first vintages.

At this time the Hickinbotham family were also making wines for most of the early Mornington Peninsula vignerons. The 1988 vintage consisted of 24 different chardonnays, each from a separate vineyard!

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