Shinas Estate is one of the first brands that Vine Street Imports sank its teeth into.  Initially founded as a brand called ‘Shallow Creek’ by his Honor George Shinas in the near-outback like conditions of Mildura along the Murray River in the northwest region of Victoria. The first vines on the property were planted in the late 1800s and George’s family had eight generations of winemaking heritage to lean on.

George had met Ronnie Sanders and Ronnie was sold on the wines, but not the packaging, and a change was made to highlight the juris-nature of George’s story and in 2002, Shinas Estate as it is known was founded.  With a nod to George’s night-court position, the wines are all smartly named after varying legalese terms…Guilty (Shiraz), Innocent (Viognier), Verdict (Cabernet Sauvignon), Sweet Justice (Moscato) and his intense reserve wine (Executioner). The Prisoner it is not…this was the man who puts the prisoners away!!

George’s first marketing trip of many introduced the illustrious Stephen Black of Small Gully Wines into the fray and they immediately became great friends.  After more than 30 years of winemaking and overseeing the vineyard, George decided to retire in 2022 and give the brand to his great friend Stephen to continue the legacy.  Stephen had been involved in the winemaking since 2018 and now was fully vested in the future along with his kids.  The brand is now fully Barossa Valley based and labelled as such with fruit coming from single vineyards on and around the Small Gully empire.

Everyone should raise a glass to his Honor George Shinas for his persistent and effective work of building the Australian wine category in the United States at a time where the category appeared to be relegated to novelty more than permanent status.  Clearly today that is not true and certainly during the pinnacle of George’s fame.