Mary Penfold
The woman who dared to do it differently.
Co-Founder | Businesswoman
1816 to 1895
While Dr Christopher Penfold has been widely recognized, it was Mary who was the driving force behind many of the early experimentations, winemaking philosophies and growth of our vineyards. From our founding in 1844, her vision and dedication shaped the exceptional wines that define the Penfolds House Style.
A woman of remarkable tenacity, Mary Penfold (née Holt) was born in London. She married Christopher Penfold and, at 24, emigrated to Australia with their daughter. They settled on a 500-acre property in Adelaide, South Australia—now Magill Estate—where Mary cultivated wheat, barley, oats, vegetables, and a small vineyard, driven by a vision to produce medicinal tonics for her husband’s medical clinic.
Master of the Blend
Mary’s blending capabilities were legendary. Everything she knew about wine, she taught herself–insisting on having the grapes blended to her own taste. As demand grew, her business skills shone, and she took over the winery operations. By the 1860s, Mary was shipping wine to other Australian states, mainly Victoria. After Christopher’s passing in 1870, Mary expanded the cellars, working with her son-in-law Thomas Hyland and winemaker Joseph Gillard Jr and soon they were shipping internationally.
A Trailblazer in Business
Mary was a powerhouse in the industry, revered for her blending and business skills. At the height of her leadership in 1881, she had 107,000 gallons of wine in the cellar at Magill, which was just over a third of the total wine stock for South Australia at that time.
Under Mary’s helm, Penfolds gained international recognition, and in 1889, won a gold award at the Paris exhibition for our Tawny Port. In 1890, Mary won an award for ‘Best White Wine of Light Character.’ By 1894, Penfolds ‘No. 1 Claret’ and ‘Chablis’ were considered the best dry wines in Australia.
A Legacy That Endures
Many of our winemaking philosophies can be traced back to Mary—her unwavering commitment to blending, her pursuit of excellence, and her instinct for what makes a truly remarkable wine. She retired in 1884 and passed away in 1895 at 79, in the home of her daughter, Georgina Hyland. Yet her influence remains. The foundations she built continue to define Penfolds, shaping wines that honor her vision and enduring legacy.
