Celebrating 200 years…
- Claudia Yanez
- Jul 17, 2012
- 1 min read
Nautilus is a wee youngster in wine terms, at 27 years old. Although that makes us quite ancient and wise (sometimes?) on a Marlborough scale, it is just the blink of an eye compared to say the Antinoris, or the Hugels.
However, our mates over at Yalumba in the Barossa can trace their history back to founder Samuel Smith, who would have been celebrating his 200th birthday yesterday were he still around to see it.
I wonder what he would have made of the antipodean wine industry today? None of the wines we tasted yesterday were fortified, and NZ winemaking would perhaps have raised an eyebrow from the old boy.
However we decided to honour the old chap in style with a bottle of Yalumba Signature – and by “ringing the bell” – a company tradition whenever something newsworthy happens. CJ rang with aplomb… and unfortunately a little too much gusto, accidentally breaking said bell.
Sorry Samuel. We enjoyed the Signature though.
I always enjoy reading about the history behind wineries because it highlights how traditions are passed down through generations. Celebrating Samuel Smith’s 200th birthday is a reminder of how much the wine industry has evolved while still honoring its roots. As someone who enjoys Crossy Road, a mobile arcade game where progress comes from adapting to new challenges while moving forward, I appreciate how successful wineries balance heritage, innovation, and a long-term vision for the future