James (Jim) Williams, a former Director of Penfolds, with some 30 years experience in the Australian Wine Industry and the Liquor Industry in general, is recognized internationally as an authority on the production and marketing of ‘Fine Wine’.

Jim went to Penfolds in 1979 from his position as General Manager of Reynella wines located in the McLaren Vale, south of Adelaide. He has always had a close association and friendship with the winemakers he has worked with and in particular, Max Schubert, the creator of Penfolds Grange. Huon Hooke notes in his Max Schubert biography:

The two became friends and confidants. They had lunch together regularly and drank some of the great old Penfolds reds

It was Jim who took Max on his first visit to the USA in October, 1987 to take part in the New York Wine Experience. They showed the 1971 vintage Grange very much to the astonishment of other exhibitors and patrons. It was a brilliant success.

Jim, encouraged by Max to do so, developed his own family wines back in 1993 and formed the family company, Williams Wines.

Today, through interlocking shareholding, long term contracts, and personal relationships developed over many years, Williams Wines are able to source their material across a broad range of premium viticulture areas in Australia including: Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Clare, Coonawarra, Margaret River Mudgee and the Cowra districts. The first of the product range was Williams’ Blend Shiraz Cabernet which won Gold in the Brisbane Show.

The second, a Merlot, won Gold and Trophy and was in the taste off for the Jimmy Watson Trophy. Then in 2000 the Williams’ Blend Merlot won the inaugural Trophy for the best Merlot of the Sydney Royal Wine Show – Top Gold and Trophy. Successive wines have been award winners. The range has been extended to include Williams’ Regional Reserve, Williams’ Private Reserve and Bareback.

With the success of Williams’ Blend we now also offer extremely affordable wines, beautifully balanced of outstanding value, which give great enjoyment to satisfy the most discerning palate. We look forward to you sampling our Williams family wines.