In 1892 Henry Richardson, one of the earliest Coonawarra pioneers, purchased land from the region's founder John Riddoch, establishing a vineyard and winery. For half a century, the property supplied wine to other companies and merchants. With the inaugural release of a Cabernet Sauvignon wine in 1954, the Rouge Homme label began to attract it's own fame. Richardson's Block Dry Red claimed the ultimate accolade when it claimed the Jimmy Watson. Occupying about sixty hectares, the viticulture and winemaking facilities are amongst the most modern and sophisticated in all Coonawarra. Rouge Homme is matured in a combination of French and American oak barrels for up to two years.