About Thorn-Clarke

The name Thorn-Clarke is the family name and maiden name from founders Cheryl and David Clarke respectively. There is 150 years worth of Barossa history shared between the family, with the first vineyard of David and Cheryl planted in 1987. There were subsequent platings of three more with the Estate having approximately 270 Hectares under vine. The winery is still a family run affair and produces a range of wines that speak of the rich heritage of the Barossa and surrounding regions.

The Vineyards

There are four vineyards that provide the grapes for Thorn-Clarke, with each planted to varieties that provide the best representation of place or 'terroir'.

Mount Crawford Vineyard

The 37 Hectare Mount Crawford Vineyard is one of the coolest vineyard sites in South Australia, which makes it ideal for growing premium white varieties such as Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

Milton Park Vineyard

Located in the Eden Valley, between Angaston and Keyneton, the Milton Park vineyard has an elevation of between 330 and 400 metres above sea level. The 92ha vineyard is made up of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. 

St Kitts Vineyard

The St Kitts Vineyard is located on the Northern Barossa Slopes. Cooler, and with lower rainfall, these Northern Barossa vineyards totalling 108ha, are at an elevation of between 380 and 410 metres. This micro-climate restricts yields and the thin, moderately well developed residual soils overlying marble, schist, Truro Volcanics and Heatherdale Shale, necessitated a careful vineyard layout matching variety to soil type. 

Kabininge Vineyard

Located just south of the town of Tanunda, the 33ha Kabininge vineyard is true Barossa Valley floor terroir. At just 270 metres above sea level and located on dark grey to dark brown carbonaceous soils (known as Bay of Biscay), it is a great location for premium red wine varieties.

About the winemaker

Helen McCarthy is the Senior Winemaker at Thorn-Clarke and has brought a wealth of experience and highly trained palate to the role. Helen has previously worked at Seppelt, Lindemans, Wynns, Penfolds and Taylors giving her experience with a range of fruit and winemaking styles. Helen has completed the highly coveted Len Evans tutorial and is a participant in the Wine Industry Future Leaders program. To top it off she is a certified wine judge and studying for an MBA. With such a highly credential winemaker at the helm the wines of Thorn-Clarke are in good hands.

Varietal Focus & Winemaking 

Thorn-Clarke produce a diverse range of wines that showcase their quality vineyard holdings across Barossa and Eden Valley's. The wines cover all price points and focus on delivering wines that are a reflection of the region and the varieties that represent them.

At the premium end of the range Ron Thorn, and William Randell wines represent the best wines produced by Thorn-Clarke, however there is consistent quality in the Terra Barossa, Sandpiper and Shotfire range. In particular i have enjoyed a number of bottles of the Shotfire Quartage (Bordeaux blend), as a blend it ages well and gains secondary cigar box complexity to go with well defined black fruits.