Tim was born in 1961, fortuitously the vintage of the century world wide, in Adelaide but was when he landed a vintage job at Yalumba in 1989 that a completely unexpected career path in wine opened to him.
While working full time as a cellar hand, he completed a B. App. Science. (Wine Science) at Charles Darwin University NSW. In 2001, he was selected for the Rhone Exchange program by Barossa winemakers and began Tim Smith Wines the same year.

Tim lists many highlights in his overnight success of just 37 years, including being names the 2019 Barons of Barossa winemaker of the year, 2001 Barossa / Rhone Valley Winemakers scholarship winner, establishing his own wine business, selling wine into 8 countries, building his bespoke winery in Vine Vale and establishing the Vine Vale Winemakers Shed Day.

His dedication to the Barossa Wine Show saw him a committee member, judge, steward and glass washer for more than a decade. He is a regular contributor to The Wine Show on BBB local radio, founding member of The Valley Cats, Barossa's pre-eminent party band, bowling 5 'pudels' on debut at the Tanunda Kegel Club (if you know, you know).

Most of all, Tim is proud to be part of this community that has allowed a working-class boy from the Western suburbs of Adelaide to gain an education, establish a career path, build a business and now watch his own next generation become as much, if not more, a part of this community through their tireless volunteer work.

Tim feels his acknowledgement of his immediate family and partner Amanda for putting up with him being absent either physically or mentally in this time-consuming business are long overdue.