From under the hood of vintage trucks Geoff Hardy discovered the pleasure of permanently stained hands; however only later in life did he decide purple was a better colour.
Like most young blokes, whilst Geoff was supposed to be studying for final exams he looked for a distraction, instead restoring a 1927 Chevrolet truck, and three Morris Minors.
With a surname synonymous with Australian wine, Geoff didn't always plan to go into wine; in fact, after high school he began work as a fitter and turner and propagated native trees in his spare time.
Soon he realised his passion for growing plants and decided maybe the wine industry was the way to go.
Geoff worked at the family company Thomas Hardy & Sons for 3 years after completing Roseworthy, and then decided to head out on his own, establishing the stunning K1 vineyard at Kuitpo in the Southern Adelaide Hills.
Geoff can still be seen occasionally taking the 'Chev' for a drive along the winding roads of the Adelaide Hills, including to and from 'Crush' Wine & Food Festival.