Houghton was established in 1836, just four years after the fledgling colony of Western Australia was founded. It is one of Australia's oldest operating wineries. Houghton is now the tenth-largest red and white bottle brand in Australia, and sources fruit from every major premium grape-growing region in WA, including Gingin, Margaret River, Frankland River and Mount Barker in the Great Southern, and the emerging Pemberton region.

The Houghton Gladstones Cabernet Sauvignon honours renowned viticulturist and long time supporterof Houghton, Dr John Gladstones. In 1965 John published a scientific paper identifying the suitability of the Margaret River region to produce premium wine grapes. His importance as a viticultural researcher was recognised in 2008 when he received the Maurice O’Shea award for outstanding contribution to the wine industry.