John Campbell sails for Australia from St Andrews, Scotland on the "Merchant Prince" - later to become the name for the family's most prestigious Muscat.

1860
John arrives at Rutherglen to dig for gold - eventually finding himself on the rich Bobbie Burns lead to the west of the township.

1868
John selects 79 acres of land adjoining the Bobbie Burns lead, and plants a small area of vines.

1870
Campbells Wines is established - with John Campbells first vintage.

1885
The Bobbie Burns Homestead is built to replace John's first timber slab and shingle roof home, erected in 1869. The Homestead still stands beside the winery
The first cellar is built - a 45 feet by 25 feet timber beamed structure
The Bobbie Burns Vineyard of Shiraz, Pedro Ximenez, Malbec, Riesling and Brown Muscat has grown to 38 acres - a small part of Rutherglen's 3273 acres of vines. Phylloxera is now evident in the Rutherglen vineyards .

1891
Campbells win their first prize for wine.

1893
Campbells win the top prize for 2 year old dry red at Rutherglen, and the Prize for "Best Riesling, sweet and full bodied, 2 years and over."

1898
Phylloxera, a root sucking aphid, is confirmed in the Bobbie Burns Vineyard - beginning a slow decline in its production.

1909

John Campbell dies - leaving the vineyard of 87 acres in serious decline. His son David and David's wife Isabella (the namesake of the family's most famous Rutherglen Tokay), take over - beginning a 20 year task of replanting 45 acres of the Bobbie Burns Vineyard with American phylloxera resistant rootstocks and the rebuilding of the wine stocks. The cellar capacity is 11,750 gallons (52,000 litres).

1931
Tragedy strikes when David Campbell’s eyesight fails. His 15 year old son Allen is called in to assist, in the midst of the Depression.
Sheep are introduced to generate income at a time of negligible wine sales.

1933
David Campbell dies at the age of 58 - leaving the heavily mortgaged Bobbie Burns vineyard in the hands of 18 year old Allen, who is determined to hold on in the face of an uncertain future, with 3,350 gallons(15,000 litres) of "valueless wine" in the winery.

1940
Allen marries Isabel Diffey (today's Mrs Campbell Snr) and together they diversify the business in an effort to save the property. They sell small lots of wine to private customers for 'rail delivery'

1943
A steady programme of expansion begins with 39 acres nearby purchased including 10 acres of vines.

1948
A further 24 acres adjacent to the Bobbie Burns Vineyard are purchased from local vigneron, John Stanton.

1952
The adjoining Silverburn property is purchased - eventually being replanted to vines and producing a string of highly successful white wines, including the dry white blend which takes the Silverburn vineyard’s name.

1960
200 acres of land is purchased from Graham Bros - part of what was once Rutherglen's largest wine estate. The availability of irrigation will make this vineyard a centrepiece of Campbells future expansion.

1961
Allen Campbell becomes ill. Malcolm Campbell returns home after his final year at Scotch College to assist in the running of the vineyard and the farming property.

1965
140 acres is purchased from Birts, close to the Graham Bros block. An area is still planted to vines - a patch of venerable Pedro Ximenez bush vines which today are well over 80 years old.

1967
The first Rutherglen Wine Festival was held.

1968
Colin Campbell returns to Rutherglen - having completed a Diploma of Agriculture at Dookie and a Diploma of Oenology at Roseworthy, South Australia.
Campbells begin to sell their first labelled wine in bottles, including the first Pedro Ximenez under the Chablis label.

1969
Campbells pioneer cooling methods in the Rutherglen region - beginning a new age for white wines in the district. This innovation will prove the region capable of producing white wines of flavour and finesse previously unimaginable. Campbells quickly establish a reputation as the leading white wine producer of Rutherglen.

1969
A massive replanting programme begins - converting the vineyards to a 4 foot "T" trellis for better air circulation, disease control and ease of picking. 15 acres of new vineyard is added.

1970
Bobbie Burns Shiraz is launched

1971
Trebbiano is voted Best District Dry White.

1972
The Trebbiano again wins Best District Dry White at the Rutherglen Show, and backs up with a silver medal at the Adelaide Wine Show.
Cellar Door Sales enters a new era with the construction of a new sales and tasting room integrated with the winery to encourage visitors to walk throughout the winery and see how wine is made.

1973
A new Fermenting House is added.

1974
Allen Campbell dies - his expansion programme not yet complete. However the programme continues unabated - with a warehouse built at the winery and a spray irrigation system installed in the vineyards.
Campbells show success continues in Melbourne, with 3 Silver and 8 Bronze Medals, and a Gold for Vintage port.

1976
A red wine breakthrough - the 1976 Cabernet Malbec wins a Trophy and 2 Gold Medals at the Adelaide Wine Show.

1977
The 1974 Chablis is voted Best Commercial Dry White of the year by Wine and Spirit Buying Guide Magazine.

1978
The Chablis continues on its winning way, with more Gold Medals. The fortifieds are also making waves - the 1978 Vintage Port taking the trophy at Rutherglen, with their Tokay and Collectors Muscat voted in the Top 10 Fortified Wines by the Wine and Spirit Buying Guide.

