James joined the Board of Barossa Co-op in 2019 and has supported the business’s rebranding and external communication strategies. His dedication to member and community engagement, along with developing ways to respond to a constantly changing retail landscape, has been a consistent theme in his participation on the Board’s strategic planning and his support of the executive team to encourage thinking and action in response.
Deep involvement in the domestic and international wine industry has shaped James’ career as an executive with a lasting bond to the Barossa region. James is the General Manager of Rockford Wines, and prior to that, he was the Chief Executive of Barossa Australia for eleven years, having previously led the organisation’s marketing and communications since 2010.
James completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Adelaide before spending six years overseas, working vintages in Germany and Portugal. Prior to joining Barossa Australia, he worked for three years with Wine Australia across communications and market development, and helped initiate and deliver the Landmark Australia Tutorials. He also gained experience in wholesale, retail, and wine management in London. Returning to Australia in 2004, he authored ‘The Winemakers’ Essential Phrasebook’, a multilingual guide to working vintages around the world. While involved with the region’s peak industry body, he served as a Director and Vice-Chair of Australian Grape & Wine for seven years, as Chair of the Small Winemakers’ Committee, and as an Executive Committee member of the South Australian Wine Industry Association for nine years.
