Our Story

We all have a hiddenfire. A dream that burns within, inspiring us to achieve, create and discover. A passion, that once realised, takes us on an incredible journey we never imagined possible.

Over many years, the Whish family - Charles, Lynn, Emily and Katie - have worked together, nurturing the family vineyards and sharing an interest in wine.

For Charles, this passion began in childhood, working in his father’s winery and culminating in senior winemaking positions within large wine companies. While for Lynn it came later, as she recognised that her love of horticulture went hand-in-hand with viticultural pursuits.

As Emily & Katie grew up, they pursued their own ambitions, and developed individual skill sets to bring to the family business. Emily and Katies partners Regg and James join the family in this next chapter both with a shared passion for business and wine. 

Over time, it became obvious that this shared passion for wine could develop into something significant if they worked together and combined their unique strengths.

Charles brings outstanding winemaking credentials to the business, and has long held a desire to return to basics in the winery, and get his hands dirty, while Lynn has spent countless hours managing the family vineyards and developing her creative interests of drawing and painting. Emily and Katie are driven to succeed, and with boundless energy and a flair for marketing have always had a desire to create a family business.

Hiddenfire Wines was created.

'The Winemaker' - Charles Whish

Charles has an extensive career spanning five decades in the wine industry, with a long list of winemaking awards to his name - including the coveted Jimmy Watson trophy - Charles’ passion for wine began within the canopies of his father’s vineyards in Inverell, NSW, where he developed a love of grape growing and winemaking.

During his career he was a senior winemaker with Rosemount Estate and Treasury Wine Estates, both prominent multinational wine companies, before joining Serafino Wines in McLaren Vale. Over this period he was given the scope to hone his craft and focus on creating wines of distinct regional character and international acclaim.​

Hiddenfire Wines brings Charles’ passion full-circle - fulfilling a desire to create his own extraordinary small batch wines that show unique personality and genuinely represent the vineyards from which they originate.

 Happiest in the vineyards or carefully handcrafting exquisite small parcels of fruit, Charles is able to experiment with new styles and techniques, creativity arising from no limitations - this is what Hiddenfire truly represents.

'The Girls - Lynn, Katie & Emily Whish

Lynn

The natural environment has always been important to Lynn, after the purchase of their vineyards she developed an interest in viticulture and now oversees management of the family vineyards.

Not content to simply ensure the vineyards are flourishing, Lynn also grows native cut flowers and in her spare time enjoys painting and drawing. The new Hiddenfire Wines labels showcase one of her paintings.

Katie

Never one to shy away from a challenge - and a seriously motivated ideas extraordinaire - Katie is currently working full-time as a Physiotherapist, alongside making sure Hiddenfire Wines thrives.

Turning her attention to all things business - making sure the socials, website and marketing is under control - she’s very hands-on too and most weekends you’ll find her out in the winery alongside her dad stomping grapes, tasting ferments, and learning as much as she can about winemaking.

Emily

Emily balances a full-time career in Education and a passion for learning with her involvement in the family business.

Emily brings energy and enthusiasm to everyday tasks in the vineyard and winery, happy to get her hands dirty - either picking or pressing. Emily has an ability to fit more into a day than most and also provides a focused and youthful perspective to Hiddenfire's admin.

'The Boys' - James & Regg

James

James continues a strong family involvement in the wine industry, he is currently balancing full-time work as a teacher and playing football for Sturt in the SANFL.

James possesses a cool and calm persona, impeccable attention to detail and brings a keen eye to Hiddenfire’s brand and wine styles. James has worked in the cellar alongside Charles for the last 7 years and now relishes the opportunity to have input into Hiddenfire Wines.

Regg

Regg currently runs his own electrical and solar company ‘Compact Electrical’ and with a strong sense of community is a key member of the local (McLaren Districts) football Club.

Regg contributes a strong business acumen and organisational strength to Hiddenfire Wines along with energy and enthusiasm to complete any task in the winery or vineyard. Regg also brings a new perspective and palette to our wines and the ability to engage with anyone who shares a glass of Hiddenfire wine.