Jim Barry Assyrtiko 2024

Description

Product Description The Jim Barry Assyrtiko 2024 is a remarkable expression of Australia’s first Assyrtiko, a variety originally from the volcanic soils of Santorini, Greece, now flourishing in the cooler climate of the Clare Valley. This journey began in 2006 when Peter Barry, while holidaying on Santorini, tasted Assyrtiko for the first time and recognised its potential to thrive in the Clare Valley. The family’s commitment to bringing this variety to Australia began with the importation of cuttings from Greece, and in 2012, they planted the first Assyrtiko vines in Australia at their Lodge Hill Vineyard, an elevated site in Clare Valley. This wine has been crafted to reflect the unique terroir of the Clare Valley, producing a wine with a crisp, dry texture, vibrant acidity, and mineral complexity that recalls the volcanic origin of its Greek counterpart. The 2024 vintage of Jim Barry Assyrtiko is a fine example of the variety’s adaptation to Clare Valley, with a delicate balance of citrus, stone fruit, and floral notes. This wine delivers the characteristic freshness and acidity of Assyrtiko, combined with the purity and refinement of the Clare Valley’s cooler climate. Maker Jim Barry Wines is a name deeply woven into the fabric of South Australia’s Clare Valley, a region renowned for its world-class wines. Established by Jim Barry, the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, the winery’s legacy is one of pioneering spirit, innovation, and a commitment to producing exceptional wines. Jim’s journey began in 1947 when he graduated from Roseworthy Agricultural College, and over the following decades, he played a pivotal role in shaping the Clare Valley into a benchmark region for Riesling and premium Australian wines. Jim’s early mentorship from Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi helped solidify the vision for Leeuwin Estate and the Barry family’s future in winemaking. Today, Peter Barry, Jim’s son, serves as the managing director, continuing the family’s legacy of producing site-expressive wines with dedication and precision. Now, three generations of the Barry family work alongside a skilled team to produce outstanding wines from the family’s extensive portfolio of vineyards in the Clare Valley and Coonawarra regions. The estate’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and respect for the land ensures that Jim Barry Wines remains at the forefront of Australian winemaking. Philosophy In August 2006, Peter Barry embarked on a journey that would forever change the course of Australian winemaking. While holidaying with his wife Sue on the Greek island of Santorini, Peter tasted Assyrtiko for the first time, a wine variety that immediately captured his attention. Known for its crisp, fresh acidity and minerality, Assyrtiko reminded Peter of the Clare Valley Rieslings he had worked with for years but with a distinct flavour profile that was uniquely different. Enthralled by its potential, he was determined to bring this ancient grape variety to Australia. Peter’s fascination with Assyrtiko led him to seek out the best way to introduce it to the Australian wine industry. His quest began with an exploration of Assyrtiko wines at the London Wine Fair in 2007, where he tasted as many variations of the grape as he could find. His belief in the variety’s potential to thrive in Australia grew stronger with each encounter. In 2007, after discovering that no Assyrtiko vines had yet been planted in Australia, Peter set out to import cuttings. Thanks to the connections of Konstantinos Lazarakis MW, Peter was introduced to Yiannis Paraskevopoulos of Gaia Wines, a renowned producer of Assyrtiko on Santorini. Together, they travelled to Santorini in February 2008 to source cuttings from a single vine at Argyros Winery, which would become the foundation for Australia’s first Assyrtiko planting. After successfully navigating the strict quarantine process, Peter was able to plant the first Assyrtiko vines at Jim Barry’s Lodge Hill Vineyard in August 2012, marking a historic moment as Australia’s first planting of the variety. By 2014, the vines produced enough fruit to craft their first small batch of Assyrtiko wine. Over the next few years, Peter and his family continued to propagate the vines, expanding their plantings across several vineyard sites in Clare Valley. Peter’s dedication to Assyrtiko has not only introduced a new variety to Australia but also bridged the gap between Greek and Australian winemaking traditions. His journey has