Jim Barry Assyrtiko 2024

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 been one of persistence, passion, and innovation, as he nurtured a variety that had never been grown in Australia. Through his efforts, Peter has created a wine that combines the crisp, mineral-driven character of Assyrtiko with the unique terroir of the Clare Valley, producing a wine that is not only distinctive but also a testament to Peter’s vision and commitment to advancing Australia’s wine industry.