Bob McLean was born in Clare on 27th September 1947. He married Wilma on the 9th March 1974 and they have two children, Adam and Sarah.

Bob joined Orlando Wines in 1972 as one of the first dedicated public relations officers in the Australian wine industry, based in the old Rowland Flat school house. With mentors like Colin Gramp and Guenter Prass, industry leaders of the time, Bob was able to listen, learn and grow with the Barossa. It was during this period of sustainable growth, that the Barossa began its entry onto the world wine stage.

An early marker in Bobs career, and in wine promotion in this country, was the chance to create and stage manage a 25 year retrospective tasting of one wine style (Riesling), one maker (G. Gramp & Son) and one region (Barossa). This was the first time that all the top Australian wine writers had ever gathered for a tasting.

In the late 1970s, the McLeans transferred to Sydney where Bobs brief was to promote the companys presence in the premium table wine market while still maintaining responsibility for Barossa public relations for the company. He initiated trade familiarisation visits back to the original Gustav Gramp cellar in Barossa proving that the apple is always sweeter in the orchard, and even more effective than a day on Sydney Harbour.

From 1985 to 1988, Bob defected to the Adelaide Hills icon winery, Petaluma, for the chance to work with Croser and Len Evans, the most powerful mentor he has ever had.

He returned to the Barossa in 1988 as a co-owner and Managing Director of St. Hallett Wines. They were good times rebuilding vineyards, improving facilities and creating a peak production environment. With Rod Schubert as a graphic guide, the first stages of marketing and selling began taking the wines to the market by treading the boards.

In the ensuing years he travelled the world establishing geographical reference points for Shiraz, Australia and the Barossa.

Bob has now moved from a whole of industry role, to a hands on commitment with Wilma establishing their barr-Eden vineyard on Menglers Hill where they now produce a signature Riesling, Mataro, Grenache and Shiraz from this cooler garden of Eden.

Bob has also been involved in the following committees:
Inaugural Committee The Wine Industry 2020 Vision
Board Member Wine Australia
Director/Board Member South Australian Tourism Commission
Member Inaugural South Australian Wine Food Tourism Committee
Chair Barossa wine and Tourism Association
Chair Barossa Winemakers
Chair BBB/FM Community Radio
Chair South Australian Wine Press Club

Bob passed away in 2015, but not before sharing plenty of stories with Milton Wordley. Read full story here.