Texsom International Wine Awards

 

Great news out of the US…. The Texsom International Wine Awards were held recently and Shaw + Smith were awarded two medals. 

Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2017 - Platinum Medal
Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2016 - Gold Medal

61 judges tasted 2,875 entries with James Tidwell MS and Caro Maurer MW announcing the winners on March 6, 2020. A terrific result for the Shaw + Smith Winemaking Team. 

 

Announcement from Shaw + Smith

During these uncertain times, we are focusing on the health and well-being of our team and our guests. For the time being, our Tasting Room at Balhannah remains open, with the following precautions in place:

- We have reduced the seating capacity to provide more space between groups, enabling everyone to maintain social distancing
- We are undertaking extra cleaning, with all tables and surfaces being wiped down with disinfectant between groups
- Tasting mats that would normally be re-used are being replaced instead
- We ask that you pay by card, as we will not take cash payments for now. 

Our team is aware of the importance of monitoring their own health, and staying away if they show any signs of illness. We ask that you respect the health of our team, and others, and stay away if you show any cold or flu like symptoms.

We are also trialing the use of a laser thermometer, which our staff will all be checked with each morning. If you like, we can take your temperature when you visit. Needless to say, if you do opt to be tested and you are too warm, we’ll look forward to seeing you another time.

If you are well, and haven’t been in recent contact with anyone who has the virus, please visit us, we’d love to see you. It is such a beautiful time of year in the Adelaide Hills.
If you prefer not to come in person, we can arrange delivery of wines to you at home. For the next few weeks, we have free shipping available with any order of 6 or more bottles. You can order here. 

We will continue to monitor the situation, and will keep you updated with any changes to trading.

Stay healthy!
The Shaw + Smith team

Bushfire Fundraising Update

With wine sales from our Crush Long Table Dinner on Friday 24 January, along with all sales through our Tasting Room for both Saturday and Sunday of Crush weekend, plus our online silent auction, we are thrilled to announce that a total $24,754.70 was raised.

100% of these funds are being donated to support those affected by the recent bushfires, via the Adelaide Hills Wine Region Fire Appeal and the CFS, supportingvolunteer firefighters and our local fire brigades.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and contributed. 

The Adelaide Hills region is open for visitors, and we look forward to seeing you in our Tasting Room or at another Shaw + Smith event sometime soon.

Bushfire Appeal - Silent Auction

100% of funds raised will be shared between the South Australian CFS and Adelaide Hills Wine Region Fire Appeal. Auction closes midnight on Monday 27 January 2020. 

To make a bid, provide your name and email in the form below, include the lot number you wish to bid on and your bid amount under comments (disregard the website field).

Call 08 8398 0500 or email with any questions. 

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Lot 1. Sauvignon Blanc Magnums

3 x 2019 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc Magnums - Limited Release, signed by Michael Hill Smith and Martin Shaw.

Value $210 (minimum bid $180)

Lot 2. 3 x Shaw + Smith Magnums

1 x 2012 M3 Chardonnay Magnum
1 x 2018 Pinot Noir Magnum
1 x 2013 Shiraz Magnum

Value $410 (minimum bid $330)

Lot 3. Single Vineyard vertical six

1 bottle each x 2015, 2016, 2017 Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay
1 bottle each x 2014, 2015, 2016 Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz

Value $550 (minimum bid $450)

Lot 4. M3 Chardonnay vertical dozen

2 bottles each x 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay

Value $748 (minimum bid $600)

Lot 5. Shiraz vertical dozen

2 bottles each x 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 Shaw + Smith Shiraz

Value $748 (minimum bid $600)

Lot 6. Friday Table

A Shaw + Smith Friday Table for 10 guests.

Come behind the scenes at Shaw + Smith with Friday Table. A guided tour of our winery and vineyard will show you our wine growing and making philosophy. This is followed by a comprehensive tutored tasting including current releases, limited and single site wines, then a two course lunch, with wines, in the Map Room. 

Value $2400 (minimum bid $1900)

The winner will be the highest bid amount (over the minimum bid) per lot item, received before midnight AEST on Monday 27 January 2020. Winners will be contacted by Wednesday 29 January to confirm payment details and delivery of their prize.

