About Us

The People Behind the Label

eartland Wines was created by a small group of leading South Australian wine identities who are all good friends and share a passion for making great wine. All Heartland wines are made with fruit from mature vineyards in the Limestone Coast and Langhorne Creek in South Australia. There are three ranges under the Heartland Wines label. Heartland Stickleback, Heartland Coast & Creek and the flagship Directors' Cut Shiraz.

Ben Glaetzer Director Chief Winemaker Ben is part of the well-known Glaetzer family in the Barossa Valley . His father is respected winemaker Colin Glaetzer,  and his two brothers are also winemakers. Ben, a Roseworthy graduate, grew up within the wine industry and started his career working as a cellarhand at Barossa Valley Estate and then as Winemaker at Tyrrell's. He has travelled and worked extensively throughout the world's wine regions and is now based in the Barossa Valley where he makes the Glaetzer family wines with his father, Colin.. Ben's ability to implement traditional winemaking techniques with a modern flair is reflected in such wines as Heartland Viognier Pinot Gris and Heartland Dolcetto Lagrein.

| Qantas Young Winemaker of the Year Award (pdf) |

"...Ben Glaetzer typifies the new generation of confident and decisive winemakers, ..."
Peter Bourne, Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine April/May 2004

"...Ben Glaetzer.....brilliant winemaker".
Robert M. Parker, Jr's The Wine Advocate, Issue # 155

"....Ben Glaetzer's energy is that of a remarkable young man going places in a hurry..."
Peter Forrestal, Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine

"...a modern and innovative winemaker, always experimenting, constantly evolving."
Sophie Otton, Australian Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine April/May 2004

Grant Tilbrook Chairman
Grant holds a Bachelor of Economics and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia.  He has specialised in providing advice in most aspects of vineyard operation, wine production and winery management to South Australia's wine industry.

Scott Collett Director
Scott's family wine business, Woodstock Wines in McLaren Vale, was established by his father, Doug, in 1973. Scott took over the business after he graduated from Roseworthy in 1982. Today, he continues the family tradition at Woodstock and also adds his winemaking and entrepreneurial talents to Heartland.

Geoff Hardy Director & Chief Viticulturalist
Geoff is one of Australia's premier viticulturalists who has consulted to wineries throughout Australia, and in France. Geoff, a fifth generation descendant of South Australian wine pioneer Thomas Hardy, has overseen the planting of Heartland's vineyards.

Vicki Arnold Director & General Manager
Vicki has worked in the wine trade in Australia and the UK for more than 20 years. She has played an active role in various wine industry groups and is currently an Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation wine inspector. Vicki brings her experience in international sales and marketing to Heartland Wines.

Grant Tilbrook, Vicki Arnold, Ben Glaetzer and Scott Collett

John Pargeter Vineyard Manager
John planted his first vineyard 25 years ago and now manages Heartland's 520 acre Angas Vineyard at Langhorne Creek. Having studied viticulture, he ran vineyard nurseries specialising in new grape varieties and grafting. He is chairman of the Langhorne Creek Wine Growers' Association.

Gino Melino Vineyard Manager
Gino manages the 400 acre Wirrega vineyard at Limestone Coast. He draws on his family's extensive background in grape growing. He is a leader in eco-friendly methods of irrigation and pest control in the vineyard.