1968 - Len Evans and Murray Tyrrell along with other investors, started the Rothbury Estate. Within its first few years The Rothbury Estate planted more than 300 hectares of vines and commenced building its impressive winery, which was widely regarded as being years ahead of its time aesthetically and functionally. The building was awarded the 'Blackett Award' for a building of outstanding merit, and has become a landmark in the Hunter Valley Wine Country. 1970s - Backed by a wealthy friend, Peter Fox, Len Evans founded the Evans Wine Company. The company acquired Rothbury as well as two small chateaux in Bordeaux and a vineyard in the Napa Valley. However, Fox died when his Ferrari ran off the road in 1981 and his company, Adelaide Holdings, went into receivership. Luckily Rothbury was salvaged and it floated in 1992. Len was Chairman of Rothbury until 1996 and took it from a 10,000 case company in 1972 to one of 650,000 cases in 1996, employing over 200 people. 1996 - Beringer Blass Wine Estates, the global wine division of Foster's Group Limited, acquired The Rothbury Estate in 1996 2000 - Neil McGuigan became Head Winemaker, injecting a fresh and renewed energy into the winery. 2006 - Hope Estate takes over the Foster’s owned Rothbury Estate property. The sale included the 4000 tonne winery, cellar door and adjacent vineyards. As part of the deal Foster’s retained all rights to the Rothbury Estate brand. | 
