Before founding Vandenberg Wines, Richie Vandenberg was a notable ‘Aussie Rules’ footballer and captain of a different sort. He played for Hawthorn Football Club from 1997, becoming captain of the team in 2005, and retiring from the game in 2007. Richie co-founded Vandenberg Wines in 2013 with the goal of creating premium wine, and continuing family tradition.

The Vandenberg King Willem II Brand pays tribute to the twist of fate that shifted the course of history, beginning the Vandenberg story in Australia.

At six years of age this red wine is soft, mellow, deep-flavoured and persistent. It's a very good drink and very good value. It tastes of blackcurrant, bay leaves, plums, leather, black olives and earth-splashed spice, and from start to finish its warm-hearted flavours feel both generous and inviting. A few extra years under this wine's belt are a good thing; the result now is a wine that's both robust and easy to settle in with. Closure: DIAM Cork; Date Tasted: February 2026; Alcohol: 14.5%; Price: $35.00; Rating: 92 Points; Campbell Mattinson