Hatch Wines is the personal wine project of former Wolf Blass Chief Winemaker Chris 'Hatch' Hatcher.
Chris Hatcher is one of Australia's most experienced and award winning winemakers. His winemaking career commenced in the late 1970's. and after almost 5 years at Kaiser Stuhl and 8 at Orlando, Wolf Blass convinced him to join him in 1987. This was the start of 35 years of winemaking in what became Treasury Wine Estates (TWE). In 1996, Chris became the Chief Winemaker, responsible for some of Australia’s most well-loved wines. These included Wolf Blass, Penfolds, Wynns, Coldstream Hills, Saltram, Pepperjack, Seppelt, Devils Lair, Rosemount, Lindeman’s and St Huberts.
By 2011, Chris joined an extended team to grow and drive the global success of Wolf Blass, and became known around the world as the “face of Wolf Blass”.
My winemaking philosophy is simple. Make exceptional wines that respect the unique characters of the very best regions and varieties. Wines that show varietal purity, balance, elegance and finesse. Wines that are excellent when young and vibrant, but will reward with aging.
Affectionately known as Hatch, after 50 years creating wines for some of Australia’s most recognised labels, Chris “Hatch” Hatcher launched HATCH Wines in October 2023 to continue crafting beautiful, classic wines that stand the test of time. Bringing together his winemaking skills and love for 1920s art déco design, jazz and refined revelry, you’ll enjoy affordable luxury in every bottle.
Hatch spent a lifetime in the bold pursuit of perfection, making wines that have won major global awards against the best of the best. Launching HATCH, he wanted to make elegant and sophisticated wines using the best regional varietal expressions of fruit. He is enjoying the opportunity to build a small, family-run brand from the ground up. From making and blending the wine, to marketing, showcasing and selling the wines. It’s a chance to share his continuing passion and knowledge with a whole new audience.
Growing up in a strict Methodist family, wine was never on the menu. Several years into his career, Hatch was surprised to learn that his maternal great-grandfather, Alf Vesey was also a winemaker. He’d started work at Penfolds in 1883, where he stayed for 69 years. For almost 50 years, he was the Master Winemaker. During that time, he mentored his young assistant on the art of winemaking and blending. That young winemaker was Max Schubert, who would go on to make Penfolds Grange, arguably Australia’s best-known wine.
Hatch’s winemaking philosophy is simple. Make exceptional wines that respect the unique characters of the very best regions and varieties. Wines that show varietal purity, balance, elegance and finesse. Wines that are excellent when young and vibrant but will reward with aging.
