After 25 years as managing director of Taylors Wines, Mitchell Taylor will become chairman of the board, with John Freeman appointed as the new CEO.
Taylors chairman David Ansell says the transition aligns with the company’s long-term succession plan.
He acknowledged Mitchell’s significant contribution to the company and the Australian wine industry.
“Mitchell’s knowledge and experience within Taylors and the Australian wine industry is second to none,” Mr Ansell says.
“In his new role as chair, he will provide the continuity and insight we need to unlock the next chapter of this Australian success story.”
Mitchell Taylor said Taylors Wines was ideally positioned to grow its business in Australia and across the world.
“I am proud of our achievements over many years, particularly the premiumisation of our family brand with the St Andrews and Jaraman ranges, as well as our pinnacle wines, The Visionary, The Pioneer, and The Legacy,” Mr Taylor says.
“It has been our ambition to elevate the quality of Taylors Wines with our skilled viticulture and winemaking teams, resulting in major awards globally and making us the third-largest and number one family brand by value in the Australian wine market.
“It has been a privilege and honour to lead our family business through great change and growth over many years.
“I will shift my focus and energy to family business ownership, overall strategy, vision and succession planning for Taylors, while mentoring the next generation of leaders within the business.”
Mr Taylor says that John Freeman brings years of experience in wine industry leadership and working in family-owned wine businesses, having recently spent 16 years with Delegat Group in New Zealand and Australia.
“He has a strong track record in delivering growth, knows what it takes to compete successfully and consistently, and is well-positioned to drive Taylors Wines’ next stage of development,” Mr Taylor says.
Mr Freeman ays he is excited about the opportunity to join Taylors Wines.
“There is enormous potential to build on this legacy, expand our market presence, and accelerate our growth agenda,” he says.
“I look forward to working closely with Mitchell, the Taylor family, the board, and the entire team to continue delivering exceptional wines to consumers around the world”.
Mr Taylor says, “I want to thank David and the board for their guidance and support over the past years, and I look forward to working with John and the executive team to accelerate our growth while staying true to the family values this business has been built on.”
Taylors Wines was founded in 1969 by Bill Taylor Snr. and his sons, Bill and John.
Wine merchants at the time, they set out to bring to life their passion for famous French clarets and established a promising site in South Australia’s Clare Valley near the Wakefield River.
Taylors Wines continues as a family-owned and operated wine company, with the third generation at the helm and is a founding member of Australia’s First Families of Wine.
The winery has won almost 10,000 medals and trophies at wine shows worldwide.
The Taylor family is committed to functioning responsibly and sustainably, nurturing both land and sea.
In 2021, Taylors was the first independent Australian winery to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative with a target to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 50 percent by the year 2030.
Photo: Mitchell Taylor with John Freeman.
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