Jim Barry Wines is a family winery based in the Clare Valley of South Australia, founded in 1959 by Jim and Nancy Barry. Certain names resonate strongly within the halls of Australian wine history; Jim Barry is one such name. It was Jim Barry’s drive and community spirit that helped shape the Clare Valley as a benchmark producer of world-class Riesling and cemented its place as one of Australia’s premier wine regions. This pedigree continues with the 2024 vintage and harvest that is wrapping up now. Get the inside scoop on the harvest season and upcoming releases from Tom and Sam Barry, the third generation of Barry’s running the winemaking operation.
A Harvest Message from Tom and Sam Barry
Click here to watch the full video about the 2024 vintage on our YouTube Channel
“After 7 weeks, we are reaching the end of our 2024 harvest here in the Clare Valley. A cooler-than-expected growing season meant that the fruit was in pristine condition when we began to pick in mid-February, starting with Riesling.
The Riesling yields were outstanding, with the fruit showing wonderful natural acidity and ripeness at low baumes. Particular highlights include The Florita Riesling and our collaboration with Erni Loosen – the Wolta Wolta Riesling.
Some warm weather at the beginning of March brought along the red fruit, which we have harvested gradually over the past month. Although yields were slightly below average, the grapes had excellent concentration and we expect some powerful, yet refined, Shiraz and Cabernet from this vintage.”
– Tom & Sam Barry
Highly Anticipated Upcoming Releases
The Florita Vineyard
The Florita Riesling
This micro-batch, super-premium Riesling is the fruit of years of patience. Selected from individual vine rows where the terra rosa and loam soils barely cover the deep limestone below. To guarantee the freshness of these precious grapes, they are picked, pressed, and destemmed in the cool night air.
2022 Vintage Press:
[95] James Suckling
“A seriously structured Clare Valley dry Riesling that’s been built for long-term aging. Super focused on the sleek and dangerously energetic palate. The very long, wet stone finish suggests that the patient will be richly rewarded!” October 2022
Contours of The Armagh Vineyard
The Armagh Shiraz
The name ‘Armagh’ was bestowed by the original Irish settlers who arrived in 1849 and named the lush, rolling hills after their homeland. In 1968 the vineyard was planted by Jim Barry and yields less than two tonnes per acre. The soil is sandy gravel and receives an average rainfall of 600mm per year. The vineyard lies on a north-west facing slope which acts as a natural sun trap, ensuring the fruit is always fully ripened when picked.
2020 Vintage Press:
[97] Wine Advocate
“The fruit! This is so good, with less oak more skin, and ductile tannin – really awesome, superior tannin.” May 2023
[97] James Suckling
“This is still eye-poppingly youthful, but the spectrum of blue and black-fruit aromas is already like watching an IMAX movie. Touch of iodine. Amazing interplay of concentrated fruit, fine tannins, and lively acidity give this great brilliance. Super-long finish.” October 2022
Jane Ferrari coming to the US – September 2024!
Jane Ferrari and the iconic Jim Barry Armagh Shiraz
Jane Ferrari is returning to the US for the first time since 2019! She’s been busy working the domestic Australian market for Jim Barry the past few years, and we’re thrilled she’s making it across the pond at the end of the year for market visits.
Jane first met Peter Barry 30 years ago when they were both Oenology students at Roseworthy College. Since then, Jane has been immersed in the Australian wine scene, both on- and off-premise, and is excited to once again represent the iconic range of Jim Barry Wines. Jane was recognized in 2023 by the Wine Communications of Australia with the “Legend of the Vine” award noting her incredible contributions to the Australian wine industry throughout her career.
Connect with your Loosen Bros. USA Sales Director to learn more about Jane’s upcoming visit to the US.
