WHAT IS THE HIDDEN SEA?

  • A wine company that removes plastic from the ocean for every bottle sold
  • Friendly
    • “We’re so thankful for everyone who believes in The Hidden Sea.”
  • Confident
    • “We got this!”
  • Engaging
    • “Look what we’ve accomplished together!”

WHAT ISN’T THE HIDDEN SEA?

  • We do not greenwash
  • The world is not doomed
  • Problems don’t lead us. Solutions lead us

HOW DO WE TALK TO OUR CONSUMERS?

  • With enthusiasm
  • With positivity
  • With honesty

IS THE WINE ANY GOOD?

  • Over 200 5-Star Reviews
  • 2023 Winner Global Drinks Intel ESG Award: Sustainable Wine Product
  • 2023 Winner People’s Choice Wine Awards: The Great Outdoors, Red
  • 2023 Winner People’s Choice Wine Awards: Vegan Friendly White
  • 2023 Bronze The Drinks Business: Global Low & No Alcohol Wine Masters
  • 2022 Winner The Drinks Business: Consumer Campaign of the Year
  • 2022 Bronze People’s Choice Wine Awards: Easy Weekday Meals, Red
  • 2021 Winner People’s Choice Wine Awards: The Story Behind The Label
  • 90 Points: 2020 USA Chardonnay, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Rosé, 2021 GSM
  • Located in South Australia's most iconic wine growing regions
  • Best-in-class for sustainable agriculture
  • Vegan friendly
  • To learn more, click "WHAT ARE THE QUICKEST TASTING NOTES FOR EVERY WINE?" on this page below

WHAT's so special about the brand?

  • PROMISE
    • For every 1 bottle of The Hidden Sea sold, 10 plastic bottles are removed and recycled from the ocean
    • Wine drinkers can make a real difference in the world, just by drinking wine
  • CARBON NEUTRAL
  • VEGAN FRIENDLY
  • ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT
    • We constantly collaborate on beach and waterway cleanups around the world
    • We constantly support sustainable events and environmental iniatives
    • We remove 100 plastic bottles from the ocean just for signing up for our newsletter!

What do consumers think?

  • Overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers
    • Over 200 5-star reviews on the website
    • We've found that once customers taste how good the wine is, and how it's making a difference in the health of the ocean, they tend to be fans for life

HOW DO WE PROVE WHAT WE DO FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

  • With the work we do with ReSea Project: they are only the second company in the world to be accredited to DNV’s Chain of Custody standard for plastics retrieved from the hydrosphere (the world's s highest certification for ocean waste plastic removal)
  • The ReSea Project data is protected with blockchain technology, which (once entered) cannot be altered
  • With the work we do with other partners: all plastic removed is weighed, and independently-verified

WHY IS THERE A QR CODE ON THE SIDE OF EVERY BOTTLE?

  • Transparency (we really do what we say we're going to do)
  • Scan to see our up-to-the-month status on ocean waste plastic removal

WHY ARE WE CALLED "THE HIDDEN SEA"?

  • 26 million years ago, South Australia was covered by the Great Southern Ocean. When the ocean receded, the fossilised marine life left the soil rich with nutrients, which allows the grapes to flourish today
  • The Hidden Sea wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the sea, so we’re on a mission to “Save The Sea” from ocean waste plastic pollution; to give back to “the hidden sea” that made our vineyards possible

Who Is The Hidden Sea?

RICHIE VANDENBERG
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO
 

“Richie" is a 4th generation grape grower, with over 25 years with his family enterprise. As an avid ocean kayaker, kite surfer, and family beach enthusiast, he’s seen firsthand the relative destruction plastic waste has brought to ecosystems around the world. The Hidden Sea mission was born from these experiences.
From 1997–2007 Richie played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the AFL, achieving Captain from 2005–2007.

JUSTIN MORAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CMO
 

After a decade of business success, serial entrepreneur Justin was touted by The Age Newspaper as one of the Top 30 people who influenced Victoria, AUS in 2006.
“We’re all citizens of the world, and there's only the one ocean. We have an important role to play as we are all interconnected via the world’s oceans.

JON CONTINO
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
 

As an artist and designer, Jon imparts his unique style on The Hidden Sea—just as he’s done for the likes of Nike,
Anthropologie, NFL teams, and many others.

