Tom Barry
RAISING THE STAKES
Through his impeccable Rieslings and intensely flavoured reds, winemaker Tom Barry is taking an influential Clare Valley winery to the next level.
Tom Barry is the third generation in his family to run the winemaking at Jim Barry Wines. Jim was his grandfather, the first qualified winemaker in the Clare Valley, and over the years the Barry family has become synonymous with the Clare Valley wine region. All three generations have worked hard to put the region on the world wine map. Alongside his siblings and wife Olivia, who works in exports and marketing, Tom is shaping the future of this much-loved winery.
An evolving education in wine
Tom knew he wanted to join the family business from a young age. He spent boarding school holidays out in the vineyard or helping in the winery. And as his interest in wine grew, so did his passion for Riesling – one of the most important varieties in the Clare Valley.
As a budding winemaker, Tom embarked on a Riesling odyssey, working vintages in renowned Riesling regions of Germany and Austria. Now, following in his grandfather and father’s footsteps, Tom is raising the bar at Jim Barry Wines. He’s taken their signature Riesling wines to the next level, added to the lineup of red wines and is helping to lead the business into the future.
“You’re only as good as your last bottle,” says Tom. “We’re always trying to improve and take things up another notch and just keep pushing Jim Barry Wines further.”
Combining family tradition with innovation is an approach that’s paying off. In 2019, Jim Barry Rieslings won six gold medals at the Clare Valley Wine Show – a rare achievement. The winery was also named the 2020 Halliday Wine Companion Winery of the Year.
When he was still in his 20s, Tom won Gourmet Traveller WINE Young Winemaker of the Year. Now in his 30s, he’s broadened his horizons. While guiding the winemaking at Jim Barry, Tom also gets adventurous through his side project, Clos Clare, which he runs with his younger brother Sam. It’s a boutique label and they keep things small, focusing on Riesling, Grenache and Shiraz, but experiment with techniques and styles.
“I think the best thing about being a winemaker is you’re always running trials,” says Tom. “You keep learning all the time, and if you think you know everything, I think you’re done.”
“You’re only as good as your last bottle. We’re always trying to improve and take things up another notch.” – Tom Barry
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