jim barry riesling

Certain names resonate strongly within Australian wine history and Jim Barry is one of them.
It was Jim Barry’s drive that helped shape South Australia’s Clare Valley as a benchmark
producer of world class Riesling and cemented it as one of Australia’s premier wine
regions. Jim was the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, graduating with a degree
in oenology from the prestigious Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947. Founded in 1959,
Jim Barry Wines is still family owned, with three generations of Roseworthy graduates. Jim’s
son Peter became managing director in 1985 and today Peter’s children Tom, Sam and
Olivia are the winemaker, commercial manager and brand ambassador respectively.
Voted ‘2020 Winery of the Year' at the Halliday Wine Companion Awards, they produce
highly acclaimed, award-winning wines.
Vineyard
The Watervale Riesling grapes come from a special part of the famed Florita vineyard in
Watervale, in the Clare Valley. The Mediterranean climate has a high diurnal temperature
difference; the cool nights lead to the preservation of crisp natural acidity and delicate
flavours. The vines are planted on south or east-facing slopes, which are best suited to
Riesling as they are shielded from the hot northerly summer winds, instead they receive the
cooler morning sun. The vines are trained on a single cordon with two bud spurs to
promote even canopy growth, encourage shade and avoid crowding of fruit to reduce
risk of disease. The foliage is managed with a partial VSP to maximise shade on the
northern and western sides of the rows and allow air and dappled sunlight in on the south
and eastern sides. Irrigation encourages even ripening and under-vine mulching inhibits
weed competition and preserves soil moisture.
Winemaking
The grapes were harvested in the cool of the night, to minimise oxidation, phenolic
extraction and preserve the flavours in the juice. The fruit was immediately pressed without
any skin contact and settled for 24 to 48 hours. The juice was racked off its solids and a
cool fermentation took place at 14 - 16°C with selected yeasts, lasting for two to three
weeks. Vinified unintrusively, to allow the Riesling to reflect its origins.
Tasting Note
Mouthwatering aromas of lemon, grapefruit juice, lime and white flowers combine with a
lick of mineral, wet slate. Refreshing and intense, the generosity of flavour shows all the
hallmarks of Watervale Riesling, perfectly balanced by zesty acidity