Bill and Sandra Pannell purchased the Moss Wood land in 1969, where they planted the first Cabernet vines, fueled by Bill's passion for cultivating the great grape varieties of France. He chose this site for its exceptional soils and favorable aspect, guided by the insights of Perth agronomist Dr. John Gladstones, whose research in 1966 praised the Margaret River region for its consistent and suitable climate for grape growing. This decision was also influenced by Professor Harold Olmo's visit from the University of California at Davis in 1955.
The vineyard's first vintage was produced in 1973, yielding 250 dozen bottles of wine. When Keith joined Moss Wood for the 1979 vintage, it marked an exciting period for the Margaret River wine industry, which was still in its infancy. Armed with the scientific backing of Dr. Gladstones, new vignerons were optimistic about the future and eager to explore various wine styles and qualities without the constraints of historical norms seen elsewhere in the old world. Robust discussions about the direction of their wines often took place with the Pannells and other emerging growers, shaping what we now recognize as typical Margaret River wine styles.
In 1984, the Mugfords leased the Moss Wood vineyard and winery, becoming managing partners of the then 20-acre vineyard on 80 acres of land, producing 3,000 cases of wine annually. The property sale was finalized in July 1985, when the Mugfords assumed full ownership. By 1997, Clare and Keith negotiated a three-year contract with Ian Bell, who had worked at Moss Wood for 21 years and planted Cabernet Sauvignon vines on his family's land, 10 kilometers north of Moss Wood. The wine began to be released as Moss Wood "Glenmore Vineyard" Cabernet Sauvignon in 1998, later renamed "Amy's Vineyard" in honor of Ian's grandmother, Amy Beers.
The year 2000 saw the addition of a new winery building to accommodate expanded production and the purchase of the Ribbon Vale vineyard, located just 1.6 kilometers south of Moss Wood within the Wilyabrup region. The vineyards at Ribbon Vale, planted between 1977 and 1982, introduced Moss Wood to Sauvignon Blanc and led to the creation of its first blended Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.
Beginning in 2007, the Margaret River region experienced a series of outstanding vintages, further solidifying its reputation for quality winemaking. The first release of Moss Wood Ribbon Vale Cabernet Sauvignon occurred in 2013, and over the subsequent years, the wines garnered notable accolades. The Moss Wood 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon received a remarkable score of 99/100 from Ray Jordan in 2017. In 2019, the 2017 Chardonnay was awarded Best Chardonnay by the James Halliday Wine Companion 2020, also achieving a score of 99/100. Clare and Keith Mugford were honoured with the prestigious Jack Mann Memorial Medal for their significant contributions to the Western Australian wine industry. In 2020, the Moss Wood 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon was celebrated as the “Best of the Best” in its varietal category, again receiving a score of 99/100 from the James Halliday Wine Companion 2021.