Ron Liebich is celebrating 53 years involved with Barossa vintages either as a vigneron, winemaker, cellar hand, champion grape treader and simply being a Barossa wine legend!
It was 1968 when he graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College with his Oenology degree. Soon after he had the opportunity to take over from his Uncle “Darkie” Liebich in the winemaking duties and lab analyses at Rovalley Wines which was operated by the wider Liebich family. Since then he’s never looked back. Anyone who’s ever met Ron will know how passionate he is about wine and the local region.
“Ron Liebich walks into Liebichwein’sCellar Door, wearing shorts, tee-shirt and trademark pair of snips clipped to his leather belt.
He’s somewhat chirpy today because this Rowland Flat winemaker/grapegrower has just completed his 54th vintage and he reckons it’s a good one too.
He’d know, his grape-stained hands reveal a lifetime of dedication to an industry that has been part of his bloodline for generations, since his grandfather, Benno Liebich started making wine in 1919.
When Ron speaks to The Barossa Mag, he’s just finished picking Muscat, the last grapes to ripen perfectly in his 12 hectares of vineyard planted with a fruit salad of different varieties.”
All the traditions of the long-running Barosa Vintage Festival were celebrated in April 2019.?We had a ball celebrating a century of Liebich family winemaking heritage in the Barossa Valley.?Winemaking is in Ron’s blood starting with his Grandfather, Benno Liebich, who established a family winery in Rowland Flat in 1919.
The cricket theme for the float was selected given that between Ron, his Uncle “Darkie” and grandfather Benno?they had notched up 100 vintages not out. We rolled out the turf on the back of a truck, set up stumps, donned the whites and rolled the arm over.
We’re absolutely thrilled with results from the Barossa Wine Show 2018. Ron has outdone himself picking up a Trophy for Museum Fortified for the second year in a row. Rare Tawny was crowned Best Museum Red Fortified. Last year saw Rare Semillon get a similar honour in the Best Museum White Fortified Class.
All entries from around the Barossa region were such high calibre, we’re proud to be among the same company. Congratulations to all other medal and trophy winners.
Other Liebichwein medal winners:
Rare Frontignac = SILVER (yet to be released)
2018 Vintage Fortified Petit Verdot (baby VP – yet to be released) = BRONZE
The Liebich family have been passionate about wine in the Barossa Valley for almost 100 years. This is a brief look at what was happening around Australia and the Barossa region when Ron and Janet first established the Liebichwein label 25 years ago. Ron is the third generation winemaker to be based in Rowland Flat, South Australia and he’s preparing for his 49th Barossa vintage at age 71.
1992
What happened in Australia in 1992?
Artists in the Top 10 Australian music charts included Billy Ray Cyrus, Guns ?n Roses and Whitney Houston
Average petrol price was 68 c/L
The cost of a postage stamp was increased from 43 cents to 45 cents
The Australian 1 and 2 cent coins were withdrawn from circulation
The Prime minister was Paul Keating
The first WOMADelaide music festival?was held at Botanic Park as part of the Adelaide Festival of Arts
The Cricket World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand where Pakistan?defeated England?in the final at the MCG by 22 runs
The AFL grand final was won by West Coast Eagles, the first non-Victorian team to win
There were about 700 wineries in Australia, now there are well over 2500 (over 150 in the Barossa region)
What happened in Barossa Valley in 1992?
The estimated population of the Barossa Valley council area was 18,000 (now 24,500)
A mixed vintage for wine quality since the warmer regions like the Barossa didn?t receive the heat normally required to deliver the typically concentrated and rich reds wines.
The?Barossa Valley railway line?past Penrice junction was officially declared closed, 18 year later the track between Angaston and Nuriootpa was lifted and a shared path for bikes and pedestrians was put in place
The winery shed was built in Rowland Flat where Liebichwein cellar door still is today
Liebichwein Cellar Door opened in December 1992 operating on weekends only
Steingarten Road in Rowland Flat was known as Narrow Road
Ron was reigning grape treading champion of the Barossa Vintage Festival
The first range of Liebich table wines: 1992 Cabernet Sauvignon, 1993 Shiraz, 1992 Riesling of the Valleys (Barossa fruit grown by Ron blended with some Clare Valley Riesling grapes)
The first Liebich fortified wines: Classic Old Barossa Tawny, Benno Port, Ron’s Blend, Keg Blend
Tending the fruit for Ron’s first Riesling Traminer blend dedicated to his dear mother Lorna as it was her favourite style to drink (trophy winner in 1993 for best sweet white at the Barossa Wine Show)
Ron started planting Merlot, Grenache and Semillon vineyards to complement the older Shiraz and Cabernet in the?40 acre block inherited from older generations
We are proud to present our new release Apera in the style of Sweet Sherry as we continue to hone in on our reputation for fantastic fortifieds.
Ron has been making wine for 46 years in the Barossa region. He makes no secret of the fact that fortifieds, particularly so-called ?white ports? are what got him hooked on winemaking in the first place.
The favourable weather conditions during the 2015 harvest allowed the fruit to naturally become raisins on the vine, perfect for making this style of wine. Semillon grapes almost left forgotten in the vineyard were combined with 1/3 ripe Riesling grapes producing juice that had a rich raisin-like flavour which was lightly fortified with 100% grape spirit to retain 9.2?Baume sweetness.
Raisin Apera is reminiscent of a sticky Botrytis style with warm honey toffee characters. The burnished gold colour belies the youthfulness of the wine. An irresistible perfumed scent of candied citrus mixed with raisins and a luscious sweet finish. The Riesling component lifts the nose and lightens the palate.
This sweet sherry style wine compliments lighter wine drinking moments either before or after meals. Serve chilled on hot days or over crushed ice. Also a versatile ingredient in the kitchen in sauces, sorbets and cocktails.?Try preparing a sorbet or poach your favourite seasonal fruit in a little of the diluted wine.
Raisin Apera is a new addition to Liebich?s extensive range of fortified wines at Liebichwein cellar door in Rowland Flat. It comes packaged in 375mL bottles, a handy size for travelling.
Exclusive to Cellar Door and Mailing List customers.
We’re absolutely thrilled with results from the Barossa Wine Show 2018. Ron has outdone himself picking up a Trophy for Museum Fortified for the second year in a row. 
