Pioneers of the Hunter - Since 1853
Drayton's Family Wines is 100% family owned.

The Drayton's are one of the Hunter Valley's pioneering winemaking families and it is one of the few companies that is still family owned and operated.

It has been over one hundred and forty years since the first Drayton trod on rich Hunter Valley soil.

In 1853 a fine winemaking tradition began when Joseph Drayton arrived from Lincolnshire, England and now has been carried forward by five generationsof the family.

Today, Max Drayton and two of his sons - John and Greg, are in charge of the Drayton Heritage and together they ensure the Drayton reputation will be maintained and enhanced in the future.

Cellar Door Trading Hours
Monday to Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays 10am - 5pm (except Christmas Day)

The vineyards and winery are located on Oakey Creek Road, Pokolbin in the heart of New South Wales' and Australia's premier wine producing region, The Hunter Valley.

Mill Creek Vineyard nestles between Peppers Mountain and the clean waters of Mill Creek 10 kms north of Stroud in the Hunter Valley. The 5 acre vineyard sits on a perfect North facing hill on volcanic and loam soils. Here the days are warm and importantly the nights are cool. It has fully developed Shiraz and developing Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc vines producing a range of different wines.

Mill Creek Vineyard was begun in 1997 by myself (Helen Gillard) and my family Jon, Josephine and Ben Springthorpe.

Our first vintage was in 2002 and our wines have already won recognition by discerning wine lovers.

My philosophy is to grow grapes myself using meticulous canopy management and make wine as naturally as possible and only when the vintage is good using the magic of winemakers Rhys Eather (Hunter Valley) and John Cassegrain (Hastings Valley).

The gentlest and wisest hands in the land help mine pick the grapes, which are then trucked immediately to the winery where only the finest oak is subsequently used to ensure premium quality.