The Taylor family’s long-standing association with the Clare Valley begins when as Sydney wine merchants, they partner with the Clare Valley Co-operative to bottle and distribute their own wines under the Chateau Clare label.

Inspired by the great producers of Bordeaux, and with a vision to craft wines that rival the best in the world, the Taylor family begin an exploration across the wine regions of Australia to find the perfect plot of land on which to establish their family estate. On July 20, 1969, their quest brought them to a site by the Wakefield River in South Australia’s Clare Valley. And on the same day that Neil Armstrong takes man’s first steps onto the moon, Bill Taylor takes his first steps on the soil that will eventually become the family estate.

The planting of Cabernet Sauvignon vines - gifted by the famous Wynn family of Coonawarra - commences on the estate in 1969. Urged on by his experience on the land as a boy, Bill Taylor Snr excavates for a dam to secure a water source and discovers tiny seahorses in the limestone bedrock. A reminder that these ancient soils once lay at the bottom of an ocean over 600 million years ago and adopted as the symbol of the family’s wine brand. Why three seahorses? To salute the three generations of Taylor family winemakers.

Construction of the new winery is completed just in time for the first vintage in 1973. The chateau-style façade of the main building is a unique feature.

The first wines are released; the 1973 Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and the 1973 Taylors Estate Shiraz (Hermitage). The Cabernet Sauvignon wins the Montgomery Trophy at the Adelaide Wine Show for Best Red Wine of the Show.

In order for the business to survive, the family bend to the will of the general public, who still prefer fortified and sweet white wines. Bill Taylor weeps as large sections of the vineyard planted to Cabernet Sauvignon are grafted over to white varieties. However, his original vision remains and they continue to craft red wines to national acclaim.

The first Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon is released (1973 vintage) along with a 1973 Hermitage (Shiraz). The Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 1973 wins gold at every national wine show entered and the Trophy for Best Red Wine at the Adelaide Wine Show.

The Wakefield Cabernet Sauvignon 1976 is awarded a trophy at the Hobart Wine Show and Wakefield are named 'Most successful exhibitor of Red Wines' at the show.

The Australian public's preference for fortified and sweet white wines means that Bill Taylor has to graft large sections of the vineyard, originally planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, over to Riesling. Furthermore, the medical establishment now claims that the histamines in red wine are damaging to the health and further grafting across to white varieties is required.

Having further negative impact on red wine sales, the medical establishment now claim the histamines in red wine are ‘damaging’, so further grafting of cabernet sauvignon over to white varieties takes place.

After an agreement with their neighbour, the Taylor family purchase an adjacent property and the vineyard expansion commences. The new acquisition is named the ‘Promised Land’.

Taylors begin exporting their wines to the UK using the brand 'Wakefield' due to international trademarks held by the Taylor family of Portugal.

The estate expands further with the purchase of another neighbouring property. This new vineyard section is named ‘Broadway’.

The estate expands significantly with the purchase of another property adjacent to the original vineyard and the estate becomes the largest continuous vineyard in Australia. The vineyard is planted to Shiraz and named ‘Loddon’.

After much negotiation, the family purchase the neighbouring historic St Andrews vineyard. They immediately set about the task of recreating history with the plan to launch a Wakefield St Andrews wine.

The winery cellars are expanded with the addition of 6 brand new vinomatic fermenters.

The first Promised Land wine is launched in 1998.

Mitchell Taylor is appointed Managing Director of Taylors Wines.

The first St Andrews wines are released in 1999.

Wakefield and a group of 11 other Clare Valley winemakers cause a global sensation when they announce that they will release their 2000 Clare Rieslings under the Stelvin screw cap.

The St Andrews Shiraz 1998 is awarded the 'Best Shiraz Overall' trophy at the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge.

Wakefield records an outstanding result at the Melbourne Wine show taking 2 trophies and 4 gold medals.

The St Andrews Cabernet 1997 and St Andrews Chardonnay 1998 are awarded the 'Best Red' and 'Best White' at the Sunday Times Wine Club Vintage Festival in the UK– this is the first time a brand has been awarded both trophies.

Mitchell Taylor proudly accepts the 'Bert Bear Trophy' for the Wakefield Estate Riesling 2001 at the Sydney Wine show.

Wakefield Wines are also named 'The Most Successful Winery' at the Sydney International Wine Competition.

The first Jaraman wines are released in 2003 and this is the first time the screw cap closure is used on a full range of premium Australian wines.

Shortly after in 2004, Wakefield Wines push the boundaries further when they are the first major Australian wine company to bottle 100% of their wines under screw cap.

Wakefield St Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2001 claims the Trophy for the 'Best Cabernet Sauvignon' and the Trophy for 'Best Single Estate Wine' at the International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Jaraman Cabernet 2002 and Jaraman Riesling 2004 both win the Best Wine Trophy in their varietal categories at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz Cabernet 2004 wins the Regional Trophy for 'Best Red Blend Under £10' at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Wakefield wins 'The Riedel Japan Award' for Best Red Winemaker Trophy at the Japan Wine Challenge.

Wakefield St Andrews Riesling 2001 wins the Trophy for Best New World Wine at the bi-annual Best of Riesling Competition in the 'spiritual home of Riesling', Germany.

Wakefield launches the new Eighty Acres range, named after the first block planted on the family estate. Adam Eggins, Chief Winemaker is named Winestate ‘Winemaker of the Year’ in 2007.

Wakefield Wines celebrate their 40th Anniversary in 2008.

Wakefield celebrate 40 years of family winemaking.

Wakefield's 100% Carbon Neutral Eighty Acres is launched. The world's first 100% Carbon Neutral wine range based on a complete lifecycle assessment compliant to the International Standard ISO14044.

Wakefield is awarded 'Best of Nation' at the San Francisco International Wine Competition. This is the second time Wakefield has won the award.

The Wakefield Estate Shiraz 2007 is awarded the Trophy for 'Best Value Dry Red Table Wine' at the Sydney International Wine Competition.

The Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann officially opens the new winery extension.

The Wakefield Eighty Acres range is awarded ‘World’s Best Green Launch’ at the Drinks Business Green Awards in the UK.

Taylors is announced the winner of the ‘Leading in Sustainability Award’ - Banksia Foundation Environmental Awards in Australia.

A ‘once in 100 years’ weather event strikes the central and east coast regions of Australia from January through to March 2011. Heavy rain fall and high temperatures create conditions that cause widespread red wine grape spoilage. Even though it potentially risks the business, the Taylor family make the critical decision to remain true to their vision and to defend their quality standards. They resolve not to craft any premium red wines from the 2011 vintage.

The Wakefield Winemaker Project wines are first released in 2011.

The Visionary Cabernet Sauvignon is first released in 2012.

Wakefield launches the world’s first bottle fermented screw cap sparkling wine in the Wakefield Estate range.

The Pioneer Shiraz is first released in 2015.

The World Association of Wine Writer & Journalists ranks Wakefield in the Top 5 Wineries of the World for the third year in a row – 2013, 2014 and 2015.

Wakefield launches a world first innovation in packaging design and wine education – its Optimum Drinking Temperature sensor on back label.

The 2013 St Andrews Shiraz becomes our most awarded wine ever, to date winning 31 Gold medals, a Trophy at Shanghai International Wine Challenge for Best Shiraz and a Trophy at China Wine and Spirits awards for Clare Valley Wine of the year.

Wakefield Wines are recognised as one of the ‘Top 5 Wineries in the world’ by the World Association of Wine Writers and Journalists for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.