About Barossa Valley's Winery - Rockford
The Traditional Winemaking Art of Rockford Winery
Located in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, Rockford Winery has been a cornerstone of the Australian wine industry since its establishment in 1971. The founder, Robert O’Callaghan, is a strong advocate of traditional winemaking techniques. One of the fascinating aspects of the winery is the continuation of these methods, as they still use a century-old basket press to extract grape juice. While most other wineries have long abandoned such equipment, Rockford's unique flavors have inspired many to follow suit and bring back the use of the basket press.
Regional Characteristics
Barossa Valley is renowned for its unique climate and soil conditions. The hot days and cool nights provide an ideal environment for red grape varieties such as Shiraz. Among them, Shiraz wines from Rockford Winery are especially well-regarded, celebrated by wine enthusiasts for their rich spice flavors and smooth tannin structure.
Wine Styles
Rockford’s most iconic wines are the Basket Press Shiraz and Black Shiraz. The Basket Press Shiraz is the flagship product, crafted using the traditional basket press method. It has a rich and full-bodied palate and has been repeatedly recognized as one of Australia’s best Shiraz wines.
The Black Shiraz, on the other hand, is a sparkling red wine. It undergoes secondary fermentation using the Champagne method and is based on Shiraz. This wine is highly sought after due to its unique flavor and limited release. It is the only sparkling Shiraz to make it onto the prestigious Langton's Fine Wine Classification.
I’ve also written a review of the Black Shiraz, which you can read here if you're interested.
Tasting Experience at Rockford
In June 2024, I visited Adelaide and, of course, made a trip to the renowned wine region of Barossa Valley. At Rockford’s cellar door, we sampled a variety of fine wines, including the 2023 Eden Valley Riesling, 2022 Local Growers Semillon, 2024 White Frontignac, 2023 Alicante Bouchet, 2023 Frugal Farmer, and 2021 Moppa Springs.
If you're planning a trip to the Barossa Valley, consider visiting Rockford Winery!
