Calabria Family Wines Group News
CELEBRATING THE REMARKABLE CAREER OF IVO SARTOR: A LEGACY OF OVER 50 YEARS AT MCWILLIAM'S WINES & THE CALABRIA FAMILY WINE GROUP
The Calabria Family Wine Group, proud owners of McWilliam’s Wines, is honoured to announce the retirement of Ivo Sartor. Ivo has been a cherished member of our team for over five decades, whose dedication and passion have been integral to our success.
Ivo joined McWilliam’s winery on the 28th of August 1970, at the ripe age of 15 years old, learning the ropes from the ground up and bringing an unwavering dedication of hard work. Today Ivo is the longest serving, non-family member of McWilliam’s Wines and over the years, Ivo has been a cornerstone of McWilliam’s winemaking facility, contributing to cellar operations including the premium wine cellar and maintenance department. His expertise, wealth of knowledge, and innovative spirit have left an indelible mark on the McWilliam’s brand.
Throughout his career at McWilliam’s, Ivo’s leadership and mentorship have inspired countless colleagues, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
“We are grateful for Ivo’s extraordinary contributions to the McWilliam’s Wine brand and the Calabria Family Wine Group,” said Bill Calabria, director of Calabria Family Wine Group. “His dedication will continue to inspire our team and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
PONTING WINES PARTNERS WITH CALABRIA FAMILY WINE GROUP
We are thrilled to announce that the Calabria Family Wine Group has entered into a distribution partnership with Australia’s Ponting Wines, marking an exciting new chapter for both organisations.
Ponting Wines was established in 2020 and is a collaboration between one of Australia’s most celebrated cricketers, Ricky Ponting and Australian winemaker, Ben Riggs, known for uncompromising, high-quality wines.
"My family are excited to partner with another family-owned wine business in the Calabria Family Wine Group. We see obvious synergies and clear opportunities for Ponting Wines, as we look to continue our growth. We look forward to working closely with the Calabria family," said Ricky Ponting.
The Ponting wine brand will join the Calabria Family Wine Group distribution portfolio, currently managed by Saint Wines. Starting October 1, 2024, the Calabria Family Wine Group will become the official distributor within Australia.
"We are delighted to welcome Ponting Wines to our distribution portfolio. Ricky’s shared family values of integrity and quality are a natural synergy with our family business,” said Andrew Calabria, Sales & Marketing Director of Calabria Family Wine Group.
Each wine in the Ponting portfolio reflects Ricky’s life and has been carefully crafted by Ben to ensure flavour, structure and complexity are of the highest quality.
The Ponting wine portfolio will include;
● Ponting 366 Shiraz Cabernet Mclaren Vale/Coonawarra, SA
● Ponting Milestone 127 Shiraz Barossa Valley, SA
● Ponting Milestone 257 Tasmanian Pinot Noir Tasmania
● Ponting Milestone 140 Tasmanian Chardonnay Tasmania
● Ponting Mowbray Boy Pinot Noir Tasmania
● Ponting The Pinnacle Shiraz McLaren Vale, SA
● Ponting Close of Play Cabernet Sauvignon Langhorne Creek, SA
● Ponting Riana Rose Fleurieu Peninsula, SA
● Ponting Top Order Chardonnay Adelaide Hills, SA
● Ponting First Session Sauvignon Blanc Adelaide Hills, SA
The quality of the range is highlighted by significant show success since the brand was launched in 2020, winning over 50 gold medals at domestic and international shows. This includes Platinum and 97 points at The Decanter World Wine Awards for the 2018 Ponting 366, backed up by Gold and 95 points for the 2019 the following year. In recent months the main drive line, the Ponting The Pinnacle McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022 has achieved 95 points and Gold at the International Wines and Spirits Competition.
All wines will be available to order from Calabria Family Wine Group October 1st 2024.
For more information or to range, please contact customerservice@calabriafwg.com.au.
CALABRIA FAMILY WINE GROUP 2024 VINTAGE REPORT
The 2024 vintage has wrapped up, and what a speedy vintage it was!
In the 25 vintages I have completed, every season brings its highlights and challenges, 2024 was no different.
We continue to learn more about the capacity of the Hanwood winery, every machine and every team member worked at 110% - bringing our largest crush through the gates.
2024 is characterized by below average rainfall throughout the latter half of 2023. We experienced a rain event in early January, fortunately this was early enough and no vine damage was caused. Temperatures were slightly above average, accelerating ripeness even faster.
Crushing commenced on the 15th January, this quickly escalated into early harvest Chardonnay and by 31st January we were in full swing – making it a full 2 weeks earlier than 2023.
By early February we had reds coming into the winery, Pinot Noir followed by Shiraz.
Majority of processing took place in the night, taking advantage of the optimal cool temperatures.
Last day of crush was April 5th with Tasmanian Pinot Noir closing out the vintage.
Now we ask ourselves the all-important question, how are the 2024 vintage wines tasting?
Aromatic whites from Riverina.
Cool climate areas are fresh and vibrant, with the trademark Calabria characteristics; purity, palate drive and varietal integrity.
A cross section of Chardonnay from Tumbarumba, Adelaide Hills, Tasmania and Riverina. All regions have hallmarks of regionality and show their own personality. Watch this space for the release of new regional Chardonnays.
