The Yalumba story started with Samuel Smith venturing across the seas from England to a small town called Angaston in South Australia. He founded Yalumba in 1849, planting the first vine under moonlight with his son, Sidney. His bold, pioneering spirit has passed through the generations, influencing each of Yalumba's proprietors throughout the years; Sidney Smith, Walter Smith, and Wyndham Hill-Smith, all the way through to our fifth generations proprietor today, Robert Hill-Smith.

Having grown up in the Barossa and with a long history of winemaking in his family, it was almost inevitable that Sam Wigan would find his place in wine. After working his first vintage with his father, and a vintage in California, Sam joined the Yalumba family in 2001. He has since shaped our rarest and finest wines with his distinctive precision, generosity, and character. In 2023, Sam became our Head Winemaker and now leads a close-knit team of winemakers across the Hill-Smith family’s stable.

Behind the scenes, Sam uncovered exceptional vintages that came through the winery, setting aside small parcels and building what would eventually become the first Yalumba Museum Release in our 175th year.

Sam embodies the Yalumba philosophy, with a love for bringing people together through storytelling, generosity, and the enjoyment of fine wine. He brings focus, balance, and a deep respect for tradition to every wine he crafts, which today include Yalumba’s most revered wines, including The Caley, The Signature, and The Tri-Centenary Grenache.

Louisa Rose has been part of the Yalumba story for more than three decades and remains one of Australia’s most respected winemakers. Today, as our Head of Sustainability and Global Brand Ambassador, Louisa brings her vision, leadership and voice to the future of Australian wine, championing sustainable practices, progressive thinking, and a united industry.

Since joining Yalumba in 1992, Louisa has gained international recognition for her leadership in Viognier, Shiraz and cool-climate whites. Louisa shares our wines around the world, telling stories from the vineyard to the glass, and advocates for a bold, bright future for wine.

As our Head Cooper, Kym Venning leads the only on-site winery cooperage in the Southern Hemisphere - a craft passed down through generations and perfected over decades. From selecting each oak stave to shaping every barrel by hand, Kym works closely with our winemaking team to create barrels that enhance complexity, structure and character in our wines. With more than 30 years of experience, Kym’s meticulous approach and rare skill ensure that each Yalumba barrel is as individual as the wine it holds - a true expression of craftsmanship and tradition at the heart of our Barossa home.

Bethany Collins leads the Yalumba Nursery - a vital part of our winemaking story and Australia’s most respected vine nurseries. Since joining in 2023, Bethany has brought a wealth of experience in grape supply, viticulture research and vineyard management across South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. Bethany has a strong focus on sustainability and holistic land care, working closely with our vineyard management team and with growers around the country to deliver healthy vines and quality wines from the ground up. Under her guidance, the Yalumba Nursery continues to shape the future of Australian vineyards.