Cromwell, New Zealand – Rockburn Wines today announced the pending retirement of its founding director, Dick Bunton ONZM, who has sold his stake in the company to the remaining founding directors, Chris James and Paul Halford.
Dick Bunton, a pioneer in the Central Otago wine industry, began his journey in viticulture in 1991 with the establishment of a small hobby vineyard at Lake Hayes near Arrowtown. The first vintage released under the Hayes Lake brand in 1998 laid the foundation for what would eventually become Rockburn Wines. In 2002, the brand was rebranded to Rockburn to better reflect the regional terroir.
Originally from Waianiwa in central Southland, Dick now resides in Dunedin with his wife Lynley and has three daughters – Amanda, Emma, and Victoria. Dick is currently the Head of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Dunedin Hospital, a position he has held since 1995. He also served as Dunedin’s chief medical officer from 2004 to 2012 and was the medical director of patient services from 2012 to 2017. In the 2024 New Year's Honours, Dick was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) from King Charles III for his services to cardiothoracic surgery.
In recognition of Dick’s contributions to the wine industry, Rockburn Wines will rename its original Gibbston Back Road Vineyard to the Dick Bunton Vineyard, a nine-hectare block planted with Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris, in his honour.
Chris James and Paul Halford, the remaining founding directors, expressed their gratitude for Dick’s dedication and vision, which have been instrumental in shaping Rockburn Wines into the esteemed winery it is today. They look forward to continuing the legacy Dick has established and are committed to upholding the high standards he set.
