Tucked into the heart of Tasmania’s Midlands, Winton Estate unfolds across 3,300 hectares of fertile countryside near Campbell Town. It is where history, heritage, and innovation meet—presided over by seven generations of the Taylor family, safeguarding one of the world’s most extraordinary fine‑wool legacies.
A Scottish Beginning
The story begins in 1823, when George and Mary Taylor emigrated from Scotland to Van Diemen’s Land. Their son David carved out the Winton station in 1832, and in 1835 he proudly established Australia’s very first registered Merino stud: the Winton Saxon Merino flock.
Saxon Roots: The Forlong Legacy
Parallel to that, Eliza Forlong—also a Scottish émigré—braved Saxony’s landscape in the 1820s to hand‑select Saxon merinos. Her flock became the foundational genetic bedrock of the Tasmanian fine-wool industry. In 1844, a pivotal transaction transferred 4,000 of these prized merinos to the Taylors, weaving Forlong’s legacy directly into the fabric of Winton’s future.
Sharing Excellence
Through the generations, Winton’s Merinos have been celebrated—both in Australia and internationally—for the purity, softness, and refinement of their wool. Rams like Magician II, sold for hundreds of guineas, and Pioneer, which fetched 900 guineas, became industry legends.
Heritage Meets Innovation
In 2014, Winton diversified with the establishment of the Poll Merino Stud (Flock No. 1564), registered in 2017. By selecting poll genetics from high‑performing Australian studs, the Taylor family embraced both tradition and modernity—preserving Saxon purity while investing in productivity and contemporary breeding traits. The resulting Poll wool, branded as JTW, is tailored to meet the demands of spinning innovations, like those employed by Waverley Woollen for softness and colour.
Sustainably Rooted
Long committed to responsible farming, Winton has enhanced its landscape with native plantings, riparian protection, and thoughtfully designed biodiversity corridors. These efforts preserve ecological integrity while supporting outstanding wool quality.
Recent Accolades
In 2023, Winton’s dual devotion to heritage and sustainability was officially recognised when it received the Vitale Barberis Canonico Wool Excellence Award. John Taylor Jr. and Vera Taylor accepted the honour—affirming Winton’s place in the global superfine wool arena.
From Saxony to Tasmania, from the courage of pioneers to the innovation of a modern wool enterprise, Winton Estate endures as a paragon of tradition, quality, and environmental responsibility. Their 18-micron JTW wool—for Waverley Mills and Fiona Lynch’s Larapinta‑inspired collection—is more than yarn; it’s a story spun in softness, strength, and sustainable excellence.
