Rockburn, named after the rugged, rock-strewn landscapes of Central Otago, is known for its breathtaking mountains and serene lakes. This region, the world’s southernmost wine area, produces premium wines with intense varietal characteristics.
Their journey began in 1991 when Richard Bunton established a small 3-hectare vineyard at Lake Hayes near Arrowtown. A year later, they expanded to include a 9-hectare vineyard in Gibbston Valley. By 1999, they had acquired Hay's Lake, developing a 33-hectare vineyard at Parkburn on the shores of Lake Dunstan. To better reflect the terroir of their expanding vineyards, they rebranded as Rockburn Central Otago in 2002.
In 2005, Malcolm Rees-Francis, who previously served as Assistant Winemaker at Felton Road, joined as the new Winemaker. A year later, they opened a winery-cellar door complex on McNulty Road in Cromwell. In 2015, they acquired a new winery complex on Ripponvale Road in Cromwell to keep up with increasing demand both locally and internationally.
Rockburn’s vineyards are uniquely situated between rain-soaked mountains to the west and a stark, moon-like landscape to the east. This contrast in climate and geography allows their vineyards to produce exceptional wines, including not only Pinot Noir but also award-winning Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling, Rosé, and Fumé Blanc.
Handpicked grapes from their Parkburn Vineyard in Lowburn and Back Road Vineyard in Gibbston Valley fully express the complex subtleties of their unique terroir, resulting in wines that truly capture the essence of Central Otago.
