First planted with vines in 1860 by James Scott, the property was named after his birthplace in Scotland. However, it was soon sold on to New Zealander Henry Ireland, who added the Cellars in 1874.

Ireland increased plantings and guided the winery through the 1890’s economic recession. By the 1900’s the volume reached 200,000 litres annually, most of which was exported.

In 1919 Ireland sold St Leonards to a syndicate of local vignerons, including Will Chambers. The winery remained busy, processing all of the grapes from Seppelts Rutherglen Vineyards between 1924 and 1928, while Seppelts rebuilt their Clydesdale Cellars. This tremendous activity declined with the onset of the depression of the 1930’s and World War II.

With the great development of wine appreciation and in particular the acknowledgement of the outstanding wines of the Rutherglen region, the vineyard was bought and redeveloped in early 1973, by noted artist, wine buff and descendant of the original surveyor of the Rutherglen township – John Darbyshire.

In 1980, members of the Brown family of Milawa purchased St Leonards from John Darbyshire and in 1992 Peter R Brown took over ownership. Today Peter’s children own St Leonards Vineyards.