LINDA TEMANI
ALLY PROGRAM MANAGER
 

Linda is a tour de force in our Ally Program for finding the right brand fit with Ambassadors and Business Partners in Denmark and the UK. She’s an expert at forming strong, long-lasting relationships, and you can see the dramatic results of her work with the positive feedback, and user-generated content, that pours into our Instagram feed every day.

JUSTIN KOSMINA
COMMERCIAL SALES MANAGER
 
Global sales leader with over 10 years experience in relationship management, entrepreneurial sales growth, with businesses such as Treasury Wine Estates, and Swisse Vitamins.
Justin has also owned and operated hospitality businesses, and craft alcohol brands. This experience gives him a unique understanding of consumer needs—especially with brands that make a positive impact on their local communities.
LEISHA MUNRO
WINEMAKER
 
Leisha brings a wealth of world-wide winemaking experience to The Hidden Sea. After completing a Bachelor of Oenology at The University of Adelaide in 2005, she travelled the wine regions of the world—completing 9 vintages over a 5-year period.
In 2009, Leisha returned to the Limestone Coast to follow her passion for cool-climate winemaking, and now leads The Hidden Sea’s global winemaking efforts.

What is "resea project"?

  • A Danish company with cleanup operations in Jakarta, Indonesia–focused on saving the ocean from plastic polltion
  • Resea is a way for businesses to make a positive, verified, impact on the planet
    • Their collection process is certified by DNV
    • Weekly Inspection by Intertek

What are the quickest tasting notes for every wine?

SHIRAZ

  • Taste
    • Blackberry and plum fruit
    • Layers of cherry and spice
    • Soft and silky
  • Smell
    • Red fruits
    • Vanilla
    • Chocolate-mint oak

PINOT NOIR

  • Taste
    • Soft and juicy
    • Soft powdery tannins
    • Textural finish
  • Smell
    • Black cherry
    • Dried herb
    • Touch of florals

GSM

  • Taste
    • Succulent and juicy
  • Smell
    • Red currant
    • Strawberry
    • Ripe cherry
    • Sweet spice

RED BLEND

  • Taste
    • Cherry
    • Mulberry
    • Plum
    • Spice
  • Smell
    • Red berries
    • Fruit cake spice
    • Vanilla
    • Toasty notes

GRENACHE

  • Taste
    • Red berry fruits
    • Candied notes
    • Low tannins
  • Smell
    • Violets
    • Rasberries
    • Cinnamon

SAUVIGNON BLANC

  • Taste
    • Gooseberry
    • Passionfruit
    • Vibrancy on the finish
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Fig
    • Lemon peel
    • Citrus backbone

PINOT GRIGIO

  • Taste
    • Pear
    • Pineapple
    • Hints of honey
    • A note of crisp apple acid
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Pineapple
    • Honeydew

CHARDONNAY

  • Taste
    • White nectarine
    • Lemon peel
    • Toasty vanillin oak
  • Smell
    • Peach
    • Nectarine
    • Nougat
    • Light spices

NON-VINTAGE BLANC DE BLANCS

  • Taste
    • White fruits
    • Good acidity
    • The mousse is fine, persistent and refreshing
  • Smell
    • Citrus fruits
    • Peach

SPRITZ ROSÉ

  • Taste
    • Light
    • Red berries
    • Hints of florals
    • Creaminess
    • Zesty acid
  • Smell
    • Peach flesh
    • Confectionery notes

ROSÉ

  • Taste
    • Light
    • Juicy mid-palate
    • Zesty finish
  • Smell
    • Berries
    • Tropical fruits

SPRITZ PINOT GRIGIO

  • Taste
    • Pear
    • Pineapple
    • Hints of honey
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Lemon pith
    • Lime cordial

NON-VINTAGE ROSÉ SPRITZ

  • Taste
    • Red berries
    • Fresh citrus
    • Sorbet
  • Smell
    • Berries
    • Tropical fruits

SPRITZ PINOT GRIGIO

  • Taste
    • Pear
    • Pineapple
    • Hints of honey
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Lemon pith
    • Lime cordial

BLANC DE BLANCS

  • Taste
    • White fruits
    • Good acidity
    • The mousse is fine, persistent and refreshing
  • Smell
    • Citrus fruits
    • Peach

Full tasting notes can be found on the retail support page HERE

WHAT IS THE HIDDEN SEA?

  • A wine company that removes plastic from the ocean for every bottle sold
  • Friendly
    • “We’re so thankful for everyone who believes in The Hidden Sea.”
  • Confident
    • “We got this!”
  • Engaging
    • “Look what we’ve accomplished together!”