Our red attention was focused on colour intensity and integrity. All regions are showing great promise; dense and opulent.
Shiraz from Riverina, Gundagai, Canberra and Barossa all display their own terroir and styles.
Durif is opulent, Pinot Noir is vibrant and fresh, Cabernet displaying distinct leaf and varietal characteristics.
Our best wines are tucked into barrels for the next 12 months, while we work on blending and stabilizing commercials.
2024 has been the year Calabria Family Wine Group broke records – highest number of tonnes crushed in one day and an extremely compressed vintage. This is an achievement that needs to be recognized, and massive thanks to all staff involved.
Loyal Calabria Family Wine Group customers, rest easy – there are some delicious wines coming your way from 2024.
- Emma Norbiato
Chief Winemaker
MAJOR TROPHY WINNERS AT MELBOURNE ROYAL WINE AWARDS
McWilliam's Wines, a renowned name in the Australian wine industry, continues to thrive under the Calabria Family Wine Group, as they celebrate a quadruple major trophy win at the esteemed Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023, held on Friday November 3rd 2023 at the Victoria Pavilion, Melbourne Showgrounds.
Marking a triumphant return to its glory on the wine show circuit, Calabria Family Wine Group is thrilled to announce the outstanding success for its McWilliam’s brand, where it was honoured with four major trophies for their McWilliam’s Single Vineyard 2022 Shiraz and McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate 20 Year Old Rare Tawny.
The 2022 McWilliam's Single Vineyard Shiraz has emerged as a true standout, securing three remarkable accolades. It was awarded Best Shiraz of the competition, Best NSW Shiraz (inc ACT), and Best Single Vineyard Wine. This exceptional wine showcases the dedication and energy of the Calabria Family Wine Group team, who have meticulously crafted a masterpiece with fruit supply sourced from the steep granite soils of the Quarry Hill Vineyard situated to the south of Murrumbateman and is a harmonious collaboration between our winemakers and the exceptional vineyard management by Russell Kerrison.
In addition, McWilliam's Hanwood Estate 20 Year Old Rare Tawny was recognised as the Best Fortified Wine, further solidifying McWilliam's strong reputation for exceptional Fortified wine styles and remaining the leading producer of Fortified wines in Australia.
“This remarkable achievement is a testament to the enthusiasm and expertise of our winemaking team and, in addition, our vineyard partner Russell Kerrison who was awarded the Trophy for Viticultural Excellence,” commented Andrew Calabria, Sales Director and third generation family member.
McWilliam's Wines, acquired by the Calabria Family Wine Group in 2021, with its rich heritage spanning 145 years, has always been synonymous with quality and innovation. This recent success at the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards reaffirms the brand's position as a leader in the Australian wine industry.
“We are incredibly humbled and excited to have McWilliam’s returning to its glory on the wine show circuit. Often underappreciated for its exceptional premium quality, these accolades serve as a testament to McWilliam's leading role in cool climate winemaking,” said Calabria.
“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our loyal supporters, whose unwavering love for our wines has played a pivotal role in our success. Your continued support and enthusiasm inspire us to push the boundaries of winemaking, ensuring that every bottle delivers an exceptional experience,” commented Calabria.
FOURTH GEN JOINS CALABRIA FAMILY WINE GROUP
We are thrilled to announce that Calabria Family Wine Group has welcomed fourth-generation family member; Sophie Calabria to our team. Sophie brings a fresh perspective to our family-owned winery, currently completing a Bachelor of Marketing & Communication through University of South Australia, we look forward to seeing her grow and continuing to share our love of wine with our customers around the world.
Sophie's grandfather, Bill Calabria, is especially proud to see his granddaughter join the family business. He has always been a strong advocate for family values and passing on the traditions and knowledge of the company to the next generation. “As a family-owned business, we are proud to have been producing award-winning wines for over 75 years. We believe that our success is due to our commitment to quality, sustainability, and family values.
With Sophie joining the marketing team, we are excited to continue this legacy and to pass on our passion to the next generation.” Bill Calabria.
CHAMPAGNE DEUTZ X MELBOURNE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
We are thrilled to announce that our International partner brand; Champagne Deutz is the official Champagne Partner of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra! As two iconic brands with a shared passion for excellence and creativity, we are excited to bring together the world of music and champagne, which we are looking forward to celebrating with you all.
Champagne Deutz is a world-renowned champagne house that has been producing exceptional champagne for over 180 years. Their commitment to quality and tradition has earned them a reputation as one of the finest champagne producers in the world, creating a range of exquisite champagnes that are renowned for their elegance, complexity, and finesse. With its delicate bubbles, rich flavors, and luxurious texture, Champagne Deutz is the perfect choice for any celebration or special occasion. Whether you're toasting a milestone or simply enjoying a glass with friends, Champagne Deutz is sure to impress.
MAURICE O'SHEA AWARD RETURNS IN 2022 UNDER NEW BANNER; AUSTRALIAN WINE INDUSTRY AWARDS
Prestigious Maurice O’Shea Award will continue, in partnership with McWilliam’s Wines and Mount Pleasant Wines.
