Rockford Stonewall Room - Sunday 12th Jan 2014

[Newk]

As a side note, how do us mere mortals become a stonewaller in the first place?

1) Be on the Rockfords mailing list, make regular purchases, wait your turn for a place to come up. I suspect that there is some discretion in the process.

2) be a mate of Robert's (LOL that will probably be denied but I know one person who claims that this happened)

The stonewallers group has been an enormous part of Rockfords success. It would be a great study for business or marketing types


edit to add: like Buzz below I've been signed up to Rockfords since the mid 1980s....more luck than good management. I just stumbled upon the place one day driving around the Barossa. The stonewall lunch which I have only done once is an amazing experience and well recommended. MAYBE Buzz and I could organise one of these. But as some may have noticed, I'm not much of an organiser

 

[Buzzard]

As a side note, how do us mere mortals become a stonewaller in the first place?

I think Newk has pretty well nailed it.

The only reason I am a Stonewaller is because I have been a customer since ~1985 when Robert was first starting out.
He didn't even make Basket Press then but an incarnation called Dry Pressings.

As his business grew but supply was limited, he set up the Stonewall group as a way to reward those loyal followers by giving them first dibbs at buying his wine. From that followed the original Stonewall tasting room and now the current Stonewall room.

It is still a pretty guarded thing. I rang one day to book a tasting, all ok, but then I could not attend. My daughter was one of the group and they were still not allowed into the Stonewall room as I was not present. Bit over the top?

 

[RooFlyer]

Soon after I moved to Adelaide in 1992, I did the usual thing and went on a tasting crawl with some friends around the Barossa to see what I would adopt. Never heard of Rockford; drove past looking for Henschke and thought we'd drop by.

We were greeted in the very quaint tasting room by a large lady who was tremendously exuberant and who insisted that we taste everything, with large seconds on the ones we liked (as in: "Here have some more, you need to be sure about these things!"). Never seen tasting bottles tipped so enthusiastically!

Hook, line sinker.

Been buying ever since. Basket Case for putting away, Rod and Spur or Rifle Range for quaffing, White Frontignac for summer

Can't remember when Stonewaller came in, but I treasure it somewhat like an MCG membership.

I recall Robert O'C's repeated entreaty when he used to pen the Rockford Rag: "Don't tell any of your friends about Rockford. Supplies are limited and if they get any, that's less for everyone else!" I think everyone going on the 12th should sign a non disclosure agreement :mrgreen:

 

[penegal]

Awesome, I shall make sure I "sign-up" on Sunday



Also, I will be in Adelaide from tomorrow morning, so if anyone is around and wants to grab a drink or share a meal on Friday or Saturday, just let me know...

Friday night drinks anyone?

 

[Deleted User]

Awesome, I shall make sure I "sign-up" on Sunday



Also, I will be in Adelaide from tomorrow morning, so if anyone is around and wants to grab a drink or share a meal on Friday or Saturday, just let me know...

Friday night drinks anyone?

Happy to do lunch tomorrow or after work drinks...? Cant do tomorrow night as Mrs Shintaro is having a girls night out and I have to stay home and look after shintaro10x Jnr and the shintaroette's

 

[Anna]

I could do a Friday night drink. Apparently Peel St is where the cool people go at the moment. Clever Little Tailor?

 

[Newk]

I could do a Friday night drink. Apparently Peel St is where the cool people go at the moment. Clever Little Tailor?

That's one of the reasons I'm on AFF...to learn where the cool kids hang out.

My daughter is also a good source of knowledge

 

[penegal]

Clever Little Tailor?

Unfortunately it appears to be closed

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?...=a.198031280379799.1073741829.103558469827081

 

[Anna]

Unfortunately it appears to be closed

At least someone worked that out before we turned up this time

There are some bars on Leigh St also. I will try googling them.

 

[penegal]

I have started another thread for the Friday drinks, so we don't clog up this thread...

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....adelaide-drinks-dinner-friday-10-a-56884.html



I suspect most will just come for one or two drinks after work, but that is fine by me. You all should have my mobile, so feel free to text or call

 

[Buzzard]

All confirmed with Des's Mini Buss.

Pick up at 0900hrs outside the Convention Centre on North Terrace, at the bottom of the escalators.

If anybody does not have it and would like my mobile number just in case, please send me a PM.
Stalkers welcome.

 

[Deleted User]

What is the dress standards for this event...? Or what's everyones vest size

 

[Buzzard]

What is the dress standards for this event...? Or what's everyones vest size

I'm a size 10....... a large size 10

 

[Daver6]

FYI - Just had lunch in the Barossa and went past Rockford. In some good news, they have 2008 Basket Press magnums going for $180. Open to all, but limited to one per person. Just turned up today apparently.

 

[holdenmg]

Hi,

If you happen to have a spare place, I'd very much like to come along on Sunday.

Send me a PM.

Cheers,
Malcolm Holden

 

[Deleted User]

Hi,

If you happen to have a spare place, I'd very much like to come along on Sunday.

Send me a PM.

Cheers,
Malcolm Holden

Hi Malcolm

Unfortunately I believe this event is at capacity numbers already... but please keep an eye out for the next ADL event...

See you at the next ADL event someday soon...

Shintaro10x

 

[medhead]

I had a bit of a :idea: moment in the shower this morning getting ready for the day's flying. This event reminds me of all the good things about South Australia that balance out my usual rants about other stuff. Mainly that it is a well thought out and refined style of event, with fine food and wine and even mornos has been included. There is also the giving nature of the offers associated with the event. In particular, offering to give up personal access to wines that are simply unobtainable by mere mortals. How many years have I visited Rockfords to buy some black shiraz only to be told "you're 2 weeks too late", or "too early", or any other reason? Too many! It just highlights the great generosity that exists in South Australians. The reason I don't push SWMBO, too hard, about moving back to my home - Queensland.

 

[Buzzard]

It's just unfortunate that some don't see the generosity being offered and assume it's a commercial grab without having the courtesy to first ask.
At least the wine won't leave a sour taste in your mouth.

 

[penegal]

Looking forward to it

I will need to rise a little earlier than I did today, but the gold old "magic" button should help with a wake up call.

 

[Deleted User]

If its a day like today, its going to be a fantastic event...! Perhaps if its too warm we might have to skip the coffee and find somewhere for a quick tipple