1979
Rhine Riesling is once again vintaged as an individual bottling.

1980
The Rhine Riesling wins the HG Brown Trophy at the Rutherglen Wine Show, for Best District Dry White. It also then takes the trophy at the Royal Melbourne Show for the Best Victorian White wine. Overall Campbells win 5 gold medals for white wines giving them the most white wine Gold medals of any competitor at the Royal Melbourne Show.

1981
A mechanical harvester is purchased and picks its first crop.
The first vintage of Dry Graves - later to become Silverburn.
Prue and Colin Campbell travel to California on a study tour and to establish an agent there.
Campbells are the most successful exhibitor of Victorian white wines at the Royal Melbourne Show - including the ACI Trophy for best Rhine Riesling. A golden patch for Campbells, with 2 Trophies, 16 Gold, 21 Silver and 27 Bronze Medals at Rutherglen and Melbourne over only two years — the 1980 Rhine Riesling winning Best Victorian Dry White two years running.
In June Sunday trading commences at Cellar Door.

1982
The first export order - for shipment to San Francisco.
The Rhine Riesling wins the Trophy in Melbourne again - the Best Victorian Dry White for 3 years running.

1983
Merchant Prince Muscat is launched - winning Gold in the Open Muscat classes at Rutherglen; Top Muscat and Best Victorian Wine in Winestate Magazine.
Malcolm Campbell embarks on a six week study tour of European vineyards.

1986
The year of the Muscat. An exceptional vintage for Muscat, with baume readings up to 29 degrees. Campbells clinch the Best Current Vintage Muscat Trophy at Rutherglen; the Best Victorian Fortified Wine for Old Rutherglen Muscat in the Inaugural Herald Victorian Wine Awards; and ship Muscat in stoneware pots to Japan.

1987
Colin Campbell travels to Portugal to study the production of Port and cork manufacture.

1988
The first Tastes of Rutherglen is held.
Cellar Door extensions are complete, including the Allen Campbell Room - creating an 'open winery' where visitors can easily view all stages of wine production.
The Centenary Rutherglen Wine Show - where the 1988 Rhine Riesling wins the Trophy for Best District Dry White and Gold in the Open Classes.
The Liqueur Muscat wins a Silver Medal in the International Wine Challenge in London.

1989
Bobbie Burns Shiraz 20th Anniversary - Retrospective Tastings around Australia.
Andrew Campbell, son of Malcolm and Jenny, returns home to manage the Campbell farming operations.

1990
Isabella Tokay is launched, and the 1989 Limited Release Chardonnay wins the trophy for Best District Dry White at Rutherglen - the first of five consecutive trophies for Campbells Limited Release Chardonnay.
Colin Campbell initiates an ambitious series of open fermentation trials - seeking to combine the best aspects of traditional red winemaking with modern fermentation technology.

1991
Empire Port is reintroduced to Campbells wine range.
A non cultivation system is introduced into the vineyard.
1991 Limited Release Chardonnay wins the Best District Dry White Trophy at the Rutherglen Show.

1992
A new tank press is installed in the winery - designed to capture more delicate fruit flavour in the wines. The inaugural Vintage Dinner is held and Campbells hold their first Spring Picnic - a showcase for regional produce.

1993
Campbells win 3 of the 4 District Trophies at the Rutherglen Wine Show - Best White (1992 Limited Release Chardonnay), Best Red (1992 Cabernets) and Best North East White (1992 Rhine Riesling).
Malcolm and Jenny Campbell take a study tour of the New Zealand vineyards.
Geneva Double Curtain trellising trials are introduced into the vineyards.
1991 Bobbie Burns Shiraz is selected in the Australian Dozen.

1994
The 1992 Bobbie Burns Shiraz wins a coveted Gold Medal at the International Wine Challenge in London - resulting in a 1000 case shipment to the United Kingdom.
Scott Henry trellis trials are introduced into the vineyards.
Colin and Prue Campbell launch Bobbie Burns Shiraz in the UK and conduct retrospective tastings in London and Edinburgh

1995
Campbells celebrate 125 Years of continuous winemaking at Rutherglen.
A Dinner is held in the winery for industry leaders and associates with guest of honour, the Premier of Victoria,
Extensive improvements are made to the Fermentation Cellar including a new crusher.
A 12ha (30 acre) extension to the family vineyards is commenced.
The Barkly Durif is launched setting a new benchmark for durif from Rutherglen.

1993
Bobbie Burns Shiraz awarded a 5 star rating in Epicure Uncorked.
Merchant Prince is awarded Best Muscat in Winestate Magazine.
The Limited Release Chardonnay wins the Best District Dry White Trophy at the Rutherglen Show.
The Governor of Victoria names the Allen Campbell Room.
Colin and Malcolm are honoured by the Victorian Wine Industry Association with a "Distinguished Service Award" for outstanding service to the development of the Victorian Wine Industry.
Allens is released as a tribute to Allen Campbell in Campbells 125^th year.

