The History of Samuel Smith: Part 1

We do not play by the rules, and we do not sit within the ordinary.

We seek unfamiliarity – the thrill of starting something that no one has ever dared to dream. We seek the magnificent unknown.

171 years ago, an English man named Samuel Smith had a passion for embracing this magnificent unknown and ventured into the darkness. He planted his dream, nurtured and cared for it and from that, generations of greatness grew. Never would he have imagined that 171 years on, his great-great-great-granddaughter would be joining the company known as Yalumba that he began in 1849.

Now let’s go back in time to 1847.

You’re an immigrant in the small and near infant settlement of Angaston in the Barossa. You’ve just uprooted your family’s life and travelled by ship from your poverty-stricken local town of Wareham, Dorset to Angaston. The four-month journey was not fun, but you know deep down that life will be much better here. It has to be; it’s the new world, full of possibility and intrigue.

At the moment, you’re renting a 30-acre plot of land from South Australia’s pioneer, George Fife Angas. This is fine for now, but eventually, you desire land for yourself and your family. You didn’t travel to South Australia to follow in his footsteps after all.

To repay George Fife Angas, you’re working day and night tirelessly to cultivate vine cuttings in the area for him. Right now, your candle is your trusted sidekick, stuck to the front of your rusty wheelbarrow to provide light. It’s hard work, but you’re not fazed.

You’ve just managed to successfully establish several prosperous varieties - Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. You don’t know it yet, but your work will eventually spread over the district of Barossa and be the very first vineyard plantings for your soon to be company, Yalumba.

In mid-1851, there’s word of gold in New South Wales and Victoria with a promise of personal fortune. For you, this opportunity is too good to be missed. You travel to Victoria, and within four months you strike luck, returning to South Australia with £300 worth of gold.

You think about your future and your family – what is your ideal dream? What is best for your family?

You’re now the owner of 80 acres of land, two horses, a cart and plough. You’ve spent your earnings well.

You’re onto something good – next stop, stage 2.