WHAT ISN’T THE HIDDEN SEA?

  • We do not greenwash
  • The world is not doomed
  • Problems don’t lead us. Solutions lead us

HOW DO WE TALK TO OUR CONSUMERS?

  • With enthusiasm
  • With positivity
  • With honesty

IS THE WINE ANY GOOD?

  • Over 200 5-Star Reviews
  • 2023 Winner Global Drinks Intel ESG Award: Sustainable Wine Product
  • 2023 Winner People’s Choice Wine Awards: The Great Outdoors, Red
  • 2023 Winner People’s Choice Wine Awards: Vegan Friendly White
  • 2023 Bronze The Drinks Business: Global Low & No Alcohol Wine Masters
  • 93 Points: 2022 Chardonnay
  • 2022 Winner The Drinks Business: Consumer Campaign of the Year
  • 2022 Bronze People’s Choice Wine Awards: Easy Weekday Meals, Red
  • 2021 Winner People’s Choice Wine Awards: The Story Behind The Label
  • 90 Points: 2020 Chardonnay, 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, 2021 Rosé, 2021 GSM
  • Located in South Australia's most iconic wine growing regions
  • Best-in-class for sustainable agriculture
  • Vegan friendly
  • To learn more, click "WHAT ARE THE QUICKEST TASTING NOTES FOR EVERY WINE?" on this page below

WHAT's so special about the brand?

  • PROMISE
    • For every 1 bottle of The Hidden Sea sold, 10 plastic bottles are removed and recycled from the ocean
    • Wine drinkers can make a real difference in the world, just by drinking wine
  • CARBON NEUTRAL
  • VEGAN FRIENDLY
  • ADDITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SUPPORT
    • We constantly collaborate on beach and waterway cleanups around the world
    • We constantly support sustainable events and environmental iniatives
    • Along with Zero Co, we are founding members of The Billion Bottle Cleanup, with the goal of removing and repurposing the equivalent of 1 billion plastic bottles from the ocean by 2030
    • We remove 100 plastic bottles from the ocean just for signing up for our newsletter!

What do consumers think?

Overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers

  • Over 200 5-star reviews on the website
  • We've found that once customers taste how good the wine is, and how it's making a difference in the health of the ocean, they tend to be fans for life

HOW DO WE PROVE WHAT WE DO FOR THE ENVIRONMENT?

  • With the work we do with ReSea Project: they are only the second company in the world to be accredited to DNV’s Chain of Custody standard for plastics retrieved from the hydrosphere (the world's s highest certification for ocean waste plastic removal)
  • The ReSea Project data is protected with blockchain technology, which (once entered) cannot be altered
  • With the work we do with other partners: all plastic removed is weighed, and independently-verified

WHY IS THERE A QR CODE ON THE SIDE OF EVERY BOTTLE?

  • Transparency (we really do what we say we're going to do)
  • Scan to see our up-to-the-month status on ocean waste plastic removal

WHY ARE WE CALLED "THE HIDDEN SEA"?

  • 26 million years ago, South Australia was covered by the Great Southern Ocean. When the ocean receded, the fossilised marine life left the soil rich with nutrients, which allows the grapes to flourish today
  • The Hidden Sea wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the sea, so we’re on a mission to “Save The Sea” from ocean waste plastic pollution; to give back to “the hidden sea” that made our vineyards possible

WHO IS THE HIDDEN SEA?

RICHIE VANDENBERG
CO-FOUNDER AND CEO
 

“Richie" is a 4th generation grape grower, with over 25 years with his family enterprise. As an avid ocean kayaker, kite surfer, and family beach enthusiast, he’s seen firsthand the relative destruction plastic waste has brought to ecosystems around the world. The Hidden Sea mission was born from these experiences.
From 1997–2007 Richie played for the Hawthorn Football Club in the AFL, achieving Captain from 2005–2007.

JUSTIN MORAN
CO-FOUNDER AND CMO
 

After a decade of business success, serial entrepreneur Justin was touted by The Age Newspaper as one of the Top 30 people who influenced Victoria, AUS in 2006.
“We’re all citizens of the world, and there's only the one ocean. We have an important role to play as we are all interconnected via the world’s oceans.

