October marked 100 years of Samuel Smith & Son, which was founded by Percy and Walter Grandy Smith in Adelaide in 1923.
Fifth-generation industry member and Chair Robert Hill-Smith reflected on the milestone.
“You have always needed good luck and a friendly banker in this business. We were orchardists, wine growers, winemakers and wine merchants. During the Great Depression, dried and canned fruit provided the cash flow that enabled us to come out the other side to focus on winemaking,” he said.
“We are now wine-focused as merchants, but the likes of Dewars, Bacardi, Kahlua, White Horse and Gibleys gave us entry into the broad trade, which taught us the importance of depth and diversity in distribution to make yourselves relevant and valued partners,” he added.
Executive Director Sales – ANZ Paul Midolo spoke to Samuel Smith & Son’s success.
“Our business has seen many highs and lows over this time, and we are pleased to say we are as strong as ever, built on relationships with our loyal customers and a folio depth and breadth unmatched in the industry,” said Midolo.
“We pride ourselves on human connections, with a dedicated team of fine wine experts, who share our passion for wine and people. Our team is equipped to provide tailored and relevant solutions for each of our customers to drive value and enhance the purchase or dining experience,” he concluded.