Robert Bond is the estate's winemaker, a graduate in oenology from Charles Sturt University. His philosophy is firstly; that good wines come from quality grapes grown in carefully tended vineyards, and secondly; that wines take time to develop and thus, the wine making process cannot be rushed. Fruit is sourced from the Swan Valley vineyard and carefully selected growers located in Mt. Barker, Margaret River and Pingelly. Each of these sites have climatic and regional characteristics that enhance the diversity of wine styles produced.

The new wine making complex was used for the first time during the 2003 vintage. Prior to that, wine making had occurred since 1993 in the older (but very quaint) tin shed across the road. Looking at it now, one wonders how all the wine making equipment and the wine maker fitted in!

There is now ample room for storage and fermenting tanks, presses, crushers, filters, pumps and all necessary wine making equipment and tank space to expand production to 150 tonnes of fruit over the next 5 years. For the 2004 Vintage a new Diemme de-stemmer/crusher and air bag press was purchased.  This equipment has facilitated another step forward in wine quality.  This equipment processes fruit in a much gentler manner minimising the release of compounds from skins, seeds and stems unless so desired. The management of this phenolic extraction is an important component of modern winemaking. 

In the winery, Robert's aim in wine making is to express regional and RiverBank vineyard characters, producing wines that are enjoyable to drink. Robert uses specific wine making techniques to ensure the wines are varietal in character and distinct in style.

Send a request for more information about RiverBank Estate wines here.