The 48th vintage of Yalumba‘s The Signature is dedicated to the managing director, Nick Waterman, who is stepping down from the role in September.
It will be released on 1 May.
The label of 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 during his speech as the family winemaker’s annual Christmas party on the Signature lawns of Yalumba.
“It is always a difficult decision, but Nick Waterman has been rightly honoured for his deeply significant contribution since 2003,” says Hill-Smith.
Nick joined Yalumba in 2003 as general manager of Negociants Australia, managing a portfolio of specialist imported wines and domestic brands.
In 2010, he was appointed director of Strategy and Trading, where he was responsible for the distribution of more than 150 equity and agency brands.
In September 2014, Nick assumed the role of chief operating officer of Yalumba, immersing himself in all aspects of the business before taking on the role of managing director in March 2015.
Nick 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 then president in 2019.
“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,” says 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.”
“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,” Waterman says.
“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.”
Yalumba senior red winemaker Kevin Glastonbury says the 2018 vintage “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,” he says.
“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.
“We always knew that The Signature 2018 would be a classic wine, one for the long haul in the cellar.”
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