Yalumba wins Legacy Family Business award

The Hill-Smith family of Yalumba has been recognised with a prestigious national award at the 2025 Family Business Excellence Awards, announced last night during the Family Business Conference – Asia Pacific, in Sydney.

Celebrating 175 years of continuous family ownership, Yalumba was named the national winner in the Legacy Family Business category — an accolade that reflects the family’s enduring vision, values and leadership across six generations.

The Family Business Excellence Awards celebrate the achievements of family-owned businesses that demonstrate excellence, resilience and long-term success.

Having been named the South Australian state winner in 2024, the Hill-Smith family was elevated to the national stage, where their story was shared alongside other exceptional family enterprises from across the region.

Fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith said, “This award is a fitting tribute to generations past and present who have built, nurtured and evolved this business with integrity, courage and care.

“Yalumba has always been about more than wine – it’s about people, place, ambition and purpose.

“We are deeply honoured to be recognised in this way.”

Established in 1849, Yalumba has grown from humble beginnings into a globally respected wine business, underpinned by a fierce commitment to sustainability, storytelling and long-term thinking.

“For us, it’s never been about short-term wins,” Hill-Smith said.

“It’s about continuing the journey with clarity and conviction, so future generations can take pride in the legacy we’ve shaped together.”

The win comes as the family concludes its 175th anniversary celebrations, marking a year of storytelling, reflection and continued commitment to the values that have shaped Yalumba since its founding.

Jessica Hill-Smith, sixth generation family member and next wave of leadership at Yalumba, said, “We get to bring people together with what we do, to open a bottle of wine and tell a story about why that means something to us.

“And that’s worth holding onto.”

The Asia-Pacific Family Business Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on families who have built not only successful businesses but also strong legacies –lu something the Hill-Smiths have demonstrated in both spirit and substance for 175 remarkable years.

Photo: Jess, Robert and Lucy Hill-Smith.