Entrepreneurs have one common trait: an unwavering belief in their vision despite the odds and the naysayers. Rockford Wines was started with no money, no customers, and no reputation…just a dream. A tough way to start a winery in the Barossa Valley in the mid 1980’s when the industry was in such poor shape, the government was paying people to pull vines and use the land for pasture! Thirty-five years later, Rockford stands as a testament to one man’s determined focus combined with a steadfast refusal to compromise on his core values.

From the time he started working in the wine industry, Robert O’Callaghan had always dreamed of having his own winery. Before he was able to turn that dream into a reality, he required two things: experience and money. He started his winemaking training in the 1960’s with Seppelts in Victoria. At that time, there were no wine colleges; you learned the process by working for a company and learning hands on from the bottom up. He was with Seppelts for 5 years in Rutherglen when they transferred him to a new position in the Barossa Valley looking after the relationship with the growers that the winery purchased grapes from.