Kym Tolley: A Legacy in Australian Winemaking

The story of five generations of winemaking heritage, a career at Penfolds and the creation of The Last Emperor.

Kym Francis Tolley is one of Australia's experienced winemakers, with a career spanning more than 50 years and a family history deeply embedded in the country's wine industry.

As a descendant of both the Penfold and Tolley families, Kym's connection to Australian winemaking stretches back to the 1840s. He represents a rare link between two influential Australian wine dynasties, combining generations of family knowledge with formal training, technical expertise and an enduring passion for the art of blending.

Kym was the last member of the Penfold family to make wine at Penfolds, where he spent 17 years developing his craft. Working alongside respected winemakers including Max Schubert, the creator of Penfolds Grange, and Jeffrey Hyland, Kym established the foundations of a winemaking philosophy centred on structure, balance and longevity.

Today, that experience informs his work at Kym Tolley Wine Co, where The Last Emperor represents the culmination of a lifetime dedicated to Australian wine.

Six generations of winemaking heritage

The Penfolds and Tolley Family Legacy

True winemaking greatness is rarely accidental. Kym Francis Tolley is the living bridge between two of Australia’s most foundational wine dynasties: the Penfolds and the Tolleys. With a winemaking lineage deeply rooted in the 1840s, Kym’s heritage spans both sides of his family tree. On his mother’s side, he descends directly from Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold and Mary Penfold —the historic estate that birthed the legendary Penfolds Grange. On his father’s side, the Tolley family purchased the iconic Phoenix Winemaking and Distilling Company but is celebrated internationally for Tolley, Scott & Tolley Brandy

Rather than coasting on name recognition alone, Kym solidified his corporate and clinical pedigree through 16 years of rigorous, formal training at Penfolds. During this invaluable apprenticeship, industry giants Jeffrey Penfold Hyland and the legendary Max Schubert (the visionary creator of Grange) mentored him directly. This meticulous foundation of classical winemaking science, combined with century-old intuitive legacy, set the stage for an extraordinary 53-year winemaking career.

Growing up around his family’s winery, D.A. Tolley Wines, Kym’s introduction to winemaking began at an early age, working alongside his father before completing his first full hands-on vintage in 1972. His understanding of the craft continued to develop during his 15 years at Penfolds, where he became part of a talented winemaking team led by Max Schubert. 

Under the guidance of some of the industry's most respected figures, including Don Ditter, Ray Beckwith, Jeffrey Penfold-Hyland, John Bird and John Daveron, Kym developed a deep appreciation for the Penfolds approach to red winemaking, particularly the art of multi-regional and multi-varietal blending. Working on renowned wines such as Grange, Bin 620 and Bin 820 further shaped his understanding of how fruit from different regions could come together to create distinctive Australian wines. 

His experience was also broadened through overseas study, including a European vintage at Champagne houses Charles Heidsieck and Henriot, followed by time spent visiting Bordeaux's celebrated châteaux. These early influences helped establish the technical knowledge, curiosity and blending philosophy that continue to inform Kym's winemaking today.

Penley Estate: Establishing an International Wine Reputation

In 1988, Kym embarked on an independent venture, founding Penley Estate in Coonawarra, South Australia. Located on the region's renowned Terra Rossa soils, the estate was established with an ambitious vision: to produce premium Australian wines with the quality and consistency to compete on the international stage.

Between 1988 and 2004, Kym oversaw the progressive development of the estate's vineyards, planting approximately 110 hectares of vines across the property. As Founder and Chief Winemaker, he played a central role in establishing Penley Estate as an internationally recognised producer of premium Coonawarra wines.

With modern winemaking facilities and an annual production capacity of up to 45,000 cases, Penley Estate developed a significant international presence while maintaining a strong focus on quality.

Kym's work at Penley Estate helped establish his reputation for producing wines defined by structure, refinement and balance, particularly Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.

International recognition: Building an International Reputation for Australian Wine

Kym's approach to building international markets was grounded in personal relationships, an understanding of different wine cultures and a genuine appreciation for the people behind the global wine trade.

Through extensive travel and direct engagement with importers, distributors, retailers and wine professionals, Kym established relationships across key international markets, including the United States, China, Hong Kong, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam.

His wines found an audience for their distinctive style, combining the generosity and character of New World fruit with the structure, restraint and finesse often associated with Old World winemaking.

International recognition was an important part of Kym's career, with awards and critical reviews contributing to the growing reputation of his wines.

The Art of Balance: Kym Tolley's Winemaking Philosophy

For Kym, exceptional winemaking is ultimately about balance. It is the relationship between fruit, structure, acidity, tannin and oak that determines the character and longevity of a wine.

His approach combines traditional winemaking principles with an openness to experimentation and innovation. Rather than allowing any one element to dominate, Kym focuses on bringing together individual components that complement one another to create a harmonious final blend.

This philosophy has remained consistent throughout his career, from his early years at Penfolds and the development of Penley Estate to his current work with Kym Tolley Wine Co.

Today, Kym is particularly drawn to the creative possibilities of multi-regional blending. By selecting fruit from different South Australian wine regions, he can bring together contrasting characteristics and build a wine with greater complexity, depth and structural balance.

