Bernard Hickin was born in Melbourne on the 13th July 1953. He is married to Carolyn and they have three children, Mark, Michael and John.

He attended Roseworthy Agriculture College from 1971 to 1975 and for the first two years studied Agriculture then specialising in winemaking to obtain a Diploma in Winemaking. This was followed by several management development studies including the University SA Executive Management Programme and a Chinese cultural awareness course.

Bernard has worked in the wine industry for 37 years in various wine making roles, initially in New South Wales before moving to the Barossa in 1989. In 1994 he was promoted to Senior Winemaker at Orlando and in 1997 he was promoted to the position of Group White and Sparkling Winemaker. Bernard developed the Sparkling Portfolio under the Jacobs Creek label in 1998 as well as the Botrytis Semillon Style under the Gramp label. In 2006 he achieved the position of Orlando Chief Winemaker and then became the Global Face behind Jacobs Creek taking over from Philip Laffer in 2010. During the 1990s Bernard also developed oak innovation processes with a focus on French forest sourcing for Orlando wines.

Over the years Bernard has been actively involved as a wine judge at many wine shows including Melbourne, Canberra and the Barossa.

Bernard is a member of the following organisations:
Director International Riesling Foundation based in New York.
Member Wine Barossa Committee of the BGWA Association.
Member Barossa Grape Growers Association.
Member Gomersal Grape Growers Association.
Past Committee Member - ASVO Wine Show Committee.
Wine Judge Royal Melbourne Wine Show.
Senior Panel Member AWBC Export Approval Board.

Bernard is passionate about Barossa and Eden valley wines. In his current role at Orlando he acts as a global ambassador for the Barossa in the USA, Canada, Western Europe and Asia. Since 2001 Bernard has developed and currently manages a family owned vineyard and is currently revegetating indigenous native trees on the farm.