Australian Wine Industry Awards event will recognise Mount Pleasant’s Maurice O’Shea Award and the new McWilliam’s Wines Excellence in Action award.
A judges committee will be formed to confer with leaders of the industry and select the winners of each award.
Awards will be presented at a special ceremony to celebrate the industry ahead of the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference (AWITC) in June.
The prestigious Maurice O’Shea Award will return in 2022 under the new Australian Wine Industry Awards event, in partnership with McWilliam’s Wines and Mount Pleasant Wines. The new awards will
be presented at an exclusive event in Adelaide, South Australia on Sunday, 26 June 2022 ahead of the Australian Wine Industry Technical Conference taking place that same week.
Founded in 1990 by the McWilliam family, the triennial awards ceremony commemorates and pays homage to Mount Pleasant's legendary, Maurice O’Shea. This significant industry award recognises an individual, group, or organisation for their incredible service or contribution to the industry through winemaking, cultivation, innovation and technology.
Following the change of ownership to both Mount Pleasant and McWilliam’s Wines in 2021 by the Medich Family Office and Calabria Family Wine Group respectively, the two felt passionate about working together to honour these distinguished awards and bring this important industry program into a new era.
“Maurice O’Shea was a man who devoted his efforts to the craft of making great Australian wine. The Maurice O’Shea Award is to honour and recognise a group or individual that has made a significant contribution to the industry by forging new pathways in their efforts to strive for excellence and greaten the industry as a whole,” Chief Winemaker for Mount Pleasant Wines, Adrian Sparks said.
“Mount Pleasant is proud to honour Maurice O’Shea and his enduring legacy to the Australian wine industry by presenting this award in collaboration with the Calabria family.”
In addition to the Maurice O’Shea Award, the new McWilliam’s Award for Excellence in Action will also be presented on the night to an individual, group or organisation that has made a significant impact in
the face of the numerous challenges currently facing the Australian wine industry.
“While the iconic Maurice O’Shea Award celebrates the significant contribution of a group or individual to the industry, we’ve created the McWilliam’s Award for Excellence in Action to focus on the many
challenges facing the wine industry - challenges like climate change, diversity and equality, and international market access - and the important people or industry bodies that have tackled these
obstacles head-on for the betterment of our industry,” third-generation Sales & Marketing Director for Calabria Family Wine Group Andrew Calabria said.
“McWilliam’s Wines has had its fair share of challenges in its 143-year history, but the family’s perseverance and commitment to the industry are what, to me, stand out over those many years and we felt this new distinction was an important way to honour that.”
Under the new partnership, Mount Pleasant and McWilliam’s have called upon leaders across the Australian wine industry to join an exclusive judging committee to confer and nominate potential
winners of both awards. The selected judges include industry body leaders, journalists, winemakers and representatives from Mount Pleasant, McWilliam’s Wines and Calabria Family Wines. A full list of
judges is provided below.
“The conferral process aims to ensure the two awards remain true to Maurice O’Shea’s reputation as the highest honour afforded to a member of the wine industry. We are excited to bring together this
selection of respected and experienced wine professionals to nominate the finest candidates for these awards,” Sparks said.
The Australian Wine Industry Awards, presented by Mount Pleasant and McWilliam’s Wines, will take place by invite only on Sunday, 26 June 2022 in Adelaide, South Australia. The names of the winners
will be announced that evening and via media release the following day.
Mount Pleasant and McWilliam’s Wines are pleased to welcome the following industry representatives as inaugural judges of the Australian Wine Industry Awards:
Phil Ryan, Ambassador, Mount Pleasant Wines
Campbell Mattinson, independent wine journalist
Louisa Rose, Head of Winemaking, Yalumba and Hills Smith Family Vineyards
Bill Calabria AM, Director and Winemaker, Calabria Family Wine Group
Mark Krstic, Managing Director, Australian Wine Research Institute
Tony Battaglene, Chief Executive, Australian Grape & Wine
Jane Faulkner, independent wine journalist
Doug McWilliam, past chairman, McWilliam's Wines and 5th generation industry family member
A special thanks to the generous support of the Gold Sponsors of this event:
Orora Packaging Australia
CCL Industries
For more information about the Australian Wine Industry Awards, please visit:
www.australianwineindustryawards.com
#AWIAwards
READ MORE
MCWILLIAM'S MAKES DEBUT ON DRINKS INTERNATIONAL'S WORLD'S MOST ADMIRED WINE BRANDS
McWilliam's Wines has claimed a place as one of The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands, making its debut on Drinks International’s annual list at #45 alongside a growing number of familiar Australian wine producers.
The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands is a prestigious list of the 50 most loved and respected wine brands globally. Now in its 12th year, the annual list is decided by an academy of top retailers, sommeliers, buyers and Masters of Wine from six continents.
After a challenging year for Australia’s wine producers, the growing number of local winemakers on the list is a promising sign for Australian wineries eager to break new ground in international markets and demonstrate the increasing quality of Australian wines. McWilliam’s joins other familiar Australian producers on the list, including Penfolds (#2), 19 Crimes (#18), Henschke (#21), Yellow Tail (#24), and Yalumba (#33).
