The Stanton & Killeen Story

At Stanton & Killeen, our story is all about new beginnings, sparked by a bold leap into the unknown in 1855. When Timothy Stanton left his career as a mechanic in West Suffolk, England, and sailed to Australia in search of gold, he didn’t find his fortune in the mines—but in the vineyard. Seven generations later, the spirit of adventure still runs strong. Now, with Wendy and Natasha Killeen at the helm, we’re balancing heritage with fresh thinking, crafting wines that reflect both tradition and innovation. From the Rutherglen vineyards to your glass, every bottle tells a story—one we’re excited to share with you.

The Early Years: From Gold to Liquid Gold

Our story began when Timothy Stanton (1st Gen) arrived in Australia with dreams of striking it rich in the goldfields. Fortunately for us, he wasn’t much of a miner and soon turned his focus to a different kind of 'liquid gold'—wine. Settling in Rutherglen, North East Victoria, a region once home to over 50,000 gold miners, Timothy and his son John Lewis Stanton (2nd Gen) saw the opportunity to quench the thirst of a booming population. Together, they purchased land in 1864, establishing a vineyard and farm. By 1875, the Stanton family had made their mark as one of the early wine pioneers in the region, building their original winery using red gum and Murray Pine timber from the property.

Timothy passed away at the age of 93 in 1896, leaving behind a legacy that would span generations. His story, once bound to the search for gold, had turned into something much greater—one of perseverance, hard work, and the foundation of a winemaking dynasty that continues today.

The 1880's Boom to Post-War Growth

By the 1920s, John Richard Stanton (3rd Gen) had expanded the family business significantly, establishing the magnificent Park View vineyard. His son, John Charles Stanton, known affectionately as Jack (4th Gen), helped guide the winery through some of its most challenging and transformative times. After serving in the Australian Army during World War I, Jack returned to Rutherglen to take over the family business. He purchased land for a new venture, which his wife, Ethel, named 'Gracerray' in honour of her sister and the nearby Murray River.

Jack’s Gracerray Winery saw its first vintage in 1925, producing fortified wines that would later become the foundation of Stanton & Killeen’s reputation. His pioneering spirit shone through as he built the winery using second-hand materials and resources from the property itself—a testament to the resourcefulness needed to thrive in post-war Australia. Jack’s legacy includes the famous ‘Jack’s Block’ Shiraz and Muscat vineyards, planted in 1921, which continue to produce some of our best fruit today.

A New Partnership: Norman Killeen Joins The Family

In 1948, Jack’s daughter Joan married Norman Killeen, a young agricultural scientist with a passion for winemaking. Norman joined the family business in 1953, at a time when the future of the winery was uncertain. With the price of wool and crops sky-high, Jack and Norman nearly turned their backs on wine to focus on farming. But the 1960s brought a renewed interest in wine across Australia, and with Norman’s scientific background and Jack’s winemaking experience, Stanton & Killeen was officially born in 1967.

The 1970s were a time of growth, with new vineyards planted and the winery shifting from fortified-only production to include red table wines. Norman’s leadership, combined with the knowledge passed down through generations, ensured the winery adapted to the changing Australian wine landscape.

Modernising with the times: The 1980's and Beyond

By the mid-1980s, Stanton & Killeen was moving forward, modernising the original winery with a new cellar door designed by renowned architect John Pizzey in 1986. Jack, Norman, and Norman’s son Christopher (6th Gen) worked together, each bringing their unique strengths to the table. Jack, ever the hard worker, didn’t miss a vintage until his final years and passed away in 1989 at the impressive age of 94.

Chris Killeen took over as winemaker in 1981 and became known as ‘The Prince of Port’ for his pioneering work in Portuguese-style fortified wines. His passion for these wines saw him plant several Portuguese grape varieties in the 1990s, including Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barocca, and Touriga Nacional. Chris revolutionised the way Australia approached vintage fortified production, creating wines that were dry, fragrant, and complex. His legacy lives on through our wine, particularly ‘The Prince,’ a unique blend made in his honour.

New Iberian Varieties and a Fresh New Vision

NEW IBERIAN VARIETIES AND A FRESH VISION

In the spirit of constant reinvention, Natasha Killeen (7th Gen) introduced new Portuguese white varieties in 2015—Arinto, Alvarinho, and later, Antão Vaz. Her vision was to bring something fresh to the Rutherglen wine scene while tackling the region’s changing climate. The gamble paid off, with both the Arinto and Alvarinho receiving numerous awards and quickly becoming favourites among those seeking unique, alternative varieties.

As General Manager, Natasha has implemented Stanton & Killeen’s first sustainability plan, focusing on biodiversity, water management, and renewable energy. Under her leadership, the winery is in the process of becoming certified through Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, ensuring that we’re not only protecting the legacy of our past but also securing a brighter future for generations to come.

A Family Legacy Continues

With 150 years of winemaking behind us, Stanton & Killeen continues to evolve while staying true to our roots. Wendy and Natasha Killeen are the current custodians of this multi-generational legacy, overseeing some of our most precious wine parcels, including fortified wines dating back to the early 1960s. Together, they are committed to crafting wines that reflect the spirit of our family and the land we call home, always with an eye toward the future.

Wendy is looking forward to travelling the world once again sharing our story and finding new markets. Her ability to develop and maintain loyal relationships is a testament to her success as Brand Ambassador and Managing Director.

As we celebrate our rich history and look ahead to new opportunities, the Stanton & Killeen story remains one of passion, innovation, and resilience. Here’s to many more years of great wine, bold ideas, and honouring the pioneering spirit that started it all.