CALABRIA FAMILY WINES’ CELEBRATES 80 YEARS OF WINEMAKING, FAMILY & VISION
Sydney/ Posted 29 October,2025 by Editor Axel Ritenis who attended the 80th Anniversary Event
● Calabria Family Wines celebrates 80 years of winemaking, honouring four generations of family legacy, innovation, and resilience since 1945.
● The business continues to evolve with premium Barossa Valley vineyard holdings and wines, sustainable viticulture, and a strong commitment to community through the Bill Calabria Foundation.
● To mark the milestone, the family has launched a commemorative digital story, featuring Bill Calabria and his granddaughter Sophie, sharing their journey. Watch the video.
Calabria Family
From humble beginnings in Griffith, NSW, the Calabria family marks 80 years of winemaking, a milestone that honours four generations of passion, resilience, and innovation.
What began in 1945 with Francesco and Elisabetta Calabria’s dream has grown into one of Australia’s leading family-owned wine businesses, with a legacy rooted in tradition and a future shaped by innovation.
Bill Calabria AM
Bill Calabria AM, second-generation and Director, reflects on the journey:
“We’ve come a long way from my parents’ backyard winery. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to quality, our love for the land, curiosity, and the belief that wine brings people together. That’s what drives us forward.”
The Calabria story is one of grit, growth, and generational legacy. From hand-crushed grapes in the 1940s to state-of-the-art facilities today, with third and fourth generations now actively involved, the business continues to evolve while staying true to its founding values of integrity, hospitality, and craftsmanship.
Calabria Richland and Three Bridges ranges remain household favourites, while new innovative brands like Calabria BELENA reflect the family’s ongoing commitment to relevance in a changing market. Premium wines such as Iconic and Saint Petri allow the winemaking team to work with exceptional parcels of fruit
from the family’s three vineyards in the Barossa Valley, land proudly acquired over the past decade.
As Calabria Family Wines celebrates its 80th anniversary, the focus remains firmly on the future. With new product development and a growing digital presence, the business is poised for its next chapter. They are embracing the future with a focus on innovation, community, and thoughtful stewardship. The family’s commitment to mentoring emerging talent and supporting national charities through the Bill Calabria Foundation reflects its enduring values of collaboration and giving back.
Chief Winemaker, Emma Norbiato centre with family members Elizabeth Calabria-Staltare and Andrew Calbaria with 80 Year Anniversary Durif
Andrew Calabria, third-generation Sales & Marketing Director, notes:
“We’re not just making wine, we’re building something that lasts. That means listening to our customers, investing in our people, and protecting the land that gives us so much.”
To mark this milestone, the family has launched a commemorative digital story that captures the heart of their journey, narrated by Bill Calabria and his eldest granddaughter, Sophie. This feature offers a personal reflection on the legacy built over four generations. The celebration also included the unveiling of an
exclusive Calabria 80th Anniversary Limited Edition Durif VP wine at the launch dinner held at Celebrity Chef Neil Parry’s Gran Torino on October 28.
“We’re proud of our history, and reaching 80 years is a significant milestone; it definitely is a time to reflect,” says Bill Calabria. “Having Sophie retell our story makes it even more special.But we’re not just looking back; we’re firmly focused on the road ahead. Calabria Family Wines is here for the long haul.”
Watch our anniversary digital story celebrating eight decades of family, resilience, and winemaking excellence.
View it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAG_skRFe2U
About Calabria Family Wines
Founded in 1945 in Griffith, NSW, Calabria Family Wines is a family-owned business with over 150employees across Australia. In addition to its Riverina origins, the family proudly owns and operates three premium vineyard sites in the Barossa Valley, further strengthening its commitment to winemaking excellence. Calabria manages a portfolio of more than 20 brands, including Richland, Three Bridges,BELENA, Elisabetta, and Saint Petri. Its wines are exported to over 40 countries and have received numerous accolades, including ‘Best Sweet Wine of the Year’ in the Halliday Wine Companion 2025,alongside multiple trophies and gold medals at national and international wine shows. The company is dedicated to sustainability, innovation, and community impact through initiatives like the Bill Calabria Foundation.
For more information about Calabria Family Wines:
www.calabriawines.com.au
www.facebook.com/calabriawines
@CalabriaFamilyWines
#Calabriais80