The debut of McWilliam’s Wines to #45 on the list reflects the significant development in the winery’s journey over the last two years. The sixth-generation family winery boasts over 140 years of winemaking history, embodied through its rich portfolio of premium wines.
This global recognition comes a year after the winery was purchased by its Riverina neighbours, Calabria Family Wine Group, proving the partnership between the two family wineries is already off to a promising start.
Sixth-generation Global Brand Ambassador Scott McWilliam said of the accolade: “The growing collection of Australian wineries on this distinguished list is hugely exciting for our industry. We commend all of the notable Australian producers who have received a mention this year.
“For McWilliam’s Wines to earn a spot among the most respected wineries in the world is a testament to our perseverance, rich heritage, and unique partnership that we have formed with Calabria Family Wines.”
The complete list is available on the Drinks International website here.
Editor’s note: Drinks International listed McWilliam’s Wines as a ‘re-entry’ into the list at the time of publishing. The Drinks International team has confirmed this was an error, and McWilliam’s is a new entry into the list.
For more information about McWilliam’s Wines, visit www.mcwilliams.com.au.
Follow McWilliam’s on Instagram at @mcwilliamswines.
WAVE OF TROPHIES FOR CALABRIA AT RIVERLAND WINE SHOW
Calabria Family Wines has taken top honours at the 49th Riverland Wine Show, receiving a total of six exhibition and individual wine trophies in the regional competition.
Calabria’s trophy haul includes the Wally Ware Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor (Red Classes 2, 9
12-16, 23), MCC Multi-Color Australia Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor (White Wine Classes 1, 3-8, 10-11, 18-19, 21-22), Rabobank Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor (Classes 1-23), Novozymes Australia Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor (Overall) in addition to individual awards including the A.P. John Coopers Trophy for Chief Judge’s Wine of Choice for its 2020 Calabria Private Bin Pinot Bianco and Australian Vintage AW Kelly Memorial Trophy for Best Fortified Wine for the McWilliam’s Wines Show Reserve Muscat.
In addition to the major trophies, Calabria also received a top score and gold medal for its Three Bridges Botrytis Semillon 2018.
While many of the country’s regional and national wine shows have been postponed or cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, third-generational Sales & Marketing Director Andrew Calabria welcomes the outstanding results.
“We are beyond thrilled with the outcome from the show as it demonstrates our continued commitment to the Riverina region and the potential it has to produce outstanding wines. We commend the Riverland Wine Show team for putting on a fantastic show despite the challenges presented this year,” Calabria said.
“While the Riverland and surrounding river regions excel at consistently producing top value wines, there’s a movement by producers of all sizes to push the boundaries and showcase the premium side of the river regions and it’s great to see the Riverland Wine Show shining a light on these premium producers.
The Riverland Wine Show has been a forum for the evaluation of wines produced from fruit sourced from the inland irrigated regions of Swan Hill, Murray Darling, Riverina, Rutherglen and Riverland regions. Judges include a mix of winemakers and industry leaders, with Oliver’s Taranga winemaker Corrina Wright as Chief Judge.
Other trophy winners in the competition include Pete’s Pure Shiraz 2021 for Best Wine of Show, Temple Bruer Wines Agonist White Frontignac 2020 for Best Organic / Biodynamic Wine in Show, and the Ricca Terra Fiano 2021 for Best Alternative Wine in Show.
For more information about the Riverland Wine Show, please visit http://www.riverlandwineshow.com.au/
CALABRIA FAMILY WINES & MCWILLIAMS
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We are pleased to share with you that Calabria Family Wines’ purchase of McWilliam’s Wines is now complete.
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Both of our families have a rich heritage, contributing much to the Australian wine industry and the Riverina wine region. While the recent acquisition closes a difficult period for the McWilliam family, I speak for everyone in the Calabria family that we aim to respect their many contributions to the growth of Australian wine and champion the unique attributes that have made the McWilliam’s name celebrated around the world. READ MORE
AUSTRALIAN WINE BRANDS DEAKIN ESTATE, LA LA LAND AND AZAHARA FIND NEW HOME AT CALABRIA FAMILY WINES
Australian winemaker Calabria Family Wines is welcoming three Australian wine brands to its growing portfolio; Deakin Estate, La La Land and Azahara. The formal agreement is a brand-only sale and transfers ownership of these well-established brands from the Wingara Wine Group, part of Henkell Freixenet, to the Calabria family.
Calabria Family Wines will now produce all of the wines across each of the brands’ portfolios from their Griffith, NSW winery as well as manage marketing across all markets. Calabria Family Wines will continue the current distribution partnership with Red & White for all three brands in Australia. READ MORE
CALABRIA FAMILY WINE GROUP BRINGS HOME BEST AUSTRALIAN WINE OF SHOW RECOGNITION FROM JAPAN
Australian wine producer, Calabria Family Wine Group, is thrilled to announce their outstanding success at the 2024 Japan Wine Challenge, Asia’s most prestigious and professional international wine competition.
Among the 25 trophies awarded at the show, the Calabria family was crowned Trophy for ‘Best New World Dessert Wine’ for their 2023 flagship Calabria Three Bridges Botrytis Semillon, produced in the Riverina region of NSW, renowned for making Botrytis wines. This wine also earned them ‘Best Value Sweet Wine Award’ for wines priced between 2,000 and 2,999 yen (approximately $20 to $30 AUD).
