Liebich Family Timeline

Learn more about how our winery got its start, and how it has grown.

Our Australian Wine story

Liebichwein is a family business dedicated to continuing family tradition. Ron and Janet’s love of wine has kept the Liebich family making wine in Barossa Valley for over three generations.

1919

After the Great War (WWI) Ron’s grandfather, Benno Liebich then aged 28, established Rovalley Wines in southern Barossa at Rowland Flat. During this time there were no more than 20 wineries in the Barossa. 16 have become well known names, and only a handful are still operating today – Yalumba, Penfolds, Saltram, Seppelts.

1941

Benno Liebich passed away leaving his three sons Alwyn “Lofty”, Clarence “Darkie” and Mick to oversee the Rovalley family business including vineyards and winemaking.

1960s

Rovalley Wines grows in size to 650 acres and early wines are made under labels such as ‘Hillside Wine’. Bulk wine and glass 2L flagons of fortifieds were more popular than table wines.

1969

Third generation, Ron Liebich, graduated with an oenology degree from Roseworthy College. Clarence Walter “Darkie” Liebich planted alternating rows of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon that would become “The Darkie” and “The Lofty” wine labels.

1970s

Ron started taking over winemaking from “Uncle Darkie” producing Rovalley table wines bottled under cork and screw caps for whites and dry reds. Sparkling Charmane became popular.

1976

Clarence Walter “Darkie” Liebich was inducted as an inaugural Baron of the Barossa.

1980

Ron developed Rovalley Cobweb Port which became a popular easy drinking Tawny blend all around South Australia

1985

The family business – Rovalley Wines was sold enabling Ron and Janet to purchase their own property on Steingarten Road in Rowland Flat.

1990

Ron & Janet started planting vineyards on their own property including Merlot.

1992

Liebichwein cellar door opened in Rowland Flat.

1993

Riesling Traminer won a trophy for best sweet white at Barossa Wine Show

1996

The first vintage of our flagship “The Darkie” Shiraz was released as a tribute to Ron’s uncle. Many other labels are named after Liebich family members. The first settler on the property in the 1860’s has been honoured e.g The Potter’s Merlot and The Lofty Cabernet is named after Ron’s father.

1997 - 2000

More estate vineyards were planted including Shiraz, Muscat, Red Frontignac.

2008

A celebratory dinner to showcase a decade of “The Darkie” Shiraz was held in the Liebichwein barrel shed.

2012

Release of 20th Anniversary Tawny from wine stored in barrels found supporting the redgum bar in Liebichwein cellar door.

2017 - 2018

Trophies – Rare Tawny (Best of class museum red fortified) and Best White Museum Fortified won at Barossa Wine Show.

2019

Celebrated 100 years of Liebich family winemaking in Barossa Valley.