Stone fruit and citrus notes dominate the nose, continuing onto the palate. Restrained and subtle, flavours of lemon zest and grapefruit have an underlying biscuity note. There is also intensity and weight to the palate, held in check by a seam of crisp acid that keeps it fresh and tight.

The dynamic partnership of cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW began in 1989 when the duo decided to realise their dream of making wine together. A talent for wine runs in this family, with Martin honing his craft at the University of Bordeaux, and Michael being the first Australian to pass the notoriously difficult Master of Wine exams in 1988.

Since founding Shaw + Smith, their goal has been to make exciting, refined wines, exclusively from the Adelaide Hills, that rank among Australia’s best. The wines are made from several sites throughout the region and they specialise in grape varieties suited to the cooler climate, namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

The Shaw + Smith winemaking team consists of chief winemaker Adam Wadewitz, one of Australia’s brightest winemaking talents, winemaker Matthew Large and assistant winemaker Alex Clark. Adam was named the WINE magazine Winemaker of the Year 2022 in recognition of his ten vintages at the helm of Shaw + Smith. The trio work closely with viticulturist Murray Leake, who succeeded Ray Guerin when he retired in 2015. Together they are taking Shaw + Smith to new heights. “30 years ago, we made the wines in the winery; today, we make them in the vineyard,” says Adam.

Chardonnay (100%)

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular grapes, thanks to its number of different styles. You’ll find everything from lean and chalky to rich, creamy and aged in oak, and even some of the world’s finest sparkling wine too.

South Australia