The Clare Valley was still in its infancy as a wine region in 1893. But four men of vision shared a firm belief in its promise. As a result, they created the Stanley Wine Company (Stanley being the name of the local electoral district) to make high-quality wines there. Interestingly, none of them was a winemaker: Joseph Knappstein was a merchant; Scottish-born Doctor Wein-Smith was a general practitioner in Clare; Magnus Badger was a solicitor; and John Cristion was a noted brewer. As history shows, their instincts were good, and both their faith - and their investment - were to be repaid.