Max was born in Cessnock on 27th November, 1931, the third son of the late Walter and Catherine Drayton. He was educated at Pokolbin Primary School and later at Cessnock High School. He married a local lass, Caroline Bedford.

Today, Max still works in the vineyards and it was in 1997 that he celebrated 50 years with the Australian winemaking industry. To celebrate this achievement, a special dinner was held and Max was presented with many gifts and awards from his colleagues within the industry. A plaque presented by The Australian Winemaking Industry at the dinner, takes pride and place in the company's Boardroom.

Max is recognised as the quite achiever by those within the industry, always a source for information and advice, and should rightly be proud of his climb from vineyard labourer to Managing Director of an enterprise, with direct family links to 1853. 

His achievements and contribution to the wine industry were recognised in the 2003 Queen's Birthday Honours' List when Max was awarded an Order of Australia Medal, 

Maxwell Keith Drayton, OAM