The Creative Rebirth: Returning to the Art of Winemaking

After decades of building successful wine businesses and establishing an international reputation, Kym found himself drawn back to the more personal and creative side of winemaking. Having worked across large wine operations and family-owned businesses, he wanted to return to a more hands-on approach, where he could focus on the detail of each wine, from selecting the fruit to refining the final blend.

Today, much of Kym's creative inspiration comes from the art of blending. He enjoys the challenge of bringing together fruit from different regions, identifying the characteristics each has to offer and finding the right combination to create a wine with depth, complexity and balance.

An interesting influence from Kym's early years at Penfolds was Helen Keller. Her signature was engraved on a historic large oak vat at the Magill winery, which Kym worked alongside during his time there. Her story and outlook on life have remained a source of inspiration, particularly the importance of having vision and purpose.

“The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” - Helen Keller

A dedicated vat at Penfolds Magill in South Australia remains as a reminder of Helen Keller's visit on 4 July 1948.

For Kym, winemaking has always been about more than following tradition. It is about combining experience, creativity and an understanding of the fruit to produce something distinctive. This return to a more focused, hands-on style of winemaking is what continues to drive him today.

The Last Emperor: The Culmination of a Winemaking Career

After decades working within established wine businesses, Kym returned to a more personal approach to winemaking, where creativity, careful fruit selection and attention to detail take centre stage.

The result is The Last Emperor, the flagship wine of Kym Tolley Wine Co.

Drawing on more than 53 years of experience, Kym has created a distinctive South Australian blend that brings together fruit from three renowned wine regions: Coonawarra, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.

Rather than being defined by a single region, The Last Emperor reflects Kym's belief in the possibilities of blending, allowing each region to contribute its own characteristics to the finished wine.

A blend of three South Australian wine regions

• Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon: Provides structure, fine tannins, natural acidity and the distinctive characteristics of the region's cool-climate vineyards and Terra Rossa soils.

• Barossa Valley Shiraz: Contributes richness, depth, texture and concentrated dark fruit characteristics and a savoury element.

• McLaren Vale Shiraz: Adds aromatic expression, vibrant fruit character and further complexity.

The 2021 blend brings together 52% Cabernet Sauvignon and 48% Shiraz, showcasing the complementary qualities of these varieties and regions.

The result is a wine built around structure, depth and balance, with the potential to develop further complexity through careful cellaring.

The Proven Track Record: Critical Reviews & Awards (PRE-2021)

Before embarking on his current venture, Kym’s classical technique and structural mastery captured the attention of the world's most demanding wine authorities, amassing over 1,700 industry awards, 49 regional trophies, and 200 Gold Medals over a thirty-year tenure:

"European in style, all wines offer a firm edge to their restrained personalities, refinement, and class." — Len Evans OBE

"What I love about all his wines is that they are finished. They have harmony, a long finish and are beautifully finished." — Jeff Collerson (The Daily Telegraph)

"Designated Penley Estate as one of only two 'Australian Classified Growths' as early as 1993, instantly elevating the brand alongside Europe's historic châteaux." — Jancis Robinson MW (Financial Times)

"Regularly praised Kym's classical technique, highlighting his wines for their 'dense, layered complexity' and 'immense cellaring potential.'" — Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

 Kym Tolley Career Accolades & Trophies: At A Glance

Critical Acclaim for The Last Emperor 2021

The Last Emperor 2021 has received impressive critical recognition, with leading Australian wine reviewers acknowledging the wine's structure, complexity and balance.

• 98 points – Jeni Port, Winepilot

• 97 points – Ken Gargett, Winepilot

• 96 points – Ray Jordan, Winepilot

The wine also received a Gold Medal at the 2026 China Wine & Spirit Awards in Hong Kong, adding international recognition to Kym's latest chapter in winemaking.

The yet-to-be-released 2022 vintage is already attracting attention, with positive reviews from leading Australian wine critics:

• 96 points – Ray Jordan, Winepilot

• 95 points – Ken Gargett, Winepilot

For Kym, The Last Emperor represents more than a new wine venture. It brings together a lifetime of experience, generations of family heritage and a continuing commitment to the craft of Australian winemaking.

FAQ

Who is Kym Tolley?

Kym Tolley is an Australian winemaker with more than 50 years of experience and a family history connected to the Penfold and Tolley wine dynasties. He is the founder of Penley Estate and Kym Tolley Wine Co.

What was Kym Tolley's connection to Penfolds?

Kym Tolley is a descendant of the Penfold family and spent 16 years training and working at Penfolds, where he developed his winemaking expertise alongside respected industry figures.

What is Penley Estate?

Penley Estate is a Coonawarra wine estate founded by Kym Tolley in 1988. Under his leadership, it developed an international reputation for premium South Australian wines.

What is The Last Emperor wine?

The Last Emperor is the flagship wine of Kym Tolley Wine Co. The 2021 vintage is a Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz blend sourced from Coonawarra, Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.

What makes The Last Emperor different?

The Last Emperor combines fruit from three South Australian wine regions, bringing together the structure of Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon with the richness and complexity of Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale Shiraz.