Behind-the-scenes voice to grace 2023 The Signature

It takes more than a viticulturist and a winemaker to produce a flagship wine for a major wine company.

Think grape pickers, designers, marketers, cellar staff, sales people and wordsmiths among many playing a role.

May 1 will see the release of the 52nd vintage of Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz, with the 2023 vintage dedicated to a man whose words have graced the wine's labels for more than three decades: Peter Sawrey.

Each year, The Signature honours an individual who has made a profound contribution to Yalumba’s culture and traditions.

The person honoured is chosen by fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith.

Since 1994, Sawrey has written the back label story for every vintage of The Signature; interviewing each Signatory, distilling their character and contribution, and translating Yalumba’s history into the words that travel with every bottle around the world.

Jessica Hill-Smith says: "Sawrey's storytelling has become as intrinsic to The Signature as the blend itself,"

“An authentic wine must have an authentic recipient, and the 2023 wine is a ripper,” said her father, Robert Hill-Smith.

“The Signatory dedication is an important tradition for our family business. It is wonderful to see it 
grow within our company, with the wine trade, and with people drinking The Signature around the
world.”

Sawrey joined Yalumba in 1988, contributing across events and marketing, and became a custodian of the brand’s narrative. It was in 1994 that Hill-Smith first asked him to interview Peter “PJ” Wall for the back label of the 1990 vintage. What followed was more than three decades of conversations.

Even after retiring from Yalumba in 2009, Sawrey was still invited to write The Signature’s back label.

On being named the 2023 Signatory, Sawrey said: “I am moved. I have dreamt about this day. I have 
enjoyed writing the stories of Yalumba’s Signatories all these years, and now I look forward to writing
my own!”

The wine was made by another Yalumba retiree, Kevin Glastonbury, and is impressively composed, beautifully balanced and ready to enjoy. Seriously impressive. 

Pre-release purchases are available via yalumba.com. RRP $74.

Yalumba offers rare back vintages for wine lovers

 

Yalumba has just revealed its second museum release celebration for lovers of mature wines.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural museum release, the family-owned winery has announced the second release launching May 1.

The release showcases rare and fine wine wines from the 2010, 2013 and 2015 vintages, each carefully cellared since being bottled.

Building on Yalumba’s 175-year legacy, the selection includes limited parcels of The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz, The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon, and The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz.

This year’s collection also includes The Tri-Centenary Grenache, made from ancestor vines spanning three centuries.

“For generations, we have been setting aside our finest wines from great vintages, allowing them to mature in the ideal cellaring conditions of the Yalumba Museum,” said fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith.

“The 2025 museum release reflects our unwavering commitment to crafting wines of exceptional pedigree and ageing potential. Each bottle tells a story of time, place, and dedication.”

Hill-Smith says the collection "offers wine collectors and connoisseurs the opportunity to experience the complexity, depth, and refined elegance that comes with carefully aged wines".

The wines are available in limited quantities through the Yalumba Wine Room and website, select fine wine retailers, and leading restaurants worldwide.

The wines are:
2013 Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Museum Release $550
2015 Yalumba The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Museum Release $520
2015 Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz Museum Release $234
2010 Yalumba The Octavius Old Vine Shiraz Museum Release $252
2015 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Museum Release $100
2010 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz Museum Release $110
2015 Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon Museum Release $85.00
2010 Yalumba The Menzies Cabernet Sauvignon Museum Release $95.00
2015 Yalumba The Tri-Centenary Grenache $100

See Yalumba.com

Yalumba pays tribute to three decades of loyal service

Yalumba will pay tribute to an employee who has given three decades of service when it release the 51st vintage of its icon The Signature red blend next month. 

The 2022 wine is dedicated not to a winemaker, or viticulturist, but to former executive director of sales for Australia and New Zealand, Paul Midolo.

The label of each release of the Barossa Cabernet Shiraz bears the signature and story of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba.

"This year, the decision was easy," said fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith ."We are going to honour Paul Midolo, who started 29 years ago with us in Queensland as an area manager and within six months was invited to become a sales manager.

Midolo retired from Australia's oldest family owned winery in December.

"Paul has held a variety of key roles in Australian distribution, building a distinguished career that will be fully documented in time," Hill-Smith said.

"His impact has been immense, and his departure sees a significant amount of humour and wisdom leave our company. He will be deeply missed.

"Paul's ability to build strong relationships across the business with our sales teams, our principal partners, and customers is a testament to him as a person."

Midolo said: "It has been a great, fun journey. The biggest thing I will miss is the people, the interaction, the support. They have made my journey enjoyable."

The Yalumba team is very happy with the 2022 The Signature.

"The 2022 vintage presented cool and mild conditions, allowing the grapes to achieve their full potential, producing a wine of precision and generosity," said Yalumba senior red winemaker Kevin Glastonbury.

"It is very much in keeping with The Signature style that wine connoisseurs have come to know and expect."

Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2022 was released on May 1. 

I tasted it this week and it is an absolute ripper: beautifully composed with everything in its place. Elegant but with plenty of flavour; fruit and oak beautifully balanced. The ideal choice to take to a dinner party, or two share with fellow wine lovers. 

Glastonbury advises to decant it to enjoy now, or cellar for 15+ years. RRP $74.

See yalumba.com