Next gen takes over at Jim Barry Wines

The Barry Family: Sam, Peter, Olivia and Tom.

The Barry Family: Sam, Peter, Olivia and Tom.

Succession is never easy or straight-forward and it’s especially not in a rural setting. The news then a new generation has been installed at Jim Barry Wines in the Clare Valley is both positive to hear and a sign of how well this family winery has been, and is, run. It’s no surprise that the wines of Jim Barry right now are arguably in the best shape they have ever been.

After more than 40 years at the helm, Peter Barry will step down as Managing Director and hand over the leadership to his sons, Tom and Sam. Both have been heavily involved in the day-to-day running of the business for the past 15 years, serving as Director of Winemaking and Director of Sales, respectively.

Founded by Jim and Nancy Barry in 1959, Jim Barry Wines remains one of the Clare Valley’s most respected family-owned wineries. It has a reputation for world-class wines, fierce regional pride, and a strong sense of legacy.

Peter Barry, who joined the business in 1977 and became Managing Director in 1985, has been the driving force behind Jim Barry Wines’ national and international success. His leadership has seen the business expand vineyard holdings, deepen its export footprint and build a powerful reputation for both quality and innovation.

“I have enjoyed being focused on a goal of making wines that are respected nationally and internationally and enhancing the reputation of the world-class winemaking area, which I am fortunate enough to call home,” Peter said.

In 2024, Peter was inducted into the Clare Valley Wine Hall of Fame, standing alongside his late father Jim.

Reflecting on the handover, Peter has said: "We’ve never been in the business of standing still. My job, with the wise assistance of my wife Sue, was to build on what Mum and Dad started, and now it’s time for the next generation to do the same. Tom and Sam have worked incredibly hard over the past 15 years, learning all facets of the business, and I couldn’t be prouder and more pleased to pass the baton to them."

Tom and Sam will take on the joint Managing Director role, supported by the leadership team they’ve helped shape over the past five years. They will also continue to lead their respective areas in winemaking and global sales.

“It’s a huge honour to be entrusted with this legacy,” said Sam Barry. “We’ve always felt incredibly lucky to grow up in a family where wine and hard work were shared at the table. Dad and Mum have given us the space to forge our path, and we’re committed to continuing what they and our grandparents started.”

The new leadership will also be supported by sister Olivia Barry, who continues as Brand Ambassador, and Olivia Hoffmann-Barry (Tom’s wife), who leads the company’s marketing efforts as Director of Marketing.

Sam Barry of Jim Barry Wines in the Clare Valley.

Tom Barry of Jim Barry Wines in the Clare Valley.

Campbell Mattinson

This article was written by Campbell Mattinson, founder of The Winefront and mattinson, and former chief editor of Halliday.

When you pick up a wine book and see thousands of top-scoring wines, it’s hard to know which wine to choose. Mattinson guides you through this maze, giving you an honest view of the best Australian wines, the best wine stories, the best wine producers, the best value wines and simply, the best tasting wines. Importantly, Mattinson will tell you about the top-rated wines and also about the underrated wines. In short, Mattinson knows Australian wines inside and out.

Mattinson has been a photo-journalist since 1987. For the past 25 years he’s been a voice that you can trust when you’re looking for the best wines. He’s the only Australian to have won the Australian Wine Communicator of the Year Award more than once. He’s a past winner of a Louis Roederer International Wine Media Award, and is the author of the award-winning book The Wine Hunter. He’s not afraid to put a score beside a wine. But what he’d rather do, is tell you the wine’s story.

https://www.campbellmattinson.com
Previous
Previous

Willunga 100 Grenache 2023 creates history at Australia’s 2025 National Wine Show

Next
Next

New generation takes over at Robert Stein winery