Rob’s passion for wine began in New Zealand after a working holiday in 1974 working for Penfolds in Auckland. When he returned to Australia during the vintage of 1975, he worked in the Penfolds Cellar as a crusher operator and assistant in the red wine fermenters. This commenced a long and fruitful career for Rob over 22 years under Penfolds tutillage. In 1979 Rob was offered a Penfolds Wines Traineeship to study winemaking and viticulture at Roseworthy College by the management at the time which included the legendary Max Schubert. Rob completed his winemaking studies between 1979 and 1981.
He worked alongside Penfolds Chief Winemaker and led the dedicated Viticulture department until he left to start Gibson Wines and his international consultancy in 1997. This 22 years established Rob as a well-bred winemaker, seeing the great Penfolds wines evolve and tasting wine styles around the world as he travelled from Germany to France to Italy to South Africa and California. Today the Gibson range features a diverse selection of varieties and styles sourced from our own vineyards in Light Pass and Eden Valley and select growers. There is truly a wine for all occasions from fresh, crisp Eden Valley Riesling to fruit-forward, supple Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris. Led by Rob’s signature wine “The Dirtman” Shiraz, the Gibson reds showcase his winemaking style, achieving both high quality and good value.