Adding to their accolades, the McWilliam’s portfolio also shone with the McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate 10 Year Old Grand Tawny winning the ‘Best New World Fortified’ trophy and a prestigious platinum medal. This remarkable achievement made it the only Australian wine to receive a platinum medal across all categories, securing its place as the ‘Best Australian Wine of Show’ award.
CALABRIA’S SHIRAZ CARIGNAN SUCCESS AT ROYAL SYDNEY
We are thrilled to share the exciting news from the 2024 Sydney Royal Wine Show awards ceremony, where our Barossa Valley Calabria Saint Petri 2022 Shiraz Carignan has been honored with the Arthur Kelman Perpetual Trophy for ‘Best Shiraz Dominant Blend’ The Sydney Royal Wine Show is renowned as one of Australia’s prestigious wine competitions, attracting thousands of entries from hundreds of producers nationwide.
Winning this award is a testament to our dedication from the vineyard through to our quality winemaking. The fruit for the Calabria Saint Petri 2022 vintage is sourced from the Calabria family's William vineyard in the Barossa Valley, named after Bill and Lena’s first grandson.
The vineyard sits on the Barossa Valley floor's famous ‘Golden Mile’ stretch. It comprises nine rows of 100-year-old Centenarian vines, originally planted in 1914 by the Hahn family. A selection of the Carignan fruit is hand-picked from these old vines and the Shiraz selected for this wine is over fifty years of age.
“Someone was working hard in 1914 when they planted these vines, and we’ve done our very best to maintain the integrity of the vines and the fruit they produce. This wine represents not only our family’s love and dedication for the craft of winemaking, and also the families before us that worked hard and made sacrifices to develop the vineyard,” said Bill Calabria AM.
Calabria Saint Petri Shiraz Carignan showcases ancient vines, remarkable soil and finesse – true to its Barossa heritage and as we approach the official release of this award-winning wine, we are already seeing significant anticipation, with the wine also being awarded a Platinum medal at the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards.
In addition, we are proud to announce that our Calabria Belena Barossa Valley Shiraz has won a gold medal for the 2023 vintage - one of only two golds in its class, while Calabria Richland Cabernet Sauvignon was equal highest pointed 2023 Cabernet at 91 points! These are fantastic achievements for value-driven wines and further underscores our commitment to overdeliver on quality.
MCWILLIAM'S WINES THREE YEARS ON
One of Australia’s most recognised wine names, McWilliam’s Wines is celebrating three-years of achievement and positive growth under the Calabria Family ownership.
McWilliam’s Wines, under the ownership of the Calabria Family Wine Group since 2021, commemorates three years of remarkable progress and achievement since acquiring the iconic brand. The past three years have seen the continuation of a storied legacy, marked by strides in winemaking excellence, industry recognition, operational expansion, and renewed commitment to sustainability.
Reflecting on the acquisition of McWilliam’s Wines in 2021, Bill Calabria AM, Director of the Calabria Family Wine Group, remarked, "We aim to uphold the legacy of the McWilliam family while also propelling the brand into a chapter of success."
Three years on, the McWilliam wine portfolio commitment to quality and wine show success has remained strong, with notable accolades coming in from the 2023 Royal Melbourne Wine Show with a quadruple trophy win, including ‘Best Shiraz of Competition’ for the McWilliam's Single Vineyard 2022 Shiraz and ‘Best Fortified Wine’ for the Hanwood Estate 20 Year Old Rare Tawny.
The year prior, McWilliam's 2021 Single Vineyard Tumbarumba Chardonnay was crowned Champion Wine of Show at the Canberra & Region Wine Show. In addition to wine show success, the winery upheld a 5-Star Halliday rating and claimed a ranking in The World’s Most Admired Wine Brands in 2022.
“McWilliam’s long-standing legacy of winemaking excellence carries on, with a continued commitment to maintaining style and quality across all of our ranges,” Mel McWilliam, McWilliam’s 6th generation family winemaker, proudly states.
Mel McWilliam and her cousin Scott McWilliam both remain active in the family business. Mel, who recently graduated with a Bachelor of Wine Science in 2023, has balanced study and full-time work at McWilliam’s since 2018. Scott’s passion for the industry and the brand plays an integral role, serving as an ambassador for the domestic and international portfolio.
“One of our major priorities the past three years has been to reinvigorate the fortified ranges.” said Andrew Calabria, Sales & Marketing Manager. Investing over $300,000 on enhanced premium packaging redevelopment and a major three-year national consumer advertising campaign has aided in bringing the brand back to life.
“The new selection of specifically aged releases is a marked evolution of the winery’s past while demonstrating McWilliam’s position at the forefront of the fortified industry,” McWilliam’s Wines Brand Manager Carrah Lymer said. “These fortified wines are sensational, and it’s so exciting to see McWilliam’s back sharing the story of its amazing wines through national campaigns.”
The investment has paid off as the McWilliam’s brand remains at the forefront of the Australian landscape with sales up 11% on +$15 brands. In addition, McWilliam’s strong brand power was reinforced in the 2023 IWSR Brand Health Tracker report*, ranking #13 in the Australian market for brand awareness.
