Rockford isn’t just a name for wine lovers – it’s a living time capsule, born from discarded vineyard tools.
It’s a glimpse into the past.
Rockford’s history brims with tradition, attracting a cult following of old-school wine lovers and modern sommeliers alike.
Let’s jump in and explore Rockford’s storied past, its iconic wines and find out why the label has become so popular among investors.
The history of Rockford
Rockford’s story begins in 1984, when Robert O’Callaghan founded the winery with a simple but bold vision:
To produce wine using traditional methods that celebrate the Barossa Valley’s past.
At a time when most other wineries were hyper-focussed on upgrading to modern techniques, it was a daring dream.
Strapped for cash O’Callaghan began by snapping up unloved, vintage equipment across the region.
Those “relics”, basket presses and open fermenters, became Rockford’s signature tools, bringing a touch of history and character to every bottle.
But it wasn’t just the equipment that set Rockford apart — O’Callaghan hand-picked grapes from vines that had been growing for over 100 years.
This laid the foundation for one of Australia’s most revered wines.
Rockford wines
Rockford’s Basket Press Shiraz is by far the vineyard’s most popular wine, with vintages stretching all the way back to 1984. Good luck getting your hands on an older vintage though – in our research, we couldn’t find a single one listed online.
Basket Press Shiraz: The Icon
Basket Press Shiraz is Rockford’s flagship wine, made from some of the oldest Shiraz vines in Barossa. With powerful, layered flavours of dark fruits, spice, and a hint of earthiness, it’s a wine that ages gracefully and continues to impress collectors.
Other stars in the Rockford lineup
If Basket Press Shiraz is out of reach, Rockford offers other exceptional wines that bring the same quality and tradition.
Rifle Range Cabernet Sauvignon: Named after the vineyard where the grapes are grown, this Cabernet is bold and balanced, showing off Barossa’s structure and elegance.
Sparkling Black Shiraz: Rockford’s Sparkling Black Shiraz is something of a Barossa Valley specialty — a full-bodied Shiraz with a playful, effervescent twist. And despite being a sparkling wine, it has the depth and concentration typical of Rockford, making it a truly distinctive addition to any collection.
It’s a wine heavily associated with Christmas, so don’t be surprised if you stumble across a bottle at a work party!
Caption: Rockford Sparkling Black Shiraz - Disgorged 2023
Key vintages
It’s hard to look past the 2014 Basket Press vintage as a must-watch for investors.
It is entering its prime drinking window (about 10-15 years from bottling), and is one of Rockford’s most-lauded vintages by critics and amateur wine-lovers alike. Meanwhile, it hasn’t been around long enough for scarcity to send its price sky-high…yet…
Other prominent vintages include 2008, 2017, and 2005.
Why collectors love Rockford
Tradition is a huge appeal to collectors, and Rockford ticks that box.
Australia’s premier wine classifier, Langtons, ranks the Rockford Basket Press as First Classified (First Growth) – aka the best of the best.
Only about 20 wines in Australia have received this prestigious label.
Rockfords has two other labels (Sparkling Black Shiraz and Rifle Range Cab Sauv) ranking on Langtons “Classified” (Second Growth) list, speaking to the winemaker’s overall quality.
But perhaps Rockford’s most appealing quality is its barrier to entry.
While many other blue-chip vintages might cost a few grand, Rockford Shiraz offers access to a premium investment for a quarter of the cost.
This makes them a worthwhile asset for first-timers looking to dip their toes into the grapes water.
You can pick up a newer vintage for under AU $300, comfortably knowing you have until the 2030s before the bottle (and price) fully matures.
Take Rockford’s 2014 vintage for example – at the start of 2023, these were selling for around AU $250.
At its peak in June 2024, the 2014 Basket Press reached AU $319, representing immense gains of 27% in just 18 months.
Admittedly, the market has settled down a little in recent times – but this demonstrates the potential growth Rockford vintages hold.
Caption: 2014 Rockford Basket Press 1 year price history. Source: WineSearcher
Earlier Basket Press vintages from the 90s typically go for over AU $400.
Another attractive feature of the Rockford Basket Press is how hard it can be for investors to buy.
Key vintages are typically reserved for Rockford Stone Wall members – a mailing list that can take years to join.
Exclusivity, high-quality and a long drink window? That’s the recipe for a very valuable wine.
Summary
From its dedication to tradition to its unique lineup of wines, Rockford is more than just a winery — every bottle is a piece of Barossa Valley history.
The company has only been around for forty years, but given its stellar reputation, it feels like they’ve been serving Australians for much longer.
No matter your investment experience, Rockford wines offer authenticity, quality, and potential returns, making them a brilliant addition to any cellar.
