2021 The Lodge Hill Shiraz, Jim Barry

The Clare Valley Classic

From the elevated eastern ranges of Clare Valley, this Shiraz combines altitude with precision. The nose opens with spiced blue and black fruits, violet lift and finely judged oak. The palate is vibrant and layered, moving through black plum, blueberry compote and cracked black pepper, with a subtle whole bunch spice adding complexity. Silky yet structured, it carries real energy and detail through to a long, polished finish.

For when: the evening calls for something bold yet refined.
Pairs with: grilled lamb, pepper-crusted steak, or slow-cooked beef.
If this wine were a place: a sunlit hillside vineyard after rain, warm earth and wild herbs in the air.

Certain names resonate strongly within Australian wine history, and Jim Barry is one of them. Widely regarded as a pioneer of the Clare Valley, Jim Barry was the region’s first qualified winemaker, graduating from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1947. In 1959, he founded Jim Barry Wines, helping establish Clare Valley as a world-class wine region, particularly for Riesling and Shiraz.

The Lodge Hill Vineyard, purchased by Jim Barry in 1977, sits on the eastern ranges above the Clare township. Its unique soils of rich loam over fractured rock provide excellent drainage and encourage deep rooting, producing low yielding vines with intense fruit concentration. Today, the winery remains family-owned, with three generations involved, continuing a legacy of wines that combine regional character with precision and longevity.