In August 2023, after a three-year hiatus, the Calabria family was proud to reopen the doors of the newly refreshed Hanwood Cellar Door located in Griffith NSW. As one of an exclusive few oversized tourist landmarks around Australia, McWilliam’s expansive barrel-shaped cellar door was first opened in 1973, celebrating over 50 years of welcoming visitors to the site. Today the cellar door has transferred into a warm and modern tasting room, offering elevated customer experiences. “This reopening feels like a new era for us and a great opportunity to reconnect with friends and visitors with some incredible new wine experiences,” said Elizabeth Calabria, Head of Marketing.
McWilliam’s Wines ongoing commitment to sustainability is demonstrated through recent certification under the Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard of Sustainable Practice, which looks at a wide array of sustainability measures including biodiversity, biosecurity and resource efficiency as well as packaging stewardship and social impact of operations. This significant milestone highlights the unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
Experiencing remarkable biodiversity gains in the water bodies around the winery, which are now serving as a thriving habitat for species such as Magpie geese and other water birds, fish, insects and aquatic plants. In line with their Net Zero pathway, further investment in a 1-megawatt solar installation is set to be completed before the 2025 vintage, a significant step towards achieving net-zero operations by 2030. As a member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and a signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant Organization, McWilliam’s Wines continues to lead the way in sustainable winemaking practices and industry excellence.
Legacy and community connections has also remained a priority, as the McWilliam's brand continues to honour industry achievements, through the McWilliam’s Maurice O’Shea Award, which was founded in 1990 by the McWilliam’s family - a triennial award that commemorates and pays homage to Mount Pleasant’s legendary Maurice O’Shea. In 2022, McWilliam’s and Mount Pleasant connected to present the prestigious award at the ‘Australian Wine Industry Awards’, with the recipient being Pamela Dunsford OAM (2022) who joins the impressive list of past winners of the Maurice O’Shea Award.
“We are proud to continue this award in collaboration with Mount Pleasant. We also felt it was fitting to introduce a new award, Excellence in Action,” said Michael Calabria, General Manager. The Excellence in Action Award was presented to Australian Women in Wine Awards, recognised for continuing to tackle key issues head-on for the betterment of the industry.
In addition, McWilliam’s Wines continues to maintain decades-long relationships with community and sporting groups with the Collaroy Surf Life Saving Club being one of the longest. Initially set up by Keith McWilliam in the 1940s after he witnessed a rescue by Collaroy lifesavers, McWilliam’s Wines sponsored the club with 23 surfboats between 1946 to 1996. The 50-year relationship went on hiatus in the late 90s but was once again reestablished in 2016 by Jeff McWilliam, Keith’s grandson.
Far away from the beaches of Sydney, McWilliam’s continues to sponsor local grassroots sporting groups such as the local Hanwood Cricket Club, another long-standing relationship upheld by the new owners.
Exciting developments are on the horizon for the next three years with the McWilliam’s brand including the release of exclusive aged brandy in the works from our collection at Hanwood Estate. There will also be continued enhancements to the Hanwood Estate Cellar Door and Lakeside areas with development around the site taking place to host more visitor experiences and events. Then there is the milestone anniversary in 2027, where we will be honouring and celebrating 150 years of McWilliam’s Wine's history!
The Calabria Family Wine Group extends its gratitude to the McWilliam family and the community for their support, and remains dedicated to the ongoing success and legacy of McWilliam's Wines.
2023 HARVEST REPORT
By Chief Winemaker; Emma Norbiato
Vintage 2023 commenced on at the start of February and the last fruit was crushed in very early May.
Fruit was sourced from near and far: Riverina, Barossa, Tumbarumba, Canberra, Hilltops and for the first time, Tasmania. We are fortunate that our main facility at Hanwood has the premium and commercial capacity to handle grape parcels of many different varieties and sizes.
Every growing season is different and 2023 had its challenges. The main concerns for wineries and vignerons in 2023 was the extreme rain (almost nation-wide) falling in the early stages of vintage in 2022. Over 200ml was recorded in the Riverina during the month of October. Therefore, diligence during the early season was critical. In some instances, vignerons were physically unable to enter their vineyards due to flooding, however those that were managed to save their yields.
Fortunately, as predicted, La Niña eased in December and we experienced less rainfall through December to April.
Temperatures from December to April were comparable to the long-term average, however without the usual heat waves; there were only two days at 40°C or greater all summer.
Therefore, wines from the Riverina exhibit freshness and vibrancy because of more moderate temperatures throughout the growing season.
Likewise, the Barossa had a cooler growing season. Consequently the wines are far more elegant than we have come to expect from the Barossa - with vibrant purple fruit and showing a refined tannin structure quite early.
NSW regions - Hilltops, Tumbarumba and Canberra followed similar weather patterns of high rainfall and median growing season temperatures. Once again, the wines are vibrant, pure, and elegant.
Finally, we processed a small batch of Tassie fruit, the precious cargo making its way across the water in wooden bins!
