Shaw and Smith
Shaw + Smith is an Australian cool-climate wine producer founded in 1989, making Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Riesling at its Balhannah winery in the Adelaide Hills. It sells via Wine Club subscriptions, cellar door experiences, e-commerce and distributors across 27+ countries, targeting premium wine enthusiasts and trade buyers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1989
- HeadquartersBalhannah, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Shaw and Smith does
Shaw + Smith is an Australian cool-climate wine producer founded in 1989 by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW, headquartered at Balhannah in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. The company makes, ages and bottles all wines on-site at a purpose-built winery with a Council/EPA-imposed 2,000-tonne annual production ceiling, drawing from 70 hectares across four estate vineyards (Balhannah, Lenswood, Piccadilly, Lobethal). Its core range covers Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Riesling, complemented by Single Vineyard wines from Lenswood and Balhannah, an Aged Release museum program, and new varietal experiments such as the 2025 Gamay.
The business model is a hybrid of premium direct-to-consumer and global wholesale distribution. Direct revenue comes from a four-tier Wine Club (Sauvignon Blanc Club, 12-pack, 6-pack, Single Vineyard 3-pack), an e-commerce storefront on Commerce7, and a Balhannah tasting room offering Classic ($25), Single Vineyard ($40) and Feature ($15) flights plus paid masterclasses and chef dinners ($140–$190). Wholesale distribution flows through Red + White AU domestically and 27+ country distributors internationally, including Liberty Wines (UK), Winebow (US), Lifford (Canada) and Links Concept (China/HK/Macau).
Shaw + Smith is privately held and family-led, with founders Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW retaining ownership alongside a professionalised leadership team of Joint CEOs David LeMire MW (Master of Wine) and Adam Wadewitz (senior winemaker), supported by a CFO and Group Viticulturist. The company operates wholly-owned sub-brands and joint ventures including Tolpuddle Vineyard (Tasmania, acquired 2011), MMAD Vineyard (McLaren Vale, acquired 2021 by a quartet led by the founders and senior team), The Other Wine Co. and the Incognito label. It exports to 27+ countries, holds Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification (2026), and sustains an awards profile including 97–98 point critic scores and International Wine Challenge Champion White Wine recognition for Tolpuddle Chardonnay.
Shaw and Smith firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Shaw and Smith
- Legal name
- Shaw And Smith Pty Ltd
- Website
- https://shawandsmith.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1989
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Shaw + Smith is an Australian cool-climate wine producer founded in 1989, making Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Riesling at its Balhannah winery in the Adelaide Hills. It sells via Wine Club subscriptions, cellar door experiences, e-commerce and distributors across 27+ countries, targeting premium wine enthusiasts and trade buyers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Shaw and Smith industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Premium Wine
- NAICS
- Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)
- SIC
- Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB), Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)
Keywords
Where Shaw and Smith is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Balhannah
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Shaw and Smith business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Direct Wine Sales: Direct-to-consumer wine sales through official website (e-commerce) and cellar door tasting room. Includes new releases, aged releases, and exclusive products.
- Wine Club Subscriptions: Recurring subscription model with 4 club tiers: Sauvignon Blanc Club (12-pack), Wine Club 12-pack, Wine Club 6-pack, and Single Vineyard Club 3-pack. Rolling subscriptions delivered every 1-12 months with member discounts.
- Wholesale and Export Distribution: Sales through global distributor network in 27+ countries and domestic Australian wholesale
- Events and Experiences: Paid events including masterclasses, tasting experiences, and special dinners at the tasting room and off-site venues
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Classic Wine Flight |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Vineyard Wine Flight |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Feature Wine Flight |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Balhannah Tour |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Winter Reds Event |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Single Vineyard Masterclass |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Africola X MMAD Vineyard Dinner |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chardonnay May Aged Release Lunch |
| Subscription | Monthly | Sauvignon Blanc Club |
| Subscription | Monthly | Wine Club 12 Pack |
| Subscription | Monthly | Wine Club 6 Pack |
| Subscription | Monthly | Single Vineyard Club 3 Pack |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Shaw and Smith product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Shaw + Smith produces and sells premium cool-climate wines from the Adelaide Hills region of Australia, with a portfolio spanning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Riesling and Gamay under its flagship label, plus Single Vineyard expressions, the Aged Release museum program, sub-brands The Other Wine Co. and Incognito, and associated projects MMAD Vineyard (McLaren Vale) and Tolpuddle Vineyard (Tasmania). Wines are estate-grown across 70 hectares at Balhannah, Lenswood, Piccadilly and Lobethal, fermented and bottled on-site at the Balhannah winery, and reach consumers via company-owned e-commerce, the Balhannah cellar door, recurring Wine Club subscriptions, paid tasting room experiences, and an international distributor network in 27+ countries.
