James Robson
TREADING LIGHTLY
Vigneron James Robson is producing refined wines from Australia’s first carbon-neutral vineyard and winery, and always looking for new ways to innovate.
James’s passion for protecting the environment has led him down a path of innovation and seen him become a leader in Australian wine. His parents, Peter and Terri, started the family wine story in 1994 when they planted a vineyard in the emerging Orange wine region. About a decade later, James – who has a background in farming and hospitality – joined the family business with his wife Chrissy. Now at the helm of Ross Hill Wines, they’re taking their eco-conscious wines to the next level.
Forging a new path
The Ross Hill cherry and apple orchard explodes with pink and white blossoms in spring, when the grapevines are just starting to awaken from winter. The Robson family bought the orchard in 2008, and it’s where they planted their second vineyard and built a winery in an old apple packing shed. The vineyard is one of the highest and coldest vineyards in Australia.
“Orange is a really special place,” says James. “It’s a lovely place to live, and for making wine, it’s absolutely spectacular. It has this beautiful, pristine, cool climate.”
Grown in rich soils from the volcanic slopes of Mount Canobolas, Ross Hill’s award-winning wines are elegant and refined. They’re crafted by winemaker Phil Kerney and range from Chardonnay to Shiraz and some of Australia’s top Cabernet Franc.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything at Ross Hill Wines, and since joining the business, James and Chrissy have pushed things even further.
In 2016, after years of effort and innovation, Ross Hill Wines became Australia’s first federal government–certified carbon-neutral winery. That’s thanks to a whole range of initiatives, including solar power, grazing sheep instead of the tractor, and old-school, low-intervention viticulture and winemaking.
“We produce no carbon out of this business and I’m very proud of that,” says James. “I think I even have the only carbon-neutral car in Australia, which is pretty cool.
“We’re here to produce a beautiful product but we’re not here to pollute the Earth while doing that. It’s a philosophy that goes a long way back in my family. I guess the premise of it is that I want to leave this farm better for my kids than I have it now.”
“We’re here to produce beautiful wine but we’re not here to pollute the Earth while doing it. We produce no carbon out of this business and I’m very proud of that.” – James Robson
Disclaimer
This information is presented in good faith and on the basis that Wine Australia, nor their agents or employees, are liable (whether by reason of error, omission, negligence, lack of care or otherwise) to any person for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any statement, information or advice given via this channel.
