Jim Barry Clare Valley Assyrtiko

This Assyrtiko has the distinct flavours and provides a true expression of terroir in a similar way to the family's site-specific Rieslings. While the soil and climate of the Clare Valley have imparted their own characteristics, it has remained true to the ideals of Santorini, producing a fresh, crisp, and dry wine with saline characters.

Colour: Clear, palest straw colour in the glass.

Aroma: This wine opens with citrus rind, lemon blossom and a lick of wet slate on the nose.

Palate: Clean mineral, white floral and nice texture through the mid and back with the classic saline edge to finish.

The Assyrtiko cuttings were taken from a single 300-year-old, dormant and pre-phyloxera vine from the Argyros Estate, Santorini, that would, after a couple of years in quarantine, become two mother vines. These two mother Assyrtiko vines became 658 and in 2012, Lodge Hill was selected as the first site in Australia to be planted with the indigenous vines of Santorini. Subsequent plantings have since occured, taking our total plantings to over 6.5 hectares.

Producer

It was Jim Barry’s drive and community spirit that helped shape South Australia’s Clare Valley as a benchmark producer of world class 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 with the 17th Degree in Oenology from 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. He then went on to establish Taylors Wines in 1969.

Wife, Nancy, proved a driving force in the formation of Jim Barry Wines and sons, Peter, Mark & John were involved in the company’s rise. Peter Barry became managing director in 1985.

Today Peter’s children Tom, Sam and Olivia work for Jim Barry Wines as winemaker, commercial manager and brand ambassador respectively. Current custodian’s, Peter & Sue Barry, are deeply proud that Jim Barry Wines is still family owned, with three generations of Roseworthy graduates.

The Barry family name is synonymous with the Clare wine region and their deep ties to the local community continue to this day.

“I first tasted Assyrtiko in August 2006 while on holiday with my wife Sue on the Greek island of Santorini, birthplace of the Assyrtiko grape variety. The crisp, acidic qualities reminded me of our Clare Valley Rieslings and yet it was a flavour I had not experienced before. Intrigued with this newfound variety, I began the process of importing cuttings into Australia through quarantine.

In August 2012 we planted Australia’s first Assyrtiko at our Lodge Hill Vineyard, a special and unique site treasured by my family and suited to this variety. Our Assyrtiko journey has been fascinating and has enabled us to produce a wine which, I believe, is a true expression of the variety. I hope you find the flavours as interesting as I did in 2006.” Peter Barry, Third Generation Family Winemaker.

https://www.jimbarry.com

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