MR MICK

Mr Mick helped put the Clare Valley and Riesling on the Australian wine map. He once said there are two types of people in the world: those who were born in Clare and those who wish they had been. Mr Mick loved the region and was a pioneer grower of varieties such as Riesling, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Clare Valley is now acknowledged for producing some of Australia’s greatest wines. In 1987 Mr Mick received an Order of Australia for services to the wine industry.

Mr Mick is a legend within the Australian winemaking industry. One of Mr Mick’s passions in life was to make wines for everyone to enjoy, a tradition his last apprentice, local winemaker Tim Adams, continues in his name. Today Tim and his wife Pam are proud custodians of this landmark property.

Tim Adams

Tim Adams As the son of a bank manager who favoured rural postings, Tim Adams' formative years were spent in the township of Clare in South Australia's Clare Valley. As a Clare Valley lad growing up among pioneering grape growers and winemakers, it was no surprise that in his final year of school Tim eschewed studying in favour of writing to Clare Valley wineries seeking employment. The recipient of one such letter was Mr Mick Knappstein at the Stanley Wine Company, which led to Tim securing a position as winery cellar hand in 1975. A fortuitous beginning for Tim, who found himself mentored by a revered pioneer of the modern Australian wine industry. Mr Mick retired in 1985 after 57 years at the winery, and in 1987 was awarded an Order of Australia for services to the wine industry. With encouragement and financial assistance from Mr Mick, Tim undertook a Bachelor of Applied Science (Wine Science) at Charles Sturt University via correspondence. Graduating in 1981, Tim was by that time assistant winemaker and the following year was appointed winemaker, responsible for day-to-day operation of the winery, which then employed as many as 60 people.