The story of Pridham Viticulture began in 1966 when Geoffrey and Ursula Pridham purchased a block of land in Coromandel Valley, home to some old grapevines. Although that land is now covered by housing estates, its legacy lives on.
In 1967, Ursula completed her first vintage under the guidance of the late Sid Hamilton. It marked the beginning of her pioneering journey as Australia’s first commercial female winemaker.
Ursula’s early wines, initially shared among friends, quickly gained popularity.
This demand gave rise to Marienberg Wines, a label that went on to earn multiple show medals and helped shape the evolving style of Australian wine.
Determined to create elegant yet approachable wines, Ursula made a lasting impact—especially significant in the male-dominated wine industry of the 1970s.
Ursula Pridham brought with her a proud winemaking heritage from Austria, where her family had traditions of winemaking for over 350 years. Raised among the vines, she developed a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship of old-world viticulture—shaping her own philosophy around precision, balance, and working with nature rather than against it.
Geoffrey Pridham complemented this vision with his strong business and financial acumen, helping to establish Marienberg Wines as a stable and competitive presence in the evolving Australian wine industry.
Their son, Ben, grew up immersed in this environment. From a young age, he spent many joyful hours among the vines; his love for soil, plants and wine began during those formative years—working the vineyard and slogging in vintage alongside his family.
After more than two decades of success, the Marienberg label was sold as the family embraced new ventures.
The family relocated to Kuitpo in the Adelaide Hills and began a mixed farming enterprise. This period deepened their focus on horticulture, soil health, and the role of animals in sustainable farming systems.
Inspired by biodynamic principles, they embraced a holistic approach to agriculture that remains central to our practices today.
Between 1982 and 1994, Ben launched Jump City Custom Sailboards, a manufacturing business focused on high-performance sailboards. The venture combined innovation, marketing, and craftsmanship, selling boards nationally and preparing for export.
This experience sharpened Ben’s business skills and taught him the value of listening to customers—insights that continue to shape the business today.
When the family needed support in the early 1990s, Ben and Louise returned to the farm and have worked alongside their children ever since.
Ben and Louise married in 1986 and raised three children—Byron, Lachlan and Jemma. In 1995, they returned to their viticultural roots and planted vines once again. This marked the beginning of Pridham Viticulture. By 2005, the next generation had joined the business.
Pridham Viticulture is now proudly led by the third generation—Lachie, Byron and Lach H—with the steady guidance of Ben. Each brings a distinct skillset, but together they share a practical, hands-on approach and a deep respect for the land and its cycles. Since planting vines again in 1995, the business has continued to evolve—expanding into olive grove management and harvesting, super high-density (SHD) olive conversions, and structural netting for home and commercial orchards. These additions reflect a commitment to supporting growers with smart, sustainable solutions across a changing agricultural landscape.