A family story in every bottle

On a mild spring evening in 1849, gardener Samuel Smith got to work.

Under moonlight, the Englishman found the perfect spot on his Angaston property - on the eastern side of the Barossa Valley, South Australia – to plant some vines.

Little did Smith know that the small seeds he planted that night, would grow into a towering name in global winemaking.

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A history unrivalled

Fast forward almost three centuries and Yalumba’s history is unmatched in the Australian wine industry.

“I think Samuel Smith would be proud that he laid the foundations for future generations to achieve,” says Robert Hill Smith, fifth-generation proprietor of Yalumba.

“Samuel came out here on the ship China out of Southampton in 1847 and landed in Adelaide. He went to the gold fields, found gold, came back, bought this property, and started planting vines at night as he had another job as a gardener at Lindsay Park over the road”, Robert explains.

Smith was known for his bold, pioneering character which has influenced each of Yalumba's proprietors throughout the years; Sidney Smith, Walter Smith, and Wyndham Hill-Smith, all the way through to fifth-generation proprietor today, Robert.

“People respect that you’re a business that's stuck to its knitting right through. There’s been a continuum, and I think that people like seeing those realities play out. The reality of survival and doing things properly with integrity,” says Robert.

Resilience in the face of change

Yalumba has navigated its fair share of obstacles - from economic upheavals to environmental extremes.

“Well, we've had plenty of challenges,” Robert recalls. “Interest rates were 22 per cent in the late '80s and early '90s. We’ve operated through drought, government interference, worldwide global economic realities, lifestyle changes in wine fashion and consumption.”

Despite these pressures, Yalumba has remained grounded in its long-term vision.

“We never get too far ahead of ourselves,” Robert explains. “We're a long-term industry. We're an industry for patient capital. You take your successes and bank them rather than go and spend it all, because around the corner, there's inevitably something that comes and tests your resilience.”

Marking a milestone

In November 2024, Yalumba celebrated 175 years of continuous family ownership.

“It was a long day,” says Robert with a smile.

“It started early, planting vines and native shrubbery on one of our signature vineyards. And then all the staff and friends came back here to celebrate,” he says.

While the day was about recognising a significant chapter - it was also a moment for pause.

“On a day like that, you do reflect on what’s preceded you,” Robert says. “We like to think we’re always looking forward, but obviously you reflect on what your forebears have all been through to get us to where we are today. You’ve seen all the things that the world can throw at you, and yet we’ve found a way to prevail.”

To honour its anniversary, Yalumba released a limited-edition wine, a Shiraz Grenache blend, that reflects the character and heritage of Yalumba and the Barossa wine region.

The grapes were sourced from some of Barossa’s oldest vineyards, ranging in age from 1854 to 1920.

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The Hill-Smith family celebrating 175 years of continuous family ownership in November 2024

The next generation of Hill-Smiths

As Yalumba steps into its next chapter, the Hill-Smith family remains firmly at the helm, with sixth-generation daughters Jessica and Lucy now playing key roles in the business.

Jessica leads as Executive Director Special Projects, while Lucy represents the brand abroad as a Fine Wine Ambassador based in the UK.

“I feel a lot of pride because it’s never been a big plan,” says Robert. “My wife Annabel is heavily involved as well, and she’s been part of what we see around us today. The fact that the children wanted to come into the business rather than were dragged into it is nice — they can play their role, adding value on their own terms.”

For the Hill-Smiths, Robert says family involvement has always been earned, not assumed.

“It’s been a meritocracy over a couple of generations now, so they understand the rules,” Robert explains. “But it’s nice to come to work and say ‘good morning, daughter’ rather than ‘good morning everybody!’ he laughs.

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The grounds of Yalumba

A trusted relationship

Yalumba’s journey has been shaped not only by family and tradition, but also by enduring partnerships - including its long-lasting relationship with ANZ. The winery has been a customer for 130 years.

“ANZ has been shoulder to shoulder with us (as proprietors) since the family buyout in 1989,” says Robert Hill-Smith. “It’s been a strong relationship, a very open relationship and a good one. It’s enduring and we appreciate that.”

“As we’re a long-term winemaker, it’s nice to have a long-term professional relationship as well,” Robert adds.

With six generations behind it and a clear vision ahead, Yalumba continues to shape the story of Australian wine, one vintage at a time.

Alicia Muling is a Senior Writer at ANZ.