Yalumba

Brand Description

Established in 1849, Yalumba is Australia’s most historic family owned wine company. It remains fiercely independent and extremely progressive through the generational ownership by the Hill-Smith family.  

Yalumba’s longevity and success is a result of patience, collaboration and progressive thinking. There is foresight to embrace the natural terroir to craft wines with individual character and a sense of purpose, a spirit to reinvest in the land upon which it operates and knowledge to behave as a leader in the industry. It is committed to sharing stories of provenance gathered over more than 168 years of history of family winemaking.

Location of Vineyard

Barossa - Eden Valley and Barossa Valley
Barossa is arguably the single most famous wine region in Australia. Barossa includes both Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, making it one of the only areas in Australia to have neighbouring warm and cool climate growing conditions. 
Yalumba is privileged to have access to some of the oldest vineyards in the world in Barossa Valley, including 1889 bush vine Grenache and 1908 Shiraz. 


Coonawarra
At the inner sanctum of Coonawarra, on the prized terra rossa soil, lies Yalumba’s Coonawarra estate, The Menzies Vineyard. Comprised predominantly of Cabernet Sauvignon vines, this single vineyard is committed to growing premium quality fruit reflecting distinctive varietal characters of the region.


Wratonbully
Wrattonbully’s cool climate, plentiful high quality artesian water and well drained terra rossa soils led wine companies to plant large areas of mainly red grape varieties.

Winemaking and Viticulture Philosophy

At Yalumba we continually strive to reduce our impact on the environment, stay involved in our community, and make great wine with minimal intervention in the vineyard and in the winery. We are committed to sustainable practices, with the belief that the healthier and more biodiverse the vineyards are the better the wines will be. Yalumba has been developing its own sustainable viticulture program since the mid 1990s, promoting the economic production of quality grapes . For every hectare of vineyard we own, we have at least one hectare of native vegetation.

Our winemaking philosophy and practice means that our wines are made with the least intervention possible but with as much knowledge, confidence and expertise as possible. We want our wines to show their provenance and natural appellation – whether it be a single site, a variety or blend, or a personal style.

At Yalumba we have been making wine utilising ‘wild yeast’ for over 20 years. We believe that the success and consistency that we have with wild ferments is a direct result of healthy biodiverse vineyards.  

All Yalumba wines are 100% vegan since the 2012 vintage, elevating our wines to a safe and ethical choice. Becoming vegan came from the desire to make wines of conviction that taste of provenance and natural appellation; and that ultimately represent quality.
 

Yalumba Clocktower
Yalumba Cooperage
Yalumba Vineyard
Yalumba Barrel Room
Yalumba Museum
Robert and Jess Hill-Smith
Winemaker, Louisa Rose
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Winery Profile
Owner: Robert Hill-Smith
Winemaker: Louisa Rose
Total acreage under vine: 650
Founded: 1849
Production: 960000
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Acclaim
The stylish 2019 The Octavius, which is a blend of 55% Eden and 45% Barossa Shiraz, is beautifully layered with initial aromas of violets, sage and white pepper followed by a rich vein of focused licorice. Sturdily, tightly bound with powdery tannins, a superb mix of bright fruit pastille and dark earthy flavors are underpinned by wood smoke. Immensely complex and energetic, held tight and compact through to a finish of extreme length. This is benchmark Barossa Shiraz. — acclaim for 2019 Yalumba Rare & Fine The Octavius from Vinous, Nov 2024
“Old school Barossa in style, this is a rich, sturdy wine that needs time to settle in. Concentrated aromas of plump dark cherry and savory, peppery spice—with a hint of toasty oak influence—lead to a full-figured palate that’s intensely powerful but buoyed by bright red berry acidity.” (Cellar Selection) — acclaim for 2019 Yalumba Rare & Fine The Octavius from Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2024
“With a little aeration, evocative notes of chocolate-covered cherries and blueberries, wound in savory spice and graphite, reveal a complex wine with depth and fabulous aging potential. It’s powerful with polish and balance, tightly wound for now, ready to uncoil slowly as the years go by. This is an excellent wine to release in this iconic producer’s 175th anniversary year. It should age well over a decade.” (Cellar Selection) — acclaim for 2021 Yalumba Rare & Fine The Signature from Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2024
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