By Andrew Starke
McWilliam’s Wines, Australia’s fourth largest bottled table wine producer by value, has announced a number of changes to its board, including the appointment of Doug McWilliam to the role of McWilliam’s Wines chairman.
The move follows the retirement of fourth generation family member Don McWilliam AM from his position as McWilliam’s Wines chairman, which he has held since 1988.
Don McWilliam, who has more than 58 years experience in the industry and who celebrated his 75th birthday earlier this year, will continue on the board as a company director.
McWilliam’s Wines was established in 1877 and has three generations – from the fourth, fifth and sixth generation – working across the business.
The transition to a chairman from a new generation follows a period of significant expansion for the winery.
Recently, under Don McWilliam’s chairmanship, the Evans & Tate and X&Y brands were welcomed to the family and a considerable investment was made in updating the company’s main winemaking base, the Hanwood Winery in Griffith, New South Wales.
“Throughout Don’s tenure we have seen a continual shift into the higher value segments of wine, building our portfolio with the right brands from the right regions. My focus will be to continue this momentum and to cement McWilliam’s Wines position as Australia’s leading family producer of premium wines,” Doug McWilliam said.
Doug McWilliam commenced full-time employment at McWilliam’s Wines in 1972 as a wine chemist/winemaker. He joined McWilliam’s Wines Board of Directors in 1983, the same year he was appointed McWilliam’s Wines Group Production Director.
With the appointment of Doug McWilliam to the Chairman role, the board has also announced the appointment of Kevin McLintock to the Board of McWilliam’s Wines in the role of Deputy Chairman.
McLintock previously held the positions of CEO (1993-2005), director and deputy chairman with McWilliam’s Wines.
He is an experienced industry executive who is currently a board member of the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.