1830
Samuel McWilliam is born in Raloo, Northern Ireland.
1857
Samuel McWilliam arrives in Melbourne aboard the “Morning Light”.
1868
John James (J.J.) McWilliam is born.
1877
Samuel McWilliam plants his first vines on the outskirts of Corowa, NSW.
1902
Samuel McWilliam passes away and his daughters purchase Sunnyside Vineyard.
1913
J.J. McWilliam carts 50,000 vines to the Riverina, pioneering the wine industry in the region. He plants them in a nursery and waters the vines from water sourced elsewhere until irrigation arrives the following year.
1917
J.J. McWilliam opens the Hanwood Estate winery.
1935
The first McWilliam’s wines are exported internationally.
1941
The McWilliam family acquire Mount Pleasant estate in the Hunter Valley. THE Legendary Maurice O’Shea, who was retained as Chief Winemaker, went on to make some of Australia’s greatest wines.
1960
McWilliam’s release their first varietal table wines to accommodate Australian’s growing appreciation of premium table wines. Previously, the nation was very much driven by spirits and fortified wines.
1973
A new Cellar Door at Hanwood Estate is opened. The building, which is shaped to the precise scale of a wine barrel, was designed by Glen McWilliam. The Cellar Door remains at the site today.
1977
McWilliam’s Family Winemakers celebrate their centenary. This marks the 100 year anniversary of when Samuel McWilliam planted his first vines on the outskirts of Corowa, NSW.
1986
Jim Brayne is appointed McWilliam’s Chief Winemaker.
2004
The demand for McWilliam’s wines in Australia and across the globe continues to grow, with 500,000 cases of McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate wines sold.
2010
Wine & Spirits survey names McWilliam’s Hanwood Estate as the number one Australian wine brand in restaurants across the United States of America.
2012
McWilliam’s is awarded Most Successful Exhibitor at the Sydney Royal Wine Show for an unprecedented 18th consecutive year.
2016
Jeff McWilliam, fifth generation, is appointed Chief Executive Officer.
2016
McWilliam’s 1877 Hilltops Shiraz awarded Best Australian Shiraz at the International Wine Challenge.
2017
McWilliam’s Wines celebrates 140 years since Founder Samuel McWilliam’s planted his first vines on the outskirts of Corowa, NSW.
2021
Calabria Family Wines purchases McWilliam's Family Wines. Andrew Calabria and Scott McWilliam (pictured) work together to strengthen the two family brands.