What are the highlights? While we like to keep our cards close to our chest, an early call is Canberra Shiraz is looking superb, 1914 Barossa Shiraz exudes great elegance, and Riverina Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay are on point.
Now we enter phase two: tucking the premiums into oak for 12 months, all the while blending, stabilizing, and filtering our early release whites. 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Moscato and Chardonnay will soon be enjoyed available for the world to enjoy.
Lastly, but certainly not least, applause must go to our growers, cellar, lab, viticulture, and winemaking teams for their dedication to the cause of making great wine.
TUSCANY IN THE RIVERINA: CALABRIA FAMILY WINES LAUNCHES NEW VISITOR EXPERIENCES
The impact of the pandemic is recognised as far reaching in the tourism industry. For some, like the Calabria family, it’s also been a time of creativity resulting in an inspiring upgrade of their Tuscan-style, cellar door in Griffith. The innovative changes now give visitors to the Riverina new and exciting ways to connect with the region’s wine story.
Calabria Family Wines is building on their reputation as one of Australia’s top 20 wine producers by offering new immersive experiences for visitors. A sensory wall, new wine tasting room and bar menu, along with museum renovations are complete at their Griffith location. For wine lovers there are also premium tasting options.
The Calabria Museum celebrates decades of the family’s history in Griffith and offers a range of interactive experiences. A new addition is the interactive sensory wall — one of only two in Australia — showcasing aromas that inspire the region's wines. Using a system of hand-blown glass decanters and aroma pumps, the carefully curated selection gives visitors a unique and sensory-rich, self-guided experience.
"We have a cellar full of incredible stories and award-winning wines, and it's only fitting that our tasting program and cellar door reflect that,” said Bill Calabria AM of the new offerings. The second-generation director and his family proudly operate the 75-year-old company.
CALABRIA’S VINTNERS & CO. WELCOMES DOÑA PAULA AGENTINIAN WINES TO DISTRIBUTION PORTFOLIO
Calabria Family Wine Group’s international distribution arm Vintners & Co. Merchants has welcomed Argentinian wine producer Doña Paula to its global wine portfolio, with the wines now available to purchase.
Established in 1997, Doña Paula is founded on an estate winemaking philosophy with 100% of its fruit sourced from its very own vineyards in select areas of the high-altitude Mendoza wine region. While the name is known for producing premium malbec, the winery also produces award-winning torrontés, chardonnay, riesling, cabernet sauvignon and pinot noir.
Doña Paula is also accredited by the Bodegas de Argentina Sustainability Protocol as a certified sustainability managed winery and is one of 10 Argentinian wineries to be certified. Its wines are consistently rated highly by international wine critics, with Robert Parker regularly scoring Doña Paula’s malbec releases 90 points and above.
“Doña Paula offers an incredible mix of value for money and premium Argentinian wines that we know Australian wine lovers will enjoy. We have seen the incredible excitement and growth around malbec in the market, so feel confident that Doña Paula will be able to offer a diverse and authentic selection of Argentina’s premier red grape variety here in Australia,” third-generation Sales & Marketing Director Andrew Calabria said.
The initial portfolio of Doña Paula wines to land in Australia will focus predominantly on the winery’s premium malbecs, commencing with:
Dona Paula ‘Paula’ Malbec
Dona Paula High Altitude Malbec
Dona Paula High Altitude Pinot Noir
Seleccion de Bodega Malbec
Alluvia Parcel Malbec
Doña Paula joins a selection of premium wine producers in the Vintners & Co. Merchants distribution portfolio, which now includes Deutz Champaign, Dow’s Port, Librandi, and Canti Prosecco.
A TASTE OF ITALIAN HISTORY ARRIVES IN AUSTRALIA: FONTANAFREDDA JOINS CALABRIA FAMILY'S VINTNERS & CO. MERCHANTS
Fontanafredda, one of Piedmont’s most historic Barolo producers, will be making its way into Australian wine glasses following a new distribution agreement with Calabria Family Wine Group’s Vintners & Co. Merchants. Founded by the first King of Italy more than 160 years ago, Fontanafredda is celebrated the world over for producing wines of excellence from their estate in the rolling hills of Le Langhe.
The Fontanafredda estate was first purchased in 1858 by Vittorio Emanuele II as a gift for “La Bella Rosin” – Rosa, the woman he loved - with the first Barolo vineyard purchased by the King in 1866. The first wines were vinified in Fontanafredda’s cellars in 1870, with the winery innovating its winemaking and viticultural practices ever since. The King and Rosa planted the first vineyard together, which is now named Vigna La Rosa, dedicated to Rosa Vercellana, "La Bella Rosin".
“We are thrilled to be welcoming such a prestigious name in Italian wine to the Vintners & Co. Merchants portfolio. Fontanafredda is synonymous with producing some of Italy’s finest wines, with further recognition by the world’s top critics for the winery’s Barolos,” third-generation Sales & Marketing Director of the Calabria Family Wine Group, Andrew Calabria said.
“As one of Piedmont’s most recognised wine producers, this new partnership presents an exciting opportunity for our team to tap into new sales channels as the thirst for great international wines grows amongst Australian wine drinkers.”
