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Robert Hill Smith considers one of his great strengths to be always having a ‘vision of the possible’ – an achievable dream or goal to strive for in life.
Twenty years ago, Robert Hill Smith followed his vision, when he and his brother acquired 100% ownership of the Yalumba Wine Company. In the mid-80s, the 140-year old Yalumba brand was a broad, ownership-structured company consisting of more than 30 family shareholders. Robert’s consolidation plans were initially rejected by the other shareholders, but after a short period the process was complete and Robert assumed control of Yalumba.
At the time, Yalumba concentrated principally on the Australian wine market, selling mostly fortified wines. With a canny ability to predict changes in consumer purchasing behaviour, Robert correctly predicted that evolving consumer lifestyles would result in diminished demand in fortified wines and little international interest. Robert set about restructuring Yalumba’s winemaking operations and product offering away from fortified wines, focussing on pioneering new styles from Yalumba into the United Kingdom and Europe. In the 80s, the Australian wine market in Europe was in its infancy, and Robert was one of four “insurgents” from prominent Australian wine families that effectively pioneered the way for other Australian wine brands to enter this competitive market.
Today, Yalumba has over 500 employees globally and its fine wines are sold in over 38 countries. It remains Australia’s oldest family owned winery and its position as an iconic Australian and globally recognised innovative fine winemaker is indisputable. | 
