In 1851 the Michelini's began growing grapes and making wine in the Trentino Alto Adige region of the Italian Alps.

Emo Michelini arrived in Sydney in 1949 at the age of 25, and two years later with his wife Olga moved to the Buckland Valley where he began share-farming with several other Italian families, growing and curing tobacco.

Looking for a source of fruit from cooler climates as blending material for their existing warmer sites, Orlando Wines, Barossa Valley, South Australia approached Emo in the early 1980's and discussed the possibility of developing a vineyard in the Buckland Valley. A 50 acre vineyard was planted in 1982, with a further 50 acres planted in 1991.

The vineyard is operated by Ilario and Dino Michelini, with the newly named Orlando Wyndham Group a major purchaser of fruit from the vineyard. The produce was initially sold as fresh grapes, harvested and transported to Griffith for processing into juice and ultimately wine.

A decision to develop the winery ready for the 1997 vintage was timely with the introduction of strict phylloxera quarantine restrictions, forbidding the transport of fresh grapes into New South Wales. Also, there has been a marked increase in quality of product as the fruit is processed more quickly after harvest.

In 1997, the winery also saw the first release of wines under the Michelini label, including Chardonnay, Merlot, and the traditional Italian Marzemino and Fragolino.

Today the Michelini range still includes these wines, as well as other Italian varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Babera and Sangiovese.