Yalumba

Yalumba is one of Australia’s longest-running family-owned wineries, established in Angaston in 1849 by English migrant Samuel Smith.

Samuel planted the first vine under moonlight with his son Sidney, beginning a family wine business that has continued across six generations and more than 175 years.

Six Generations of Family Ownership

Samuel Smith’s pioneering spirit passed through successive generations of the family, including Sidney Smith, Walter Smith and Wyndham Hill-Smith.

Fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith later guided Yalumba into the modern era, strengthening its international reputation while preserving its independence and family ownership.

His leadership included supporting the development of Viognier in Australia, helping establish Australia’s First Families of Wine and creating The Caley Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz in honour of family member Fred Caley Smith.

The Next Generation

Sixth-generation family members Jessica and Lucy Hill-Smith have continued the family’s involvement in the business.

Jessica works as General Manager of Public Relations and Communications, while Lucy represents Yalumba internationally as a Fine Wine Ambassador.

Together with Robert Hill-Smith and the wider family, they continue to protect Yalumba’s heritage while keeping the business focused on innovation and its future.

More Than a Family Name

Yalumba describes its family as extending far beyond the Hill-Smith name. It includes the growers, winemakers, coopers, nursery team, cellar door ambassadors, distributors, retailers, sommeliers and restaurant partners who contribute to every bottle.

Across the vineyards, winery, cooperage and nursery, this wider team combines specialist knowledge with a shared commitment to producing exceptional wine.

Meet Our Team

Sam Wigan, Head Winemaker

Barossa-raised Sam Wigan joined Yalumba in 2001 after working his first vintage with his father and completing a vintage in California.

In 2023, Sam became Head Winemaker, leading the winemaking team across the Hill-Smith family portfolio. His work includes some of Yalumba’s most important wines, such as The Caley, The Signature and The Tri-Centenary Grenache.

His approach combines precision, balance and respect for Yalumba’s long winemaking tradition.

Louisa Rose, Winemaker and Head of Sustainability

Louisa Rose has been part of Yalumba since 1992 and is recognised for her work with Viognier, Shiraz and cool-climate white varieties.

As Head of Sustainability and Global Brand Ambassador, she helps guide Yalumba’s environmental direction while representing its wines and the wider Australian wine industry internationally.

Kym Venning, Head Cooper

Kym Venning leads Yalumba’s on-site cooperage, the only winery cooperage of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.

With more than thirty years of experience, Kym oversees the selection and shaping of oak barrels by hand, working closely with the winemaking team to support the structure, complexity and character of each wine.

Bethany Collins, Yalumba Nursery Manager

Bethany Collins leads the Yalumba Nursery, working across vine health, grape supply, viticulture research and vineyard management.

Her focus on sustainability and holistic land care helps Yalumba and growers throughout Australia establish healthy vineyards and improve long-term wine quality from the ground up.

Craftsmanship From Vineyard to Barrel

Yalumba’s approach combines family stewardship with specialised craftsmanship across every stage of production.

Its Angaston winery is home to the only on-site winery cooperage in the Southern Hemisphere, where barrels are shaped by hand to complement the character and structure of the wines.

The Yalumba Nursery also supports vineyards across Australia by supplying healthy vine material and advancing sustainable viticulture, vineyard research and long-term land care.

This combination of family ownership, skilled people and continual innovation has allowed Yalumba to remain connected to its origins while continuing to evolve across three centuries.