Cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW already had unbeatable experience when they founded Shaw & Smith as a virtual winery in 1989. The brand was firmly established as a leading producer of sauvignon blanc by the time they acquired a 42-ha property at Woodside, known as the M3 Vineyard, as it is owned by Michael and Matthew Hill Smith and Martin Shaw. It produces the grapes for the M3 Chardonnay, and the most important part of the Sauvignon Blanc. In 1999 Martin and Michael purchased the 36-ha Balhannah property, building the superbly designed winery in 2000 and planting more sauvignon blanc, shiraz, pinot noir and riesling. It is here that visitors can taste the wines in appropriately beautiful surroundings. JAMES HALLIDAY, The Australian Wine Companion 2011