History of the Brand
The Early Years 1877 - 1900
Recognizing Australia's great potential for winemaking, Samuel McWilliam planted his first vineyard in 1877, establishing a family tradition that lives on to this day.
Learn more about Samuel McWilliam here
Coming of Age 1901 - 1956
John James McWilliam wrote the next chapter in the family saga. Like his father, Samuel, he was a great believer in Australia's winemaking future. He explored New South Wales, eventually planting vines in the water-rich Riverina district. By 1917, he had built the family winery at Hanwood still in operation today. In the nearby Hunter Valley, McWilliam's head winemaker, Maurice O'Shea, would develop new techniques, such as bottle aging, during the coming decades that would revolutionize the industry.
Learn more about John James McWilliam here
The Vintage Years 1957 - 2000
As the century and millennium came to a close, McWilliam's under the leadership of family winemakers, such as Glen McWilliam and Doug McWilliam, focused its energies on vintage winemaking, introducing many new varietals and more carefully matching rootstock to local climate conditions. It was during these years, as well, that important vine lands throughout the Southeast were added to the family portfolio.
