Boasting a recent swag of gold medals and the Trophy for the best Cabernet Sauvignon in the NSW Wine Awards 2021 for their 2018 vintage, it’s no surprise Shaw Wines are also king at providing exceptional wine experiences. For those who have been to the Shaw Wines cellar door, you will know what I mean.
The wines and the people are loaded with personality, energy and a sense of place and purpose.
In a relatively short period of time, Shaw Wines has built a well-respected and highly regarded reputation amongst consumers and critics alike, locally, nationally and on the global stage.
This week we take a peek through the Shaw Wines looking glass, with the captain at the helm – Graeme Shaw.
What’s your grape growing and winemaking philosophy?
To use only quality fruit with minimum intervention
How long have you been making wines in the Yass Valley region?
Since 2003
How did you get into the business of making wine?
Initially as a grower for BRL Hardy Wine Co and upon their sale, we then established our own brand and developed the cellar door and restaurant.
What varieties and styles do you most enjoy making and drinking?
I prefer the medium-bodied style except for our Reserve Reds which are full-bodied. My favourite varieties are Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is something that is unique about your winery?
Since 2017 we have ceased the use of herbicides and pesticides and allowed the weed cover to develop, while this looks unsightly it creates a micro ecological habitat for beneficial insects
Is there anything about making wine that you fear?
Spilling it!
What’s one thing that no one would ever know about you or your winery?
When we first developed the vineyard, we set it up under a community title scheme and sold off a number of 1.5 ha vineyard lots in order to fund the whole operation. Some 18 years later we have bought back those lots and have recently collapsed the community title to revert to the original Torrens titles.
What’s your favourite food and wine combination?
Oysters and Rose
If you only had one wine to drink before you die, what would it be?
A good, aged French Champagne
Do you have any other points of interest about you, your wines, or your winery that YVT readers might be interested to know?
It’s a full-on family affair business that has proven to produce wines that have received high international acclaim and a wide consumer following. I myself have a strong interest in car racing and apart from COVID years race regularly. We purchased the First Selective grape harvester in NSW in order to achieve a better quality of harvest this has proven to be a great asset.
Why should people call in to your Cellar Door?
Because we have the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff who will guide you through our range of wines and ensure you will have a memorable experience.
Where else can people buy your wines?
At the cellar door, online and many wine shops. Join our wine club and receive 20% discounts, along with several new travel and lifestyle concessions that we will be announcing soon.
Brent Lello
Yass Valley Times Wine Columnist
