Down to earth

Gibson Wines was established in 1996 and draws on over 45 years of experience of its founder; viticulturist, geologist and winemaker, Rob Gibson.

Rob – with wife Anne and son Adam – uphold a ‘wine growing’ philosophy. A belief deeply rooted in an understanding of the relationship between vineyards, their cycle of growth and maximising flavour intensity in resultant wines.

During his years studying at Roseworthy College, and later as head of the first viticultural department of Penfolds, Rob’s passion for wine growing and geology led him to be known as ‘The Dirtman’.

The Dirtman moniker continues with Gibson, as does the pursuit for maximising flavour.

LIGHT PASS, BAROSSA VALLEY

Our home

Surrounding an 1850s Blacksmith’s cottage, Gibson’s home property in Light Pass – Northern Barossa – features a 7 – acre patch of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These vines are planted under the Gibson-Schulz trellis system, a unique method co-invented by Rob. The vines are alternately planted on a low and high cordon wire, the latter reaching nearly two metres in height.

Light Pass sits slightly elevated from the Barossa Valley floor itself, at approximately 280m above sea level. The land was first surveyed by Colonel William Light who came across it while looking for travel routes between Adelaide and the River Murray. German emigrants in the 1830s and 1840s first planted vineyards in the area, commonly as part of mixed farming of livestock, orchards and cereals.

The family also tends to a small old vine vineyard in the Eden Valley, ‘Burkes Hill’, planted to Shiraz and Riesling.

GIBSON WINES

Cellar Door

Gibson is a little off the main tourism routes, at the Northern end of the Barossa. Our local hamlet of Light Pass is spotted with towering gum trees, patchworks of old vine vineyard and sentinel Lutheran churches.

Fellow small, passionate Barossa producers are close by. We’re right around the corner from Tomfoolery and Willows Vineyard and a stone’s throw to one of the Barossa’s best destination pubs – The Stockwell Hotel. We recommend you plan your Barossa visit from the North and to start at the top – literally.

Gibson always welcomes drop in visitors – it’s part of who we are. So feel free to stop in, even if you haven’t booked, or if your plans in the Barossa don’t quite go to schedule. If you’d prefer to book ahead, you’re welcome to do so via phone or the link below.