Louisa Rose
Louisa Rose has worked for the Hill-Smith family since 1992, based at Australia’s oldest family-owned winery, Yalumba, and was appointed Head of Winemaking in 2006. She has devotedly embedded her philosophy of fine wine, innovation and sustainability within the winemaking team and broader business.
In 2023, Louisa took on a role that will arguably have a more significant impact on the future of the business than any other; as Head of Sustainability, as well as Brand Ambassador for Yalumba.
During her career as a leading South Australian winemaker, Louisa has been named a Yalumba Signatory – an honour reserved for those who have significantly enhanced their traditions and culture – and you will find her story and signature on the 2016 Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz. She was elected to serve as Chair of the Australian Wine Research Institute Board, and as the Chair of the University’s Alumni Council.
Yalumba’s reputation for being one of Australia’s most sustainable winemakers comes from six generations of long-term thinking, and the family’s commitment to generational sustainability and continuously reducing its environmental impact. Yalumba is already home to one of the largest solar systems of any Australian winery and has 43 sustainability awards to its name. Louisa brings great ambition and passion to her new role. “This is an area that is developing quickly – and we have taken the opportunity to have meaningful influence in future strategy and direction.”
One of the things Louisa has come to appreciate about her winemaking career is the variety that is naturally a part of the work. As well as offering much variation throughout each year as a vintage is grown and processed, winemaking is a global pursuit. “I can be in a vineyard, out in nature one day, and the next in one of the great cities (or restaurants!) in the world… Looking back, I realise that what I thought a career in winemaking would be was very narrow compared to what it turned out to be. The debating and public speaking, creative writing, and other electives I took ‘for fun’ have probably been just as important as the chemistry lectures.”
“I can be in a vineyard, out in nature one day, and the next in one of the great cities (or restaurants!) in the world… Looking back, I realise that what I thought a career in winemaking would be was very narrow compared to what it turned out to be."
Louisa had known she wanted to be a winemaker since her early teen years, working on her own family’s vineyard, where she developed an affinity for the industry and its lifestyle. “I enjoyed working outdoors, with nature and the seasons. At the same time, I loved science.” She combined these interests with a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science).
Some of Louisa’s strongest memories from University are “a number of great wine tastings” at Waite campus, which in the early ‘90s had recently acquired new tasting rooms. She recalls driving south from Roseworthy campus, ready to talk about the bottle she had brought along for tasting and to learn from the other students, all of whom had bottles to share. She recalls the many lessons, formal and informal, that she received from her teachers. “I remember the lecturers and other staff, who shared their passions, advice and experiences with us all. I am not sure we were as grateful at the time as we should have been… but that’s what they say about hindsight, isn’t it?”
Louisa considers herself “extremely fortunate” to have had a wonderful career and life so far. Her advice to those hoping to do the same is to “pursue a career that makes you happy and that will keep you challenged. Be open-minded about where life might take you and say yes to opportunities that arise – if someone else thinks you can do something, they are probably right. Build your networks and connections; communities are often more powerful than individuals.”
"Be open-minded about where life might take you and say yes to opportunities that arise – if someone else thinks you can do something, they are probably right."
Louisa takes her motivation from the passionate members of her Barossa community who volunteer, lobby, organise, manage and contribute to the not-for-profit causes that mean something to them. “It is infectious,” she says. “I am motivated by other people, by good causes, and trying to do the right thing. I take inspiration from the people around me: my family, teachers, colleagues and the wider community.” Louisa is the Grand Master of the philanthropic Barons of Barossa.
These days, University tasting evenings have been replaced with industry events, but Louisa still takes her own advice about community, keeping in touch with many of her cohort from Roseworthy. Many of her old classmates still work nearby in the Barossa. In 2022, Louisa helped host the “Pre ’94 Roseworthy Wine Reunion” alongside the University’s Alumni Relations team, bringing together passionate winemakers and industry experts to reminisce about their university days and the many and varied paths their wine careers have taken since.
Though it has taken her around the world, Louisa’s own journey remains firmly grounded in the wine country north of Adelaide. Today, she lives with her partner in the Eden Valley, where they farm sheep and cattle, revegetate areas of their property and have a seasonal vegetable garden. Louisa often cooks an evening meal completely from the harvest of her property, also home to a couple of very spoilt dogs.