Domaines Jacques Thienpont buys into Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard

This is a fascinating, and arguably important, acquisition in anyone’s language. Domaines Jacques Thienpont – the owner of Le Pin in Pomerol, L’If on the limestone plateau of Saint-Émilion, and L’Hêtre in Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux – has today acquired select parcels of the Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard in McLaren Vale from Jackson Family Wines.

The Clarendon Vineyard is one of McLaren Vale’s most historic and respected sites. This acquisition includes 22 hectares, nine hectares of which are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, and Shiraz.

Effectively then we have a major Bordeaux-based producer buying into an outstanding McLaren Vale vineyard. This is particularly interesting given that Domaines Jacques Thienpont is currently developing Pocket Gully as an Adelaide Hills estate. These parcels of the Clarendon Vineyard will become part of the Pocket Gully endeavour.

“Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard is an extraordinary site with a rich history,” fourth-generation winemaker, Georges Thienpont, said. “As relative newcomers to the region, we are honoured to become stewards of these select parcels and are committed to preserving their integrity."

Chris Jackson of Jackson Family Wines was equally enthusiast about this Thienpont move. “These are exceptional vineyard blocks, and we are pleased to see them entrusted to one of the world's great wine families. The Thienponts share our commitment to quality and stewardship, and together we look forward to further elevating the reputation of the vineyard on the global stage.”

The Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard was planted by the Hickinbotham family in 1971. The property has been owned by Jackson Family Wines since 2012.

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