Gibson unveils a new wine and a new look

Barossa Valley vigneron Rob Gibson is today launching a new wine, and a new branding. 

A new premium shiraz - the 2021 Gibson Burkes Hill Single Site Eden Valley Shiraz ($85) - is the first single vineyard offering that Gibson Wines has released in its 28-yeer history. 

Winemaker Gibson, a Baron of the Barossa, has a long history with the grape variety, but has always blended fruit from difference sources. 

The Burkes Hill vineyard in the Eden Valley is one of the region’s most picturesque sites and has established a reputation for producing exceptional fruit. 

To date, however, the vineyard has been known for standout rieslings, which have been crafted for Gibson by star former Peter Lehmann winemaker Andrew Wigan. 

Gibson describes the 2021 vintage as “one of the best of my 50 years’ experience so far”. 

“2021 has proven to be a really compelling year and the best wines will have great age-ability," said Gibson (below).

“This is a counterpoint to how we’ve normally expressed the Barossa’s regional hero variety. 

"It’s extending the conversation about the diversity of sites. The Burkes Hill site has sub-block diversity. It’s a microcosm of our more common approach with shiraz across the Barossa.”

The first 100 six-packs of 2021 Burkes Hill Single Site Shiraz have been released in limited-edition timber cellar cases for $700, including a a museum quality, fine art paper panorama of the Burkes Hill vineyard by renowned photographer, Dragan Radocaj. 

Each is individually numbered and signed by both Rob Gibson and Radocaj. See gibsonwines.com.au

The release also marks "a purposeful polish" to the Gibson brand with a new brand marque, Dirtborn Barossa, reflecting Gibson's geology background (The Dirtman) and his down-to-earth character. 

This will feature on all labelling going forward and the cellar door has also undergone a refurbishment.

What about the wine? 

My notes describe it as an undeniable an Alpha red. A macho prop forward with a deft offload or two in its skills set.

Despite coming from a cooler site, it has plenty of sass and style. I wish I had not opened my bottle as I suspect it will be glorious in a decade or so.

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Farewell to Yalumba; hello Hill-Smith Family Estates

It is goodbye to Yalumba, one of the biggest names in the Australian wine industry, and welcome to Hill-Smith Family Estates, the new official umbrella name of the family business.

The Hill-Smith family believes the new name better represents the growing family of brands under its umbrella, although the Yalumba name will remain as a wine brand only.

Chairman and fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith said: “We have come a long way since 1849, when my great-great-grandfather purchased a modest 10-acre plot of land near Angaston, in what is now Eden Valley.

“We have evolved from a single brand at Yalumba to a family of wine brands and businesses; made of many parts all linked to our commitment to and enjoyment of wine. Hill-Smith Family Estates represents us as a proud wine family, reflecting the generations of innovation and pioneering spirit of our forebears that have led us to where we sit in the wine universe today.”

The Hill-Smith family operates wine wine brands and vineyard estates including Yalumba, Jansz Tasmania, Pewsey Vale Vineyard, Heggies Vineyard, Oxford Landing, Dalrymple Vineyards, Winesmiths, and Nautilus Estate of Marlborough.

It started the fine wine distribution business Samuel Smith & Son in 1923 and also operates Negociants Australia and Negociants International.

“We have our sights set on the next 170 years with determination to continue a legacy and secure our family’s future in the wine world, whilst excited by the possibilities for our future generations at Hill-Smith Family Estates,” said Hill-Smith.

Meanwhile, the Yalumba name lives on as a wine brand, and this month launches a new collection of organic wines under a new name and label, Yalumba GEN (below), which will have an RRP of $22.

 

The new label features a collection of five certified organic wines, sustainably made at the Yalumba winery at Angaston in the Barossa. The family says "it embodies the brand’s sustainable journey and commitment to the next generation, with a fierce determination for the future".

The new range comprises Yalumba GEN Organic Shiraz 2020, Yalumba GEN Organic Pinot Grigio 2022, Yalumba GEN Organic Chardonnay 2022, Yalumba GEN Organic Viognier 2022 and Yalumba GEN Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2022. 

Yalumba first released an organic collection of wines in 2005 and now also has an organic range in its Winesmiths casks offering.

“For 172 years our family has followed sustainable practices, and GEN conveys our commitment to a sustainable future, organic certification and our minimal intervention winemaking approach,” says marketing manager Jessica Hill-Smith, pictured top with father Robert Hill-Smith.