I don't know about the overwintering part, someone else will have to speak to that. But I know they can be container-grown; we had a rhodie in a container when we lived in Marin County, California. Rhodies have roots at the surface so the best container would be one wider than you might expect -- at least as wide as you expect the plant to be. Then lots of acidic mulch on the surface (pine needles, cedar shavings, etc.) and keep moist.

My guess is the biggest winter issue might be dessication; in a container the soil continues to dry out over the winter, more than you sometimes expect.