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AUCTION BIDS

Adelaide Hills Bushfire Update

 

It’s hard to put into words the devastation we have seen in our community over the last two weeks.

While Shaw + Smith has been incredibly fortunate we want to acknowledge that many friends, growers and vignerons have not been so lucky.

We are contributing to the South Australian Country Fire Service and will continue to support recovery efforts by taking part in a host of events and fundraising initiatives over the coming weeks and months - keep an eye on our website for more details.

How can you help?   

Here are some of the organisations that are taking donations and will use them well:
 
The SA Country Fire Service  (this is where our initial donations are going)
The Adelaide Hills Wine Appeal
The Kangaroo Island Mayors Fund

The region has reopened for business and Tasting Room has resumed normal trading hours. Come up and share a glass with us.

 

A gift idea list from Shaw + Smith

As December approaches we have taken the time to write a short, thoughtful wish list of gifts that we hope will inspire new ideas for you, for the month ahead.

Christmas looks different for everyone and keeping this in mind we have chosen items of varied price but also based on a theme that resonates with us, as winegrowers, of appreciation for celebration and togetherness, and carefully considered objects.

 

Ceramic serving plates, from Made in Japan $17.50 each + delivery buy

Made in Japan is notable in Australia for ceramics and tableware. These earthy and durable, high-lipped dishes 22cm in diameter, are perfect for serving a Burrata dish, salumi or any shared plate of this nature. Made in Japan deal directly with small family-run businesses in Japan, providing the highest quality ceramics at the best possible price; no excessive packaging either. If you live in Melbourne you might also like to see about their ceramic workshops.

 

Adventures on the Wine Route, by Kermit Lynch $24.75 + delivery buy

Non-fiction, first published in 1988, A Wine Buyer’s Tour of France is likely to add value to any wine devotee’s library. Alice Waters provides a good synopsis: “Kermit's book changed my thinking about wine. Colorful encounters with larger-than-life personalities, the primacy of the land and authenticity, plus a good dose of humorous anecdotes to keep you entertained.”

 

Bottle of 2018 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay, gift boxed $49 + delivery buy

Recent winner of Best Young White Wine at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show, this Chardonnay will be a welcome addition to the dinner table. It comes with a complimentary gift box that is illustrated with fun and colourful hand-brushed zigzags, lines and curves, available with all wines if something else better suits.

 

Culture Memory Game, The School of Life $49 + delivery buy

This traditional game of matching pairs is made perfect for all ages with the addition of works of literature, art, design, or architecture, showcased on each pair. A fun way to learn up on cultural icons, their important and appearance: a visual index of some of the best ideas in the world! 

 

One book a month for three months, from Wellread $99 (delivery inclusive) buy

A book subscription can be a thoughtful gift, especially for those that manage a little more time for reading over the summer holiday. The subscription includes three carefully selected books, delivered separately each month with reading notes. There’s a kids subscription available too.

 

Universal wine glass, by Zalto $58 each + delivery buy

These glasses are unbelievably lightweight and delicate. The shape of the bowl distinguishes Zalto from other known stemware, and they are tall as well. Suiting a range of different wine varieties and styles, the universal glass is a good versatile option, that we can recommend.

 

A magical dining experience, at Villetta Porcini in the Adelaide Hills. $ Email to buy - vporcini@lunelli.com.au

Gifting an experience is a lovely thought and even better if it’s somewhere hidden and magical! Villetta Porcini is a new culinary experience in Mylor, where the tables are all outdoor and surrounded by nature with produce and beverages presented by André Ursini. Whether you are contributing to, or purchasing in full, the experience will cost about $200 per person for food, drinks on top. In terms of available times, they are in demand, and will be made available to your guest/s later on, upon request.

 

Broadsheet Edition prints, from $220 + delivery buy

Beautiful images by past and present Broadsheet photographers, available for purchase. They start from $220 unframed and go up in size and price from there. We like Mark Roper’s Flinders Lane featuring one of our favourites, Supernormal. Also Rebecca Mansell’s Authentic Bites II, or Gareth Sobey’s Circular Quay or Lisbon Laundry.

 

Hand blown wine decanter, by artist Nick Mount $399 + delivery buy

Nick Mount is a leading Australian glass artist living locally in the Adelaide Hills. His hand-blown wine decanters are beautiful and include a funnel available in one of four colour choices: amber, ruby, black or clear. As well as online from the Jam Factory, Shaw + Smith sell these in the Tasting Room, if you live nearby and can come in.

