Salvatore Trimboli

Chief Winemaker

‘My parents instilled in me that whatever I do I should always aim to do it right and never cut corners. This has served me well in my career.’

He’s been called the ‘Grape Whisperer’, ‘the Medal-Laden Maestro’ and ‘Australia’s Mr Medals’, with more than 50 international medals and 500 Australian medals to his name, Salvatore’s commitment to crafting unique wines has seen his talents recognised internationally.

The Italian Connection

Salvatore’s Italian heritage has been a huge influence on his choice of grapes. He became the first viticulturist to invest in Italian varietals in the Griffith region in the early 2000s. The varieties thrived, and other local growers asked for his advice on establishing Italian varietals. 

Family History

OUR STORY

Family histories and the retelling of family stories can have an enormous influence on us as we grow up. And so it has been with Salvatore (Sam) Trimboli.

His Italian grandfathers grew small quantities of grapes in their hometown in Reggio, Calabria, and Salvatore’s uncle in the same town is carrying on the traditional in making wine and supplying it to friends and family. The region was very poor, becoming more so after World War Two.

Salvatore remembers the stories his late father told about the lack of work in his village. His father walked, sometimes for 24 hours, to find work in other villages.

Finally, driven by poverty and hunger, the young family emigrated from Italy to Australia in 1967. They settled in Griffith, a small town about six hours drive west of Sydney.

The town had already become a ‘little Italy’, where many residents spoke Italian, and made their own pasta, pizza, bread, salami and wine. The region was perfect for horticulture, work was available, and Salvatore’s parents eventually began working together at the local winery, Warburn Estate (formally known as Riverina Estate). 

Many years later, Salvatore joined them at the winery, working after school and on the weekends aged just 14 and then taking full time work around 16 years old. Salvatore then meet his love of his wife called Maria, two years later they decided to get married, and start a family of their own with two children, Saverio and Patricia.
During the 30 years and ongoing studies Salvatore worked very long hours as he progressed to the position of Chief Winemaker at Warburn Estate at the age of 21 years old. Hard work come with a price causing Salvatore missing out on really seeing his own children growing up and spent too little time with his wife Maria.

Salvatore remembers his father helping many immigrant families in Griffith. ‘Their struggles reminded him of growing up in a very poor town with insufficient food and clothing,’ says Salvatore. It was a lesson in kindliness and the importance of family and community which Salvatore has never forgotten and works hard to emulate through his own business.