Yalumba can be proud of a history which dates back to 1849 and FDR1A is a wine of great significance to Australia's eldest family owned winery. Fine Dry Red 1A is only ever released in the finest vintage years, a no expense spared project to construct the ultimate accord in Cabernet and Shiraz, stylized by one of the nation's most eminent, baronial winemaking estates. The quality of fruit is second to none, vinification is assigned to the most accomplished masters and the quality of oak is an indulgence representing the pinnacle of the cooper's trade.

In 1974 Yalumba created an outstanding Cabernet Shiraz blend known simply as FDR1A. The wine soon became legendery, appreciated for its solid presence of fruit and controlled power. Grapes are all hand picked and crushed into eight tonnes open top fermenters. The natural, wild yeasts present on skins initiate vinification, cultured winery yeasts are added to complete the ferments. Skin management is controlled by a special Yalumba designed cap plunger, to achieve a wine with excellent depth of colour, richness and complexity. Aged sixteen months in a selection of seasoned and new French oak hogsheads and barriques, crafted by artisans at Yalumba's own cooperage.