1996
1994 Bobbie Burns Shiraz is in the Top 50 of the Qantas Australian Gourmet Traveller Great Australian Shiraz Challenge
Malcolm and Jenny Campbell take a study tour of the vineyards and wines of Chile and Argentina.
Exporting to Singapore commences.
The first vintage of Shiraz Durif Cabernet

1997
1995 Bobbie Burns Shiraz wins a Silver medal at the International Wine Challenge in London.
Campbells Cellar Club commences.
Campbells once again export to the US.
The Rutherglen Wine Region is registered.

1998
First annual Burns Day celebrations are held for the release of the new vintage of Bobbie Burns Shiraz.
Isabella Rare Rutherglen Tokay wins Best Fortified Wine in Epicure Uncorked
The Muscat of Rutherglen Network, chaired by Colin Campbell, sets the classification system for Rutherglen Muscat and Rutherglen Tokay.
Colin and Prue Campbell launch the Muscat of Rutherglen Network and the classification system at a tasting for key industry personnel and the press at Australia House in London.

1999
The 30th consecutive vintage of Bobbie Burns Shiraz Jane Campbell, daughter of Prue and Colin, commences as Cellar Door Manager.
Malcolm and his son Andrew Campbell study drip irrigation methods in Israel and the US prior to converting the spray irrigated vineyards to drip.
1997 Bobbie Burns Shiraz and Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat win Gold Medals at the International Wine Challenge in London.
Andrew Campbell (son of Malcolm and Jenny) dies as a result of a car accident.
A new, state of the art replacement grape picking machine is purchased.

2000
Campbells celebrate 130 years of continuous winemaking at their Rutherglen winery and vineyards.
The Bobbie Burns and Silverburn vineyards are converted from spray to drip irrigation.
Robert Parker the world’s most influential wine critic, rates Merchant Prince, Rare Rutherglen Muscat 95/100 and Isabella, Rare Rutherglen Tokay 97/100.
Colin Campbell conducts muscat blending exercises in the UK and visits Ireland regarding export opportunities.
Walkabout renames the barrel race as the Andrew Campbell Memorial Barrel Race in honour of Andrew — a multiple winner.
The Limited Release Label for Cellar Door release wines, is launched.
Campbells first shipment to Canada to the provinces of Alberta and Ontario
Julie Campbell, youngest daughter of Prue and Colin Campbell graduates from Adelaide University with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Oenology) with Honours.

2001
Malcolm Campbell is awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to Viticulture and to the Community.
Colin and Prue Campbell visit Campbells agents in Edmonton, Alberta and Seattle in the United States, meeting key customers and promoting Rutherglen Muscat via Muscat blending exercises.
The Muscat of Rutherglen classification system is introduced to 21 Masters of Wine visiting Rutherglen. They participate in a Muscat blending exercise in the winery conducted by Colin Campbell.
www.campbellswines.com.au is launched
Julie Campbell commences her global winemaking experience, commencing in New Zealand and then moving to the Napa Valley in California .
2000 Semillon and 1999 Cabernets both won trophies at Rutherglen Wine Show.

2002
Our Bobbie' Burns Celebrations move from January to May.
Julie continues gaining valuable winemaking experience overseas in Chile and Spain.
Campbells Rutherglen Muscat is awarded Gold, Best Value Fortified Wine and the ultimate Trophy for Fortified Muscat at the 2002 International Wine Challenge, held in London.

2003

Susie Campbell, daughter of Colin and Prue joins Campbells as Marketing Manager and Jane leaves to live in South Australia with her husband Simon Ashby, a merino stud sheep breeder.
Campbells Rutherglen Muscat wins double gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
Robert Parker awards Merchant Prince Rare Rutherglen Muscat an incredible 99/100.
The inaugural Adelaide Cellar Club Dinner is held.
Julie Campbell completes an invaluable year as winemaker in a small winery in the Southern Rhone in France .

2004

The first crops of Viognier and Roussanne are harvested at Campbells .
Julie Campbell returns to Australia as winemaker with a specialist shiraz producer in the Barossa Valley .
The reds from the great 2002 vintage are released to wide acclaim.
Susie Campbell leads the Rutherglen Young Bloods – the new generation of the Rutherglen winemaking families.
Campbells Rutherglen Muscat’s US reputation is confirmed when it again wins double gold at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.
Cellar Club Members are provided with the added benefit of “e specials”.
Mrs Isabel Campbell celebrates her 85 th Birthday.
Huon Hooke, respected Sydney-based reviewer, recommends Campbells Classic Rutherglen Muscat as ”Best Fortified”.
Campbells bring home a bag full of awards from the Rutherglen Wine Show with 3 gold, 6 silver and 8 bronze.
Robert Parker awards Isabella Rare Rutherglen Tokay an incredible 99/100.
The Campbells famous “vine” undergoes a facelift, leading an upgrade of the whole Campbells branding.
Roger, son of Malcolm and Jenny Campbell marries Melissa Cann.