The Tidswell family has had a long association with the alcoholic beverage industry in South Australia since the first Tidswell’s arrived in 1858. Owners of Adelaide hotels for over 60 years, the first licence was held by William Tidswell in Gilles Street at the ‘Oddfellows Arms”. Thus the move into the wine industry was a natural progression some 140 years later. After years of pastorals pursuits in the south-east of South Australia (now known as the Limestone Coast), the Tidswell’s began to plant vines in 1994. The magnificent ”Heathfield” property is located 4 kilometres west of Bool Lagoon near Naracoorte in South Australia. It is blessed with spectacular giant red gums and beautiful lagoons but most importantly a large unique “ridge” of ancient Mt Gambier limestone covered with red terra rossa soils.
The vineyard at “Heathfield” now covers 115 hectares and in its short life has produced wines that have won gold, silver and bronze medals in domestic and international wine shows. In 1997, a block of land was purchased in the Naracoorte ranges on “Caves Road” just 4 kms from the world heritage Naracoorte Caves.

Ben and Andrea Tidswell foresaw and opportunity to build a specialist contract winemaking facility which lead to the Heathfield Ridge winery. After a very successful vintage in 1998, Tidswell Wines began the production of its own wines. The label “Heathfield Ridge” was created and since 1998 our wines have been exported to UK, USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Switzerland, Malaysia, Sweden and Denmark. In 2001, a strategic alliance with the Orlando Wyndham Group for the exclusive use of the winery has given Tidswell Wines further efficiency and the capacity to concentrate on the marketing and distribution of its premium range of wines.

Ben completed a post graduate certificate in Oeonlogy at the University of Adelaide in 2004 and works with consultant winemaker Joanne Irvine. Ben is responsible for all aspects of production from the vineyard through to wine production and managing domestic and export sales. Andrea assists Ben in all aspects of marketing and has been driving the new look labels for each of the ranges. Winemaking Philosophy Ben and Andrea have a simple philosophy to make varietal wines that enhance food enjoyment and express the unique cool climate qualities of the vineyard. The focus is to produce wines that are balanced, elegant but also have intensity of fruit with soft tannin structure. Fortunately, the vineyard location and unique characteristics produce fruit ideally suited to making this wine style. “We like to make wines that we enjoy drinking”. Vineyard Philosophy The vineyard is managed by Mark Launer with a focus on sustainable environmental practices. Tidswell Wines is a member of the Entwine program run by the Winemakers Federation of Australia.

Ben and Mark work closely to get it right in the vineyard so that the winemaking is kept as simple as possible. ”It is critical to understand your vineyard and in particular the soils to enable us to get the fruit flavours we desire from each variety. Sustainable environment management is also very important to us as well we believe will enhance vine health in the long term and increased fruit quality”.