VINTAGE ADVANTAGE

Along with its world-renowned reds, South Australia is known for producing high- quality cool- climate wine varieties such as riesling. In an often warm climate, energy-efficient refrigeration is a critical part of the winemaking process, as Sean McGowan reports.

The Barry name has been synonymous with South Australia’s Clare Valley since Jim Barry became the first qualified winemaker in the region when he graduated from the famous Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947.

Helping shape the Clare Valley wine region –a little over an hour north of Adelaide – Jim Barry worked for 22 years as a winemaker at the Clarevale Co‑operative. During this time, he became a pioneer of Australian table wine before forming Jim Barry Wines with wife Nancy. Soon after, sons Peter, Mark and John became involved in the company’s rise, with Peter becoming managing director in 1985. Today, Jim Barry Wines remains proudly family owned and operated.

Peter’s children Tom, Sam and Olivia work as General Manager, Commercial Manager and Brand Ambassador respectively, and three generations of the family are now Roseworthy graduates.

As well as producing award winning reds such as shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, Jim Barry Wines is known for its cool climate rieslings, made predominantly with grapes from two special vineyards nearby.

The 32 hectare Florita Vineyard, located 15km south of the Clare township, features gently rolling hills and shallow loamy soils. It is dominated by 50 year old riesling vines that have produced famed Watervale rieslings since the 1960s.

The 133 hectare Lodge Hill Vineyard, to Clare’s east, has seen riesling vines grown on its southern slopes since they were first planted in 1979. The morning