 

Competition Winners | 2019 Adelaide Hills Luxury Escape + Win a Shaw + Smith Cellar

Congratulations to Kelly Flynn, the winner of our Shaw + Smith Adelaide Hills Luxury Weekend Competition 2019 and Chris Byrne, the winner of the Shaw + Smith $1000 Cellar.

Thanks to everyone who entered, and thanks also to Sequoia Lodge, Mount Lofty House for their participation in this sensational prize.
 

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Shaw + Smith Celebrates 30 Vintages With First Travel Scholars From Hong Kong & Singapore

The inaugural Shaw + Smith Scholarship launched in Hong Kong and Singapore in 2018, a continuation of the ongoing support of wine education.

The first scholarship recipients, Alan Tse of Hong Kong and Dexter Foo of Singapore, joined the Shaw + Smith team for a week in the Adelaide Hills during harvest in early March 2019. They gained first-hand experience of a working winery, along with time in the vineyards and in-depth regional and varietal tastings.

Following this, the scholars headed south to Tasmania to visit the Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley.

Entries for the 2020 Scholarships open on July 1, 2019. This coincides with Shaw + Smith’s Pinot Noir Benchmark Workshops, held in Singapore and Hong Kong on August 26 and 29 respectively. People working in the wine trade in Hong Kong or Singapore, in either hospitality or retail environments, who would benefit from increasing their knowledge, understanding and love of Australian wine, are invited to apply.

Each scholar receives return airfares to Australia, five nights of accommodation in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, two nights of accommodation in Hobart, Tasmania, and all meals.

To apply, candidates will be asked for an updated CV, along with no more than 200 words, or a short video, outlining why they would like to be selected as a Shaw + Smith Scholar and how they feel the experience would benefit their career in wine. The winners will be announced November 1, 2019.

 

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Winner of the Tasting Room Competition, March 2019

Congratulations to Kylie Myall, the winner of the Shaw + Smith Tasting Room competition who has won $300 worth of wine! 

Thanks to everyone who entered.

 

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Shaw + Smith in James Suckling's Top 100 Australian Wines of 2018

JamesSuckling.com is the wine media platform of the eponymous former Wine Spectator Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief. Suckling has engaged Melbourne-based Nick Stock as Senior Editor, giving JamesSuckling.com insight, experience, and expertise in Australian wine that is very rare in global wine publications. That’s good for them, and good for Australian wine.

Given their deep knowledge of Australia, we were thrilled to see four wines from Shaw + Smith feature in their TOP 100 AUSTRALIAN WINES OF 2018. Read on to see what made the cut!  Please note that these wines are very limited and subject to allocations.

For the full list, click here.

2015 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz, 98 points

Ranked 8th. A decadent yet persistently fresh shiraz, showing notes of blackberry tart, hot stones, dried herbs, blueberry cake, quartz, resin and baking spices. The palate is very sophisticated in its delivery of chewy, enveloping tannins, which coat the mouth and remain lithe and velvety at the same time. A driven line of acidity runs throughout plums and cassis, and this finishes long and intense. Minerally and tight, too.

2016 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay, 96 Points

Ranked 40th. This offers impressive complexity and depth. Really tight-wound and reductive with citrus and peaches abound. The palate has a sleek, composed and linear style and really impressively judged ripeness. There’s a zesty edge to the fruit. Elegant and long.

2016 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Pinot Noir, 96 points

Ranked 47th. A lush nose of strawberries, dried red cherries, brambleberries, dried roses, hibiscus and raspberry tea and nuances of earth, citrus, Indian spices and dried herbs. Medium to full body, layers upon layers of spicy red fruit and firm yet velvety tannins. A long, plush finish that remains vibrant and dialed-in. Drink in 2022.

2015 Shaw + Smith Shiraz, 96 points

Ranked 56th. A fresh and deliciously spicy nose showing brambleberries, blackcurrants, dark cherries and dark plums, as well as hints of black peppers, slate, iodine and citrus. Full-bodied with wonderfully structured tannins, seemingly unstoppable acidity and a long, chewy finish, which remains taut and mineral.

 

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