DAVID ANDREWS
USA CEO
 

Transformative senior executive with extensive, successful experience propelling fine/luxury wine and spirit sales in the U.S., APAC, and international markets.

JUSTIN KOSMINA
COMMERCIAL SALES MANAGER
 
Global sales leader with over 10 years experience in relationship management, entrepreneurial sales growth, with businesses such as Treasury Wine Estates, and Swisse Vitamins.
Justin has also owned and operated hospitality businesses, and craft alcohol brands. This experience gives him a unique understanding of consumer needs—especially with brands that make a positive impact on their local communities.
LEISHA MUNRO
WINEMAKER
 
Leisha brings a wealth of world-wide winemaking experience to The Hidden Sea. After completing a Bachelor of Oenology at The University of Adelaide in 2005, she travelled the wine regions of the world—completing 9 vintages over a 5-year period.
In 2009, Leisha returned to the Limestone Coast to follow her passion for cool-climate winemaking, and now leads The Hidden Sea’s global winemaking efforts.
LINDA TEMANI
ALLY PROGRAM MANAGER
 

Linda is a tour de force in our Ally Program for finding the right brand fit with Ambassadors and Business Partners in Denmark and the UK. She’s an expert at forming strong, long-lasting relationships, and you can see the dramatic results of her work with the positive feedback, and user-generated content, that pours into our Instagram feed every day.

What is "resea project"?

  • A Danish company with cleanup operations in Jakarta, Indonesia–focused on saving the ocean from plastic pollution
  • Resea is a way for businesses to make a positive, verified, impact on the planet
    • Their collection process is certified by DNV
    • Weekly Inspection by Intertek

What are the quickest tasting notes for every wine?

SHIRAZ

  • Taste
    • Blackberry and plum fruit
    • Layers of cherry and spice
    • Soft and silky
  • Smell
    • Red fruits
    • Vanilla
    • Chocolate-mint oak

PINOT NOIR

  • Taste
    • Soft and juicy
    • Soft powdery tannins
    • Textural finish
  • Smell
    • Black cherry
    • Dried herb
    • Touch of florals

GSM

  • Taste
    • Succulent and juicy
  • Smell
    • Red currant
    • Strawberry
    • Ripe cherry
    • Sweet spice

RED BLEND

  • Taste
    • Cherry
    • Mulberry
    • Plum
    • Spice
  • Smell
    • Red berries
    • Fruit cake spice
    • Vanilla
    • Toasty notes

GRENACHE

  • Taste
    • Red berry fruits
    • Candied notes
    • Low tannins
  • Smell
    • Violets
    • Rasberries
    • Cinnamon

SAUVIGNON BLANC

  • Taste
    • Gooseberry
    • Passionfruit
    • Vibrancy on the finish
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Fig
    • Lemon peel
    • Citrus backbone

PINOT GRIGIO

  • Taste
    • Pear
    • Pineapple
    • Hints of honey
    • A note of crisp apple acid
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Pineapple
    • Honeydew

CHARDONNAY

  • Taste
    • White nectarine
    • Lemon peel
    • Toasty vanillin oak
  • Smell
    • Peach
    • Nectarine
    • Nougat
    • Light spices

NON-VINTAGE BLANC DE BLANCS

  • Taste
    • White fruits
    • Good acidity
    • The mousse is fine, persistent and refreshing
  • Smell
    • Citrus fruits
    • Peach

SPRITZ PINOT GRIGIO

  • Taste
    • Pear
    • Pineapple
    • Hints of honey
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Lemon pith
    • Lime cordial

ROSÉ

  • Taste
    • Light
    • Juicy mid-palate
    • Zesty finish
  • Smell
    • Berries
    • Tropical fruits

SPRITZ ROSÉ

  • Taste
    • Light
    • Red berries
    • Hints of florals
    • Creaminess
    • Zesty acid
  • Smell
    • Peach flesh
    • Confectionery notes

SPRITZ PINOT GRIGIO

  • Taste
    • Pear
    • Pineapple
    • Hints of honey
  • Smell
    • Green apple
    • Lemon pith
    • Lime cordial

BLANC DE BLANCS

  • Taste
    • White fruits
    • Good acidity
    • The mousse is fine, persistent and refreshing
  • Smell
    • Citrus fruits
    • Peach

NON-VINTAGE ROSÉ SPRITZ

  • Taste
    • Red berries
    • Fresh citrus
    • Sorbet
  • Smell
    • Berries
    • Tropical fruits