Jim Barry Wines

Jim Barry Wines is one of South Australia's most famous wine producers, best known for its premium wines made from Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling. The company's most famous wine is the single-vineyard Armagh Shiraz.

The winery was established in 1959 when Jim and his wife Nancy purchased their first property and vineyards on the outskirts of the Clare Valley. Today the estate owns vineyards in the Clare Valley and Coonawarra, and is well regarded among critics and consumers alike. The Armagh Shiraz regularly scores highly with critics, and the 2010 expression received a near perfect 99+ points from Robert Parker in 2013.

After purchasing their first vineyards in 1959, the Barrys continued to buy plots throughout the Clare Valley, and today have three vineyards in the region: Armagh, Florita and Lodge Hill. The Armagh vineyard has Shiraz planted on original rootstocks in sandy soils with a high content of clay. The Florita vineyard, planted to Riesling, has some of the oldest vines in Watervale while the Lodge Hill vineyard has both Shiraz and Riesling in two separate plots.

The Old Cricket Vineyard in Coonawarra is planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, and as may be inferred from its name, is planted on an old cricket ground. The pitch remains in the middle of the vineyard, and many of the Jim Barry wines have names associated with this cricketing history.