
Established in the cool climate of the Adelaide Hills, the winery has earned a reputation for producing some of the country's most celebrated wines.
History
Shaw and Smith Wines was founded in 1989 by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith. Martin Shaw, a winemaker with extensive experience in Australia and abroad, and Michael Hill Smith, Australia's first Master of Wine, brought a shared vision to create wines that would stand out in quality and character. Their decision to establish the winery in the Adelaide Hills, a region known for its diverse microclimates and elevation, was pivotal. This location offered the perfect conditions for producing high-quality, cool-climate wines.
The early years were characterized by a commitment to excellence and a willingness to experiment. The duo focused on varietals that they believed would thrive in the Adelaide Hills, notably Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. Their inaugural release, a Sauvignon Blanc, quickly established Shaw and Smith's reputation for crafting vibrant and precise wines.
Winemaking
Shaw and Smith's winemaking philosophy centers around producing wines that reflect the distinct characteristics of their terroir. This approach involves meticulous attention to detail at every stage of the winemaking process, from vineyard management to bottling.
Vineyard Management
The winery owns two key vineyards: the Balhannah Vineyard, planted in 2000, and the Lenswood Vineyard, acquired in 2012. Both vineyards are located in the Adelaide Hills, where the cool climate and diverse soil types provide ideal conditions for growing premium grapes. Sustainable viticulture practices are a cornerstone of Shaw and Smith's vineyard management. They emphasize minimal intervention, organic fertilization, and careful canopy management to ensure optimal ripening conditions.
Shaw + Smith produced their first vintage in 1990, initially using facilities at Wirra Wirra and Petaluma. In 1999, they acquired a property in Balhannah, where they planted vines and constructed a winery and tasting room, ready for the 2000 vintage. In 2012, they expanded by purchasing a 20-hectare vineyard in Lenswood. As the business grew, founders Michael and Martin assembled a strong team, including Master of Wine David LeMire, Senior Winemaker Adam Wadewitz, Business Manager Grant Lovelock, and Group Viticulturist Murray Leake, to drive the evolution of Shaw + Smith.
Harvesting and Fermentation
Harvesting at Shaw and Smith is done by hand to ensure that only the best grapes make it into the winery. The timing of the harvest is crucial and is determined by a combination of tasting the grapes and analyzing their sugar, acid, and tannin levels. Once the grapes are harvested, they are transported to the winery where the winemaking process begins.
Fermentation techniques at Shaw and Smith vary depending on the varietal. For their Sauvignon Blanc, cool fermentation in stainless steel tanks helps preserve the wine's vibrant fruit flavors and crisp acidity. For Chardonnay, a combination of stainless steel and oak barrels is used, allowing for a balance of freshness and complexity. Red wines like Shiraz and Pinot Noir undergo fermentation in open top fermenters, with regular punch downs to enhance colour and tannin extraction.
Aging and Bottling
Aging practices also differ by varietal. Chardonnay and Shiraz are aged in French oak barrels, which impart subtle flavors and help develop the wine's structure. Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir, on the other hand, are aged in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak to preserve their delicate fruit profiles. Throughout the aging process, the wines are regularly tasted and monitored to ensure they develop the desired characteristics.
Winemaker: Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw
Shaw and Smith Wines is a true exemplar of Australian winemaking excellence. From its humble beginnings in 1989, the winery has grown to become a respected name in the industry, known for its meticulous attention to detail and unwavering commitment to quality. The history of Shaw and Smith is a story of passion, innovation, and a deep respect for the land and its potential.