Raising a glass to the future of Shaw Estate

Posted on 26 September, 2024

Award-winning wines, carefully curated experiences, and a rich history – Shaw has long enjoyed a reputation as a leading winery in the Canberra wine region.

But with the announcement that ownership of the winery has been transferred to the DOMA Group, we’re raising a glass to its future. Because it’s looking luxe.

Now known as Shaw Estate, the vineyard has long been a stalwart of the Canberra wine district, and the transfer – which was effective from July 2024 – sees the local developer begin to breathe new life into the cellar door.

With interests spanning the property, hotel, and food and beverage spheres, it’s the perfect pairing (pun intended). And with future development plans including a new wedding venue and a new dining experience, the quality and excellence that have long been synonymous with the winery will not only remain but be amplified.

Current Director of Shaw Wines, Evelyn Everson, has been with the Shaw family since the early 2000s, watching the business evolve and grow for decades. She says that the transfer of ownership marks an exciting time for both the winery and the picturesque region it calls home.

“I’m very passionate about this patch of the world called Murrumbateman and the Canberra wine region. For me, it shows a lot of confidence in this district and in this wine industry that DOMA Group has come into the business,” says Evelyn.

“They’re maintaining the Shaw legacy, and they want to take the estate to the next level by turning it into a major hospitality and tourism destination.”

The first step in levelling up an already iconic hospitality destination? In a major move, DOMA Group has brought on Canberra hospitality king Frank Condi. The owner of Edgar’s, The Inn, Mama Dough, Wakefield’s Bar & Wine in Ainslie, and previously of Public in Manuka, Frank is bringing his culinary cleverness to Shaw Wines as DOMA’s Director of Restaurants and Bars.

“It’s very different. I’ve done everything from nightclubs like Academy and Mr Wolf to Shorties, Public and Edgar’s. There’s a good appetite to drive hospitality in this corporate, commercial hotel sector and that’s what excited me,” says Frank.

“Being able to bring hospitality and drive it into that bigger footprint and drive that hospitality and service element.”

Moving the current restaurant, Olleyville, and transforming the building into a function facility for events, the new restaurant will be opening in the summer of 2025 as a part of the cellar door.

Along with offering memorable seated tasting experiences at its cellar door – highlighting everything from crisp whites to elegant reds, as well as limited-release and reserve wines – the new Shaw Estate restaurant will treat tastebuds to dishes by DOMA Culinary Director Ben Willis that hero local produce.

“We want it to be very approachable, we don’t want to make it exclusive. It’s only 15 minutes from Gungahlin so we want people to travel out there with their family on the weekend,” says Frank.

“It’s going to be something that will try to appeal to the majority but also has a sense of elegance to it, that real ‘estate’ sort of feel.”

Also planning on opening themselves up to collaborating with other local winemakers and cellar doors, the concept is to turn Shaw Estate into a sophisticated dining destination that’s not just reserved for special occasions.

“We want to elevate the premises and create an environment where people can go, dine, and taste wine without having to travel too far,” says Frank.

“You’ve got this beautiful building, lots of nice landscape…It’s just so close to where we are and people just don’t realise that we’ve got it on our doorstep.”

It’s worth noting that it’s not just the restaurant that’s getting a refresh.

Long-term plans also include landscaping the estate to add a small lake (which will also have a water feature) so visitors will soon be able to sip award-winning wines, lakeside. And honestly? With warmer weather approaching, it sounds like heaven.

And while there’s plenty planned for the future, Shaw Estate will also be keeping with the ethos that’s made it so admired for decades – using their wine to fill the cups of other local businesses.

“I love the industry, I love the region…this is a significant investment for the region and it will drive growth,’ says Evelyn.

“If we have 150 people here on a busy Saturday, they don’t just come to us. They go to the region…we are a community. We are a community of businesses and wineries, and we all work together. The DOMA investment will benefit us all.”

We’ll raise a glass to that – preferably one topped with Shaw Estate NV Prosecco.

For more information about Shaw Estate, visit shawestate.com.au