A Timely Addition to the Robert Oatley Vineyards Family of Wines

PETALUMA, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The Oatley family is proud to announce the release of the JAMES OATLEY TIC TOK WINES to their growing selection of wines produced at their Mudgee, Australia winery. Joining Robert Oatley, JAMES OATLEY TIC TOK is of special significance to the Oatley family's personal and wine history.

With interests spanning winemaking, agriculture, yachting and more recently destination resorts, the Oatleys are more than just wine producers. The first two generations were clockmakers.

Bob Oatley's heritage goes back to the early days of the original convict settlement in Sydney. A fifth generation Australian, Bob is a direct descendant of James Oatley, who was born in Warwickshire, England in 1770, the same year that Captain Cook discovered the east coast of Australia.

James Oatley grew up to become a clockmaker but along the way was a little errant - he was found guilty of stealing bed linen and given a life sentence, which meant being exiled to Australia. He arrived in Sydney in 1815 just 27 years after the first fleet had sailed into Sydney Harbor.

James Oatley's talents as a clockmaker were quickly recognized in the colony and he soon became its most highly regarded clock and watchmaker. Officially pardoned in 1821, he was appointed Keeper of the Town Hall Clock by Governor Macquarie and commissioned to install the turret clock in the pediment of the Hyde Park Barracks on Macquarie Street. Incredibly, this clock functions to this very day.

As part of James Oatley's compensation he received a number of land grants from Governor Brisbane, including a 300-acre lot that is now the southern Sydney suburb of Oatley. Prosperous and prominent colonial citizens purchased his lovely 'long case clocks,' with fewer than two-dozen still in existence today.

"We've crafted JAMES OATLEY TIC TOK in tribute to my great-great grandfather," says Bob Oatley, "and I am thrilled that the label was designed by my grandson James, yet another of my grandchildren who've joined the family business."

"The JAMES OATLEY TIC TOK wines are an expression that wine is an essential part of everyday well-lived life," says Mark Giordano, President USA. "To meet the needs of a wide audience the brand will include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, and Shiraz. The wines will retail for $14 and will be available in most major markets."

A decade after their success with Rosemount Estate, the Oatley family is leading a second Australian wine renaissance from their vineyards in Mudgee, New South Wales.  

To learn more about how we are revolutionizing Australian wine once again, please visit www.robertoatley.com.

SOURCE Robert Oatley Vineyards