News

Yalumba Wines Awards their Highest Honour

Robert Hill-Smith

Fifth generation vigneron Robert Hill-Smith has been awarded his wine company’s highest honour, last night being named Yalumba’s 54th Signatory at a surprise dinner in Adelaide.

Every vintage of Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz recognises someone who epitomises the culture of the family owned company, which celebrates its 165th birthday on November 17.

Mr Hill-Smith, who became one of the youngest managing directors in Australian wine history when he took over Yalumba at age 34 in 1985, has been named Signatory for the 2012 vintage of the wine, to be released in February 2015.

Yalumba Chief Operating Officer Nick Waterman said while Hill-Smith was made aware some time ago the accolade was in the offing, the fact it had progressed had been kept a secret.

“The Signature tradition began with the 1962 vintage, which posthumously recognised Robert’s great-great grandfather and Yalumba founder Samuel Smith,” Mr Waterman said. “Fifty years on, it is fitting that Robert is recognised, particularly with 2012 being such a strong vintage.”

The announcement was made on Wednesday night as Hill-Smith celebrated his 63rd birthday among close family and friends at a surprise dinner in Adelaide.

“We thought it important for Robert to be recognised in this way while he is active in the business, and as a celebration of his considerable contribution to Yalumba and the Australian wine industry,” Mr Waterman said.

“Naturally he was humble but I think inwardly proud that he has been recognised and that the business remains in family hands; something he has worked tirelessly to achieve.”

In his 29 years at the helm of Yalumba, Hill-Smith’s achievements include the buy-out of numerous family shareholders in 1989, which allowed for greater and faster innovation and adaptation throughout the company.

Hill-Smith was also among the first to recognise the potential of New Zealand and Tasmania as winegrowing regions and, despite some reluctance from family, invested in New Zealand in the mid-80s and Tasmania in 1998.

He has also championed a vine-to-glass vertical business model, which includes the Yalumba Nursery – the largest supplier of vine material to the wine industry in Australia, and fine wine distributors Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia.

Past Signatories include Australian Grape & Wine Authority Chairman Brian Walsh (2004), late winemaker Peter Lehmann (2000) and late champion horse trainer Colin Hayes (1978).