Yalumba has announced that the 2022 vintage of its iconic The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz will honour Paul Midolo, former Executive Director of Sales Australia & New Zealand, as its 51st vintage signatory.
The announcement was made by fifth-generation proprietor Robert Hill-Smith during Yalumba’s annual Christmas party on the winery’s Signature lawns in December, coinciding with Midolo’s retirement.
“This year, the decision was easy. We are going to honour Paul Midolo.”
Robert Hill-Smith
The Signature, first released in 1962, pays tribute each year to a figure who has made a lasting impact on the family-owned winery. Each label bears the story and signature of its namesake, celebrating their contribution to the Yalumba legacy.
“Paul started 29 years ago with us in Queensland as an Area Manager, and within six months, he was invited to become a Sales Manager,” said Hill-Smith.
“Paul has held a variety of key roles in Australian distribution, building a distinguished career that will be fully documented in time.
“His impact has been immense, and his departure sees a significant amount of humour and wisdom leave our company. He will be deeply missed.”
Midolo, who joined Yalumba in October 1995, has led sales across multiple states including Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, and Victoria, earning a reputation for his leadership and approachability.
“Paul’s ability to build strong relationships across the business with our sales teams, our principal partners, and customers is a testament to him as a person,” Hill-Smith said.
Midolo said he was humbled by the recognition and reflected warmly on his three-decade journey with the business.
“It has been a great, fun journey,” he said. “The biggest thing I will miss is the people, the interaction, the support. They have made my journey enjoyable. We have a brighter future from the interactions we have had.”
As Midolo steps down, Ty Menzies has been appointed as the new Executive Director of Sales for Australia & New Zealand for Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia. Bringing more than 23 years of experience within the business, Menzies most recently served as General Manager of Independent Retail Groups and officially stepped into the new role on 23 December 2024.
Karl Martin, CEO of Hill-Smith Family Estates, said Menzies’ customer-first mindset and deep industry knowledge will play a critical role in building on Midolo’s legacy and sustaining sales momentum across the business.
The 2022 vintage, set for release on 1 May 2025, has been described as a classic Signature expression. Yalumba Senior Red Winemaker Kevin Glastonbury said the season delivered ideal conditions.
“The 2022 vintage presented cool and mild conditions, allowing the grapes to achieve their full potential, producing a wine of precision and generosity,” Glastonbury said.
“It is very much in keeping with The Signature style that wine connoisseurs have come to know and expect.”
He described the wine as having “an inviting appeal with red berry, liquorice cassis and black cherry aromatics,” adding that it is “round and fleshy with super concentration and a flow of fine yet firm tannin that offers the texture and structure for time in the cellar”.
“Composed like a symphony, pitch-perfect, regal and resplendent.”
Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2022 will be available nationally from May, with an RRP of $74. The wine is suitable for decanting now or cellaring for 15+ years.