Product overview
Shaw + Smith is an Adelaide Hills wine company founded in 1989 by cousins Michael Hill-Smith MW and Martin Shaw. The company operates a portfolio of wine products centered on cool-climate varieties suited to the region: Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Shiraz, and Gamay. The core Shaw + Smith range includes the flagship M3 Chardonnay, benchmark Sauvignon Blanc, and estate Pinot Noir and Shiraz. Premium Single Vineyard wines from Lenswood and Balhannah vineyards represent the top tier, complemented by an Aged Release museum program. The portfolio includes sub-brand The Other Wine Co. (exploring Italian varieties like Sangiovese, Barbera, and Savagnin) and Incognito wines (approachable styles in suitable vintages). Joint venture MMAD Vineyard in McLaren Vale's Blewitt Springs produces high-scoring wines from rare old vines. Associated vineyard Tolpuddle in Tasmania is recognized globally for cool-climate Chardonnay. The company operates a cellar door tasting room, wine club subscriptions, and exports to 27 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc Benchmark Australian Sauvignon Blanc from Adelaide Hills, known for its lively, fresh, aromatic character. 2025 is the 36th vintage, sourced from estate vineyards at Balhannah and Lenswood.
- Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay Flagship Chardonnay expression from Adelaide Hills offering a pure, modern, textured style. Made with hand-picked grapes, whole bunch pressing, and 9 months in French oak with malolactic fermentation.
- Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir Subtle, perfumed, elegant Pinot Noir from Adelaide Hills, sourced primarily from Lenswood and Piccadilly vineyards. Hand-picked, with slow fermentation and French oak maturation.
Quantifiable outcome
- 96 Points - 2023 Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz (Campbell Mattinson)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Shaw and Smith
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Shaw and Smith technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature3 records
Shaw and Smith partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Red + White AUcorePrimary Australian domestic distributor handling national wholesale distribution. Contact: [email protected], Phone: +61 300 780 074
- Thomas Chin / Red + White NTcoreNorthern Territory distributor for Australian domestic market
- Lifford Wine AgencycoreOntario, Canada distributor
- Liberty WinescoreUnited Kingdom distributor
- WinebowcoreUnited States distributor
- Links Concept Co LtdcoreChina / Hong Kong / Macau distributor
- Orso KensingtoncoreAdelaide restaurant partner for events catering including Chardonnay May Aged Release Lunch and Winter Reds events. Provides three-course dinners paired with Shaw + Smith wines.
- AfricolacoreAdelaide restaurant with chef Duncan Welgemoed partnering for MMAD Vineyard takeover dinner at Shaw + Smith Tasting Room
- The Other Wine Co.minorSeparate project by Shaw + Smith founders producing alternative styles and varieties
- Tolpuddle VineyardminorSeparate project by Shaw + Smith founders. Tasmanian vineyard acquired in 2011, benchmark for cool-climate Chardonnay
- MMAD VineyardminorSeparate project by Shaw + Smith founders Martin Shaw and Adam Wadewitz, and Masters of Wine Michael Hill Smith and David LeMire. McLaren Vale Blewitt Springs vineyard with old vines planted from 1939
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Shaw and Smith competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Henschke: Family-owned premium Australian wine producer based in Eden Valley with a long heritage (since 1866), focusing on cool-climate single-vineyard Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Riesling. Highly comparable to Shaw + Smith on craft family ownership, single-vineyard premiumization, and global fine-wine distribution.
