James manages everything that happens before the wine reaches the glass — the vineyard, the growing, the quiet, relentless work of farming at altitude in a cool climate. As Rowlee's vigneron, he oversees all vineyard operations and winemaking, bringing a methodical precision to a craft that rewards patience. His approach is grounded in the belief that exceptional wine starts in the soil, and his work with the volcanic basalt of Mount Canobolas has earned him a finalist place in the Vigneron of the Year Award at the Orange Wine Show. James is the reason Rowlee's estate fruit became some of the most sought-after in the region long before the label existed and remains the reason it still is.