James Brazill Barry (Jim Barry)
Education
Although born in Dulwich (a suburb of Adelaide), Jim was brought up in Murray Bridge until 1937, where he and his brother Brian were taught by the sisters of St Joseph. In 1938 his family moved back to Adelaide and he commenced his secondary education at Christian Brothers College, Rostrevor. During his time there, he was considered to be a good all-round sportsman, as well as rover and forward in Brother Moggs unbeaten champion football team in 1941.
Early Career History
In 1944 Jim Barry commenced his wine career by studying wine science (Oenology) at Roseworthy Agricultural College. For almost a hundred years the highly respected College has been associated with viticulture and winemaking, and is credited as one of the principal reasons for the excellent quality of Australian wine. Jim did his first vintage at Stonyfell Winery in 1945 while continuing to study for his Oenology diploma.
In 1946, as a final year student, he undertook work experience at the Clarevale Cooperative. After graduating at the end of the year as the 17th qualified winemaker to study at Roseworthy, he accepted a position as Clarevale’s winemaker and chemist - the first qualified winemaker to work in the Clare Valley.
Jim & Nancy Barry
Building a Family Business
Jim and Nancy met when he was boarding in Clare while working at the Clarevale Co-operative. He proposed just six weeks later and they were married in 1950.
In 1959 Jim and 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’ first released in 1985.
In 1969, after guiding Clarevale for 22 years, Jim took on the challenge of helping to establish Taylor’s new winery and vineyards at Auburn (originally known as Chateau Clare Estate). He and Nancy also continued to develop their own grape interests and expand the wines under their own label. This success led Jim and Nancy to establish a winery and cellar door sales complex at their north Clare property.
In 1974 the first “home-made” wines were produced at a new winery built on a hill, with a spectacular outlook over the picturesque northern Clare Valley.
In 1977 they purchased the 329 acre (133ha) Lodge Hill property, historically known as Wolta Wolta. One of the highest vineyards in the Valley, it has an austere, cool climate, ideal for producing wine. Along with the house built on the property, Lodge Hill also caters for Jim’s thoroughbred horse stud.
In 1986 Jim Barry’s sons (Mark, Peter and John) purchased the renowned “Florita” vineyard, formerly owned by well-known Australian identity Leo Buring. Celebrated for its superb Riesling grapes, this vineyard now produces the multi-award winning Watervale Riesling.
- Clare River (1989) - opposite the winery at the northern end of the Valley.
- Jacka’s (1995) - adjacent to Clare River
- Limerick and Buzacott (1997) in the renowned Armagh area of Clare
- John Knox Oval (1998) in Coonawarra
The vineyard holdings of Jim Barry Wines now exceeds 200 hectares.
Sadly, Jim passed away in Clare in 2004. Fortunately Nancy continues to play an important role in the everyday running of the business.
Peter James Barry
Peter has presided over many significant developments of Jim Barry Wines’ since becoming Managing Director in 1985.
He undertook his first vintage at the family’s business in 1977 and returned to the winery in 1982 after completing his Oenology Degree at South Australia’s Roseworthy Agricultural College.
He succeeded his father, the late Jim Barry, as Managing Director and embarked on a steady expansion program of the company’s vineyards to the point where Jim Barry Wines now produces all its own fruit from viticultural holdings at 10 locations in the Clare Valley totalling more than 200 hectares, along with a 14 hectare property at Coonawarra.
This access to high-quality, estate-grown fruit has been instrumental in the development of a number of prominent brands, including The Armagh Shiraz, The McRae Wood Shiraz, The Lodge Hill Shiraz, First Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon, The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon, The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon, The Florita Riesling, The Lodge Hill Riesling as well as the Watervale Riesling.
Another of Peter’s achievements is the growth of exports to a level where Jim Barry Wines are available in more than 25 countries throughout the world and 50% of the company’s production is destined for international markets.
While spending as much time as he can in Clare, Jim Barry's international focus means Peter travels extensively, visiting Europe, the United States and New Zealand annually and he tours markets in Australia on a regular basis.
Peter is strongly involved in local winemaking and tourism organisations, including the Clare Valley Winemakers Incorporated where he serves on the Executive Committee. Peter is also the Chairman of the South Australian Wine Industry Association (SAWIA) Export Committee.
Peter and his wife, Susan, have three children – Thomas, Samuel and Olivia. Peter and his family made their home on a 30-hectare vineyard/farm in the Armagh region of the Clare Valley.
Career History
1977 -1978
• Two vintages as a cellar hand at Jim Barry Wines.
1979 -1981
• Studied Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College, following in the footsteps of his father, Jim Barry, who graduated in 1947.
• Completed split vintages at Rothbury in the Hunter Valley (with David Lowe) and Bilyara in the Barossa Valley (Wolf Blass).
1982
• Returned to the family winery and took on the responsibilities of viticulture and marketing.
1985
• Took over as General Manager of Jim Barry Wines from his father.
• Developed The Armagh Shiraz in collaboration with all family members.
• Took on the first of three two-year terms (1984-1986, 1986-1988, 2002-2004) as Chairman of the Clare Valley Winemakers Inc, making him the longest-serving Chairman since the formation of the CVWI.
• Also involved in the development of the Clare Gourmet Weekend.
1986
• Purchased the renowned Florita vineyard from Leo Buring, along with brothers Mark and John.
• Established an alliance with Negociants International to distribute Jim Barry Wines around the world.
1992
• Developed The McRae Wood Shiraz with fruit sourced from the Armagh Vineyard.
2000
• Developed the First Eleven Cabernet Sauvignon with 100% of the fruit sourced from the Old Cricket Ground vineyard in the Coonawarra.
2001
• Developed The Cover Drive Cabernet Sauvignon from fruit sourced from the Clare Valley and from the Old Cricket Ground vineyard in the Coonawarra.
2001 -2002
• Developed The Lodge Hill Riesling and Shiraz with fruit sourced from the Lodge Hill Vineyard.
2002
• Developed The Benbournie Cabernet Sauvignon from 100% Clare Valley fruit.
2004
• Developed The Florita as a super premium Riesling sourced from The Florita vineyard’s best parcels of fruit.
• Developed the Three Little Pigs Shiraz Cabernet Malbec.