Winery & Vintage Info
Although grapes were planted as early as 1839 in the Adelaide Hills, it was not until 1979 that viticulture was revived there. Over the last three decades the Adelaide Hills has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions.
Shaw + Smith is located in the Mt Lofty Ranges, thirty minutes drive from Adelaide. The elevation varies from around 350 metres, to over 710 metres at Mt Lofty.
The Adelaide Hills is bordered to the North by the Barossa and Eden Valleys and McLaren Vale to the South, but due to its altitude, the Adelaide Hills is significantly cooler and wetter.
Shaw + Smith was established in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw. They make wines exclusively from the Adelaide Hills, from varieties that suit the cooler climate: Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
Shaw + Smith own two vineyards, in Lenswood and Balhannah. Balhannah is also home to the wineries cellar door.
With a philosophy of growing the best possible grapes, managing vineyards sustainably, and valuing vine health, soil health, the low yields are central to the Shaw + Smith approach. In the pursuit of quality the wines are fermented, aged and bottled on site at Balhannah. The wines are vibrant, medium bodied expressions of their varieties that reflect their sites and region.
The cool 2023 season gave flavours in the lemon, lime, and pink grapefruit spectrum, with a touch extra energy and acidity adding to the freshness. A classic expression of a cooler year.
The third La Niña influenced season in a row, 2023 was late, cool and wet. The result was the latest to ripen vintage that they’ve experienced, excellent acidity and lovely cool season flavours.
The rainfall, coupled with slow ripening, posed some challenges, and it was a real year for the vigneron. Great attention to detail was needed to keep mildew and botrytis at bay, but the payoff was some terrific fruit, when it was finally ready to pick.
Fruit for this wine was sourced from the Shaw + Smith estate vineyards at Balhannah and Lenswood, complemented by fruit from a small number of highly valued growers.
Carefully pressed grapes were fermented at cool temperatures, and protected from oxygen throughout. Some time in tank on yeast lees followed, helping to build palate texture and complexity.
The 2023 vintage Sauvignon Blanc is the 34th vintage that Shaw + Smith has made this wine. Regarded as a benchmark for Adelaide Hills, and Australian, Sauvignon Blanc.
