Born in Waianiwa in central Southland, Richard is currently Head of Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery and the Chief Medical Officer for the Otago District Health Board. He is also on the Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery for Australasia and has just finished 9 years as an examiner for Australasia – ensuring that young surgeons are appropriately trained prior to them becoming consultants.

Richard attended Southland Boys' High School, where he was Head Prefect in his last year. He moved to Dunedin in 1971 to attend Medical School. Richard played rugby for a number of years - Senior for Green Island 1973 – 1982 and Otago 1974 – 75 – 76. He graduated in 1976 MBCHB, began training in Cardiothoracic surgery in 1978 and gained the FRACS in 1983.

Richard has done postgraduate training in Boston – working at Harvard and then onto Southampton in England working with Sir Keith Ross. Returning to New Zealand in 1986, he became a consultant in Cardiothoracic surgery.

Richard had always had an interest in wine. One of his uncles – who had travelled extensively – always had wine on the table at meal time. At University, Richard’s interest in wine expanded through flatting with fellow students who also had an interest in wine. In the mid-1990’s, he began to develop the company that is today known as Rockburn.

Richard is married to Lynley and they have three daughters – Amanda (born 1977), Emma (1979) and Victoria (1982).

Chris joined Rockburn in 1999 after being plied large amounts of Pinot by Dick Bunton. Having sold his previous business interests he was looking for an involvement in the exciting new wine industry of Central Otago. Chris has been responsible for developing Rockburn's sales and distribution network in New Zealand and off shore. Outside wine his interests are golf and fishing and absorbing the Central Otago lifestyle. Chris James is married to Judy and they have a daughter and two sons.

An Auckland native, Paul has shared living between Central Otago and Auckland since 1995. His working career began in the packaging industry (paper and plastics) and he set up on his own account in 1981. These businesses were involved in flexible packaging and plastics recycling and employed around 400 people in New Zealand and Australia. Paul sold out of these business interests in 2004.

Paul’s role in Rockburn is as a shareholder and director, tending to focus on the finance and marketing arenas in particular. Along with winemaker Malcolm Francis, Paul was responsible for managing the construction of the Cromwell winery.

Paul’s investment in Rockburn came about due to a love of the landscapes of Central Otago and a love for Pinot Noir. The latter developed whilst spending vacation time in Burgundy, France.

Paul is married with three daughters. His spare time covers such activities as skiing, helicopter flying, fishing (salt & freshwater), classic car collecting and motor racing. Paul currently campaigns two race cars – a 2003 Maserati Cambiocorsa Trofeo and a 911 Porsche RS – in both tar seal rallies and track events. Both these cars carry Rockburn banners.

Four years studying Microbiology at the University of Otago drove Malcolm into a life of wine, beginning in Marlborough in 2000, sojourning at Lincoln University for a year and culminating in Central Otago. Malcolm comes into the Rockburn fold from his four-year tenure as Felton Road Wines’ Assistant Winemaker. His time there was devoted to learning about and making fine Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chardonnay and included three vintages working in Oregon, USA. His passion for wine is now one of the driving forces behind the future direction of Rockburn’s wine portfolio.

Michelle became involved in Rockburn back in 1998 through her husband Rodney’s passion for the wine industry. Since then Michelle has been responsible for managing the day to day running of the company from her office in Dunedin. Michelle has enjoyed being part of and watching the Company evolve from small beginnings to becoming one of Central Otago’s leading wine companies.
Michelle has two children Oliver and Abbey and in her spare time enjoys netball, tramping, camping and relaxing with friends and family.

Rebecca hails from London, England. After gaining a BA Honours degree in Philosophy and Linguistics she moved to France to pursue her first love, snowboarding. Two years later she moved back to London to ‘settle down’ but soon tired of office life and set sail again for the snow. Although only planning to stay in Queenstown for the winter, she is still here after two years, the reason for this being the discovery of a new love: wine. Since first moving to the area Becky has been involved in the wine industry, developing her passion and knowledge for the subject, from working in the winery during harvest to being a sommelier in one of Queenstown’s top restaurants. Having passed her level one Master Sommelier qualification in 2008, she has now turned her sights to the Master of Wine and is currently studying for her advanced level qualification. In addition to managing Rockburn’s cellar door, Becky is in charge of export shipments and certifications, dry goods, and bottling and labelling runs. She is also the writer of our monthly Newsletter and press releases.