Meet the people behind GIBSON Wines - the family and our friends that work in the business!
ROB GIBSON
Rob began his wine interest in New Zealand during a working holiday in 1974 working for Penfolds. 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 fermentation area. In 1977 he moved to a technical assistant position in the laboratory. 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.
In 1981 and 1982 Rob worked as an assistant winemaker with John Duval and in late 1982, the then Chief Winemaker, Don Ditter, formulated a viticulture project aimed at selecting the very best quality Shiraz grapes for the Grange Hermitage production. Over the period 1983 through 1991 Rob worked in winemaking and viticulture, developing new assessments and discovering new information about the production of the very best Shiraz. The systems established connected the vineyard block characteristics at verasion and again prior to harvest with the resultant wine characters and value of the vintage components. This led to the establishment of a Technical Viticulture Department in 1992, which Rob setup and led until his departure in late 1997 after 23 years.
This background forms a basis of the unique Gibson Winegrowing Approach.
Read more about Rob's thoughts in his blog or visit www.robgibson.com.au/
ANNE GIBSON
Anne commenced her involvement in the wine industry at the beginning of 1986 when she worked in the International/Export Department at Penfolds based in Nuriootpa. For ten years the department gave her experience of dealing with international wine buyers, exporting wine and hosting guests that would visit the Penfolds Wine Group in Nuriootpa.
In 1996 Anne transferred within the company to the Red Wine Making Department where she worked as Chief Winemaker John Duval's personal assistant until 2003. This considerable experience means that Anne understands a lot about the wine community around the world.
KELLY MORONEY
After 8 years in the travel industry Kelly started with the family business in 2002 in Sales. Kelly looks after restaurants and liquor outlets that stock the GIBSON range in the Adelaide as well as marketing and direct sales with our loyal customers. You will also see Kelly at our Cellar Door a few days a week, occasionally sipping on a glass of Sparkling Merlot and giving people a unique experience at our Cellar Door Sales.
ADAM FIEGERT
Adam, similar to Abel has worked a few vintages overseas where he has combined his love of wine and travel to be best described as a "great lifestyle". Settled back in the Barossa Adam is a "jack of all trades" - combining managing a warehouse and despatch with Cellar Door shifts and our #1 sales guru for Loose End Wines. When you meet Adam you will find an affable character who enjoys your company. He may be listening to music trying to discover the next band for our Sunday Funday.
GIL McDONALD
The cool cat! Unflappable in the burning sands in the heat of harvest and on those frosty Light Pass mornings. He steadily goes about ensuring the vineyards are maintained at a world class standard.
KIM JANSEN
After studying at the University of South Australia Kim walked away with a Bachelor of Social Sciences with a Graduate in Conflict Management (a great asset for the family business). After working for the Native Title Unit in Adelaide for 4 years Kim moved on the Department of Families, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs in Adelaide city. Kim works at Cellar Door twice per month on a weekend as well as events at Cellar Door.
ABEL GIBSON
Abel has worked in the wine industry for 15 years. He has managed to combine two of his great passions - travel and wine, working vintages in both Spain and the Barossa, but has finally settled back in the Barossa. Abel continues to work on specialist projects within the business.
SAM GIBSON
A remote connection based in McLaren Vale working in hospitality promoting our wines where ever he can.