JIM BARRY

The late Jim Barry was a pioneer of the Australian wine industry and was the first qualified winemaker to work in the Clare Valley. In 1959 Jim and his wife, Nancy, purchased their first property and vineyards on the northern outskirts of Clare. The property was part of the original estate of Edward Burton Gleeson, founder of Clare, and known as Burton Cottage.

In 1964, they purchased 70 acres of prime river flats from Duncan McRae Wood in the Armagh area of Clare. This property would go on to be the foundation of their red wine production – including the world renowned 'The Armagh' which was first released in 1985.

In 1974, the first "home-made" wines were produced at a new winery built at their north Clare property with a spectacular outlook over the picturesque Clare Valley.

Today, the company is headed by Jim's second son, Peter, who took over from his father as Managing Director.

Certain names resonate strongly within the halls of Australian wine history. Jim Barry Wines is one of those names. It was Jim Barry’s drive and community spirit that helped shape South Australia’s Clare Valley as a benchmark in the world of Riesling and cemented its place as one of Australia’s premier wine regions. Jim Barry Wines has a strong lineage. Jim himself was the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, graduating as the 17th student to gain a Degree in Oenology at the famous Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947. Working for 22 years as winemaker at the Clarevale Co-operative, Jim Barry became a pioneer of Australian table wine and helped Taylors Wines establish in 1969.