Fontanafredda is located in the northern region of Piedmont, nestled in the foothills of the Alps that form the Italian border with France and Switzerland. The diurnal temperature variation of the region and diverse soils of the Fontanafredda property allows for the production of an extensive array of varietals at the winery, from powerful Barolo to bright sparklings. In 2015 the winery began converting all of the estate’s vineyards to organic farming techniques, and in 2018, Fontanafredda’s 160th birthday commenced their first certified organic harvest. Today, the winery has 120 hectares of organically grown vines to source its fruit.
In addition to the winery’s highly rated Barolos, Vintners & Co. Merchants has also secured a selection of other well known Italian varietals from the Fontanafredda portfolio, including the Roero Arneis DOCG, Langhe DOC Nebbiolo, Piedmont DOC Dolcetto and Piedmont DOC Barbera.
The Fontanafredda portfolio will be available in Australia in late June. For more information about Calabria Family Wines Groups Vintners & Co. Merchants, please contact: customerservice@calabriafwg.com.au
BILL CALABRIA RECOGNISED AS RIVERINA LEGEND AS FAMILY WINERY SWEEPS REGIONAL AWARDS SHOW
Second-generation Winemaker Bill Calabria, AM has been recognised as the 2021 Riverina Legend at this year’s Riverina Wine Show following his namesake winery’s sweeping of the competition with a total of six trophies and the award for Most Successful Exhibitor for the third consecutive year.
Bill (William) Calabria, AM has been a notable figure in the Riverina since first working for the family’s winery at the age of 14. He has long held that the region can produce outstanding, premium wines, in addition to creating some of the world’s most notable value drops.
Despite the highs and lows of the industry, Bill has been steadfast in forging a different path for the Calabria family, creating premium, regionally focussed brands like Three Bridges in addition to expanding the business’ footprint into the Barossa Valley. In 2013, Bill was made a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to the industry.
Speaking to the award, NSW Wine Industry Association President Mark Bourne said: “This deserved recognition of Bill’s accomplishments are borne from his passion, innovation and commitment to the Riverina, New South Wales and Australian wine industry over many years. We look forward to the exciting future for Bill and the entire Calabria family as they continue to play a significant role in the prosperity and growth of the Riverina for generations to come.”
Of the trophy winning wines, in the Riverina Wine Show Calabria’s Three Bridges Durif 2019 won the coveted trophy for Best Riverina Durif, with McWilliam’s Wines winning both the Best Riverina Dry White and Dry Red Trophies for the On the Grapevine Pinot Gris 2020 and Alternis Nero D’Avola 2021 respectively.
In the Australian Italian Varieties Wine Awards, McWilliam’s Alternis Nero D’Avola 2021 also took home the Chief Judge's Award for ‘Most Exciting Wine’. And in the Tumbarumba GI Wine Show, McWIlliam’s 480 Estate Chardonnay 2019 received Best Young White and Wine of Show in the regional competition.
After receiving the award at a special gala presentation, Bill Calabria, AM said: “What an honour to be the recipient of the Riverina Legend award. I am grateful to my distinguished peers and Riverina neighbours for continuing to support our family, even through the most challenging times in our 76 year history.
“I have always believed the Riverina to be incredibly underrated, both locally and globally, but through our consistency of quality wines from year to year, the region continues to be the heart of the NSW wine industry. One thing that stands out is the incredible sense of community and camaraderie found in the region and I send my sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to the ongoing success of our family winery over the past seven decades.”
The Riverina Legend award first launched in 2019 as part of the Riverina Wine Show. Bill Calabria, AM joins Les Worland (2019) and Jim and Keith McWilliam (2020) who have both been recognised for this distinguished regional award.
For more information about the Riverina Wine Shows, please visit www.riverinawinemakers.com.au.
NEW ACQUISITIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS LEAD TO LAUNCH OF CALABRIA FAMILY WINE GROUP
The Calabria family has launched the Calabria Family Wine Group signifying a new era for the Griffith-based family winery. Following a year of significant brand acquisitions, namely the historic McWilliam’s Wines brand and Hanwood Winery, along with Deakin Estate, and La La Land Wines, the rapid growth of the family business has evolved significantly, cementing them among the largest family-owned wine groups in Australia.
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Calabria Family Wines is toasting a ‘century in the making’ success after being named a Best in Show winner at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 for its top wine, Calabria The Iconic Grand Reserve Shiraz 2018. The wine, the only Shiraz in the world to be named Best in Show, is crafted from premium fruit sourced from 100-year-old vines on the family’s Barossa Valley ‘William’ Vineyard. Calabria’s wine was one of only two Best in Show wines from Australia. READ MORE
CALABRIA FAMILY WINES ACQUIRES AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTION OF BEST-SELLING ITALIAN BRAND, CANTI
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The deal, commencing this week, sees the family-owned winery take over the Australian import, sales, and marketing of the family-owned and operated Canti from Accolade Wines.
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As a third-generation Italian-Australian wine business, Calabria Family Wines hopes to bring Canti’s distinct Italian flair and style to the booming prosecco market in Australia.
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“This is our first shot into the distribution of wines outside of the Calabria Family Wines brand and we can’t think of a better business to be working with than Canti,” third-generation Sales & Marketing Manager
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Andrew Calabria said. READ MORE