- Torbreck Vintners: Premium Barossa Valley wine producer specializing in Rhône-style varietals including Shiraz and Grenache with a focus on old vines. Comparable to Shaw + Smith on premium single-vineyard positioning, old-vine sourcing, strong critic scores, and global fine-wine distribution.
- Mount Mary Vineyard: Boutique family-owned Yarra Valley winery producing cool-climate Cabernet blends, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Closely comparable to Shaw + Smith on family ownership, ultra-premium positioning, low-volume craft production, and allocation-driven scarcity.
- Giant Steps: Yarra Valley cool-climate premium wine producer known for single-vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, comparable in size and premium positioning to Shaw + Smith. Highly comparable on grape variety mix (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir), single-vineyard program, and restaurant trade distribution.
- Felton Road: Boutique Central Otago, New Zealand producer of biodynamic cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Comparable on cool-climate single-vineyard premiumization, organic/biodynamic viticulture, global fine-wine allocation model, and small-batch craft production.
- Best's Great Western: Historic family-owned cool-climate Victorian winery producing premium Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Comparable on cool-climate premium positioning, multi-generational family ownership, heritage branding, and Australian fine-wine distribution.
- Curly Flat: Boutique Macedon Ranges winery specializing in cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Directly comparable on grape varieties, cool-climate terroir focus, single-vineyard premiumization, and small-scale craft family ownership.
Broad incumbents
- Penfolds (Treasury Wine Estates): Australia's most iconic premium wine brand, owned by Treasury Wine Estates, with global fine-wine distribution and strong Chardonnay/Shiraz positioning. Comparable on premium Australian cool-climate varietal mix and global distribution scale, though much larger and publicly traded.
- Yalumba: One of Australia's oldest family-owned wineries (since 1849), producing a broad portfolio across multiple regions including Barossa and Eden Valley. Comparable on family ownership heritage and premium portfolio depth, though larger and more diversified than Shaw + Smith.
- Cloudy Bay: Iconic Marlborough, New Zealand cool-climate wine producer (owned by LVMH) specializing in Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Highly comparable on cool-climate single-varietal focus (especially Sauvignon Blanc benchmark status), global fine-wine distribution, and cellar door experience.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Shaw and Smith social profiles
Digital presenceShaw and Smith compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Shaw and Smith financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Shaw and Smith leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Shaw and Smith subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Shaw and Smith funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Shaw and Smith M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Shaw and Smith
What does Shaw and Smith do?
Shaw + Smith produces and sells premium cool-climate wines from the Adelaide Hills region of Australia, with a portfolio spanning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Riesling and Gamay under its flagship label, plus Single Vineyard expressions, the Aged Release museum program, sub-brands The Other Wine Co. and Incognito, and associated projects MMAD Vineyard (McLaren Vale) and Tolpuddle Vineyard (Tasmania). Wines are estate-grown across 70 hectares at Balhannah, Lenswood, Piccadilly and Lobethal, fermented and bottled on-site at the Balhannah winery, and reach consumers via company-owned e-commerce, the Balhannah cellar door, recurring Wine Club subscriptions, paid tasting room experiences, and an international distributor network in 27+ countries.
Is Shaw and Smith a public or private company?
Shaw and Smith is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Shaw and Smith founded?
Shaw and Smith was founded in 1989. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Shaw and Smith based?
Shaw and Smith is headquartered in Balhannah, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Shaw and Smith make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Direct Wine Sales are the primary driver. The others are wine Club Subscriptions, wholesale and Export Distribution and events and Experiences.
Who are Shaw and Smith's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Henschke, Torbreck Vintners, Mount Mary Vineyard, Giant Steps, Felton Road, Best's Great Western and Curly Flat. Broad incumbents are Penfolds (Treasury Wine Estates), Yalumba and Cloudy Bay.
Does Shaw and Smith have an API?
No public API is recorded for Shaw and Smith.
What industry is Shaw and Smith in?
Shaw and Smith's product category is Premium Wine. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRADAIAB, Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands, with a secondary code of AFAFAAAB, Wine Production & Winemaking. Its NAICS code is 312130 and its SIC code is 2080.