Tim Smith
Australia
Tim's Wines
- Australia
- 5 wines
- 1 style
A rock & roll winemaker who has made the best Shiraz in the world
- Many years ago, with fatherhood beckoning, Tim Smith said goodbye to his rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle for a steadier job. He was a lighting technician for big name bands before he saw the light (ha!) and swapped bulbs for barrels in the Barossa. It was the beginning of an epic journey that spans more than 30 years.
- Winemaking took Tim all over the world to France, Portugal and New Zealand as well as vintages at Aussie icons Yalumba, St Hallett, Tatachilla and Chateau Tanunda. And he became very good at it. In 2010, he won 'Best Shiraz in the World' at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London and brought home a suitcase of Gold Medals from the Berlin Wine Show that same year.
- But after years making wine for someone else, Tim was itching to make his own, with his name on the bottle. With the support of Angels, he now walks to the beat of his own highly successful drum. And as a thank you, he makes three very special reds - just for them. How special? Well, In 2019, he took out the Barossa Winemaker of the Year. So quite special, yes.
Tim Smith's Story
Leaving a globetrotting life as a roadie for rock bands, Tim put down roots in the Barossa to raise a family and get a ‘real job’. That turned out to be a genius move. Over the next 32 years, he made wines across the globe from France, Portugal and New Zealand, to Aussie icons Yalumba, St Hallett, Tatachilla and Chateau Tanunda.
His attention to detail is next level and you can taste the dedication, experience and talent in every single drop he produces. When Tim makes a wine, the world takes notice - in 2010 his haul of awards included 'Best Shiraz in the World' at the International Wine and Spirits Competition in London and 12 Gold Medals from the Berlin Wine Show. 2019 saw him named Barossa Winemaker of the Year by esteemed peers in the famous wine region.
But Tim likes to walk to the beat of his own drum, so he forged out on his own and started Tim Smith wines - working super long hours and doing everything in the winery himself. In 2018, Tim got Naked and finally got to talk to the people who drink his wines. “You don’t get that anywhere else. That feedback is massive!” he beams.
By 2022, he had built his own winery (4.5 stars in the Wine Companion no less), with more than a sprinkling of Angel power. And the kids that kick started his wine journey? Well they now both work in the industry too. So although Tim didn’t come from a wine legacy - he built one!