The Hunter Valley in New South Wales was established as a wine region in the early 1820s, following the rapid growth of agricultural and pastoral activities after the arrival of free settlers.

Further impetus was added by the advent of amateur viticulturalist James Busby who, returning from the second of two extensive study tours of the winegrowing regions of Europe, arrived back in New South Wales with a named collection of some 500 vine cuttings.

Today, the Hunter Valley is widely regarded as the home of Semillon, and McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant as the producer of some of Australia’s best wines from the variety, including McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Lovedale Semillon.

McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant Estate – nestled in the slopes of the Brokenback Range in the Hunter Valley – was established in 1921 by legendary winemaker, the late Maurice O’Shea.

O’Shea then progressively extended the estate to include the Old Paddock Vineyard in the 1920s.

The Griffith-based McWilliam family, already a famous Australian wine company, purchased a half share of Mount Pleasant Estate and encouraged O’Shea to continue with his winemaking style and creations. McWilliam’s acquired the remaining share in 1941.

It was with the McWilliam family’s financial backing O’Shea selected and purchased the Lovedale and Rosehill properties and planted them in 1946.

O’Shea died of lung cancer in 1956, at age 59. Since his death, McWilliam’s Mount Pleasant has only ever had two other Chief Winemakers: Brian Walsh (1956-78) and Phil Ryan (1978-current), ensuring consistency and quality.