Mount Pleasant embodies the essence of the Hunter Valley. Established by industry icon Maurice O’Shea in 1921, Mount Pleasant’s history is as rich as its quality. Entwined with the McWilliam’s family since 1932, Mount Pleasant was a pioneer for young table wine in its early years and has evolved into a statesman of Australian wine, renowned for its Semillon and Shiraz.
Current winemaker, Jim Chatto, carries with him a rare legacy as the fourth chief winemaker at Mount Pleasant since its inception by Maurice O’Shea. Jim knows the Hunter like the back of his hand, having completed 20 vintages in the region and picking up a swag of awards on the way, including 2009 Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year, as well a 2010 Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year finalist and a nomination for Hunter Valley Winemaker of the Year in 2014. “Mount Pleasant’s place in the story of Australian wine is significant and having had the rare privilege of tasting some great O’Shea wines, I’m aware of the gravitas the role carries and the enormous responsibility to honour the legacy of Maurice O’Shea and the individuality of each Mount Pleasant site, as well as the broader McWilliam’s brands,” says Jim.
