Company Activities

In 1996 the Australian Centre for Family Business at Bond University identified J. & A.G. Johnston as the oldest known family business in South Australia, where its origins date back to 1839. The Johnstons established their malting and brewing enterprise in 1843. During the second half of the 19th Century they built or acquired a number of hotels in the Adelaide Hills area to provide a network of outlets for their ales and other beverages. Today, the brewing has ceased, but J. & A.G. Johnston continues to own a significant number of properties in the Hills area, including hotels. During the 1990s the company broadened its scope by establishing vineyards and marketing wine under the Johnston label.

Johnston Wines

It was the encouragement of our winemakers, Geoff Johnston and David O'Leary, that led to the initial Johnston planting of 22 hectares at Oakbank in 1993 and a further 26 hectares in 1998. Johnston currently produces a number of high quality wines including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay.

Johnston Hotels

J. & A.G. Johnston owns 19 hotels in the Adelaide Hills and nearby areas. All are over 100 years old and have interesting histories of their own. As responsible landlords, Johnstons are intent on continuing to enhance the hotels so that they continue to offer a pleasant environment and enjoyable experience for locals and visitors.

Other Johnston Properties

J.& A.G. Johnston owns the Balhannah Junction Shopping Centre which consists of 12 shops and offices with car parking for 80 vehicles. The centre opened in September 1989 and features a clock tower which resembles the brewing tower that remains a central feature of Johnston's Oakbank Brewery. The Johnstons' sporting interests were evident in their founding roles in the Onkaparinga (Oakbank) Racing Club in 1875 and Oakbank Golf Club in 1892, both courses being on Johnston land. A little over a century after the Golf Club was formed, Johnstons established a new nine-hole, links-type course on company land at Smith Street, Oakbank. The course was opened in December 1994 and is now leased and operated by the Oakbank Golf Club.

Johnston Cordials

In the 1860s, twenty years after James and Andrew Johnston built the original Oakbank Brewery, they diversified into a range of non-alcoholic beverages. Today, the Johnston family still upholds the tradition of using only the finest quality ingredients to make their range of 14 full flavoured cordials.