Yalumba dedicate wine to Nick Waterman

Yalumba's 48^th vintage of its beloved The Signature wine will be dedicated to Yalumba's outgoing Managing Director Nick Waterman.

Each release of this iconic Barossa Cabernet and Shiraz bears the signature and story of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the culture and traditions of Yalumba.

Fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith announced the dedication late last year, just months ahead of the news that Nick Waterman would retire from his role of Managing Director in September 2022.

"It is always a difficult decision, but Nick Waterman has been rightly honoured for his deeply significant contribution since 2003," said Mr Hill-Smith.

Mr Waterman joined Yalumba in 2003 as General Manager Negociants Australia, managing a portfolio of specialist imported wines and domestic brands. In 2010, he was appointed Director of Strategy and Trading, esponsible for the distribution of more than 150 equity and agency brands.

"His leadership has been impactful in all roles, but more particularly of late as a strong reformer and decision-maker and fearless implementer of transformational initiatives across our company," said Mr Hill-Smith.

"For our family, he has been a safe pair of hands and his loyalty to the success of the company has been profound."

In September 2014, Mr Waterman assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer of Yalumba, immersing himself in all aspects of the business being appointed Yalumba's Managing Director in March 2015.

Mr Waterman said,"When I joined Yalumba, what struck me as unique was the culture, the commitment and the pride in the business of people who work here," said Waterman.

"In the early days, looking at the names adorned on the barrels in The Signature Cellar, I was in awe. Not only of the history and the people, but the humility of and the respect that the [Hill-Smith] family has for the employees of the business."

Executive Director – Commercial at Yalumba,

Current Executive Director of Commercial, Karl Martin will become Managing Director of Yalumba when Mr Waterman leaves in September.

Mr Waterman has a personal and professional passion for seeking change and creating a more unified Australian wine community. In 2016, he was appointed Vice President of the South Australian Wine Industry Association and became President in 2019.

When asked to describe the 2018 vintage, Yalumba Senior Red Winemaker Kevin Glastonbury noted, "It really is one of the very best vintages we've had in recent times."

"With good winter soil moisture, the vines grew happily through a warm spring and into the dry summer months. These conditions led to an even and healthy vine canopy and bunch set."

"It gave us beautiful pristine fruit with richness and concentration. Blackberry, blueberries and dark stones with cassis, red currants and cedary spices, with a depth of palate refinement that almost remains timeless. A most sublime mineral framework of perfectly groomed fruit and fine oak tannins intertwine and carry through to the long finish," said Mr Glastonbury.

"We always knew that The Signature 2018 would be a classic wine, one for the long haul in the cellar."

For trade customers, The Signature 2018 will be available through our distributor Samuel Smith & Son. For general consumers, as of May it will be available in Australian fine wine retailers and from the Yalumba Wine Room and online store at $65 per bottle.