Vineyard History
Purchased by Tom and Sam in 2019, the vineyard is home to some of the Clare Valley’s most treasured old vines, with the oldest exceeding 85 years of age. The Watervale Gardeners range features Riesling, Shiraz, and a rare Clare Valley gem—Grenache. While Riesling and Shiraz are hallmarks of the region, the Grenache offers a unique and unexpected expression, showcasing the Clare Valley’s versatility and innovation. Each wine is single-vineyard and shaped by the character and depth that only mature vines can provide. The Riesling captures Clare Valley’s hallmark purity and finesse, while the Shiraz delivers a bold yet balanced elegance. The Grenache, an uncommon highlight for the region, stands as a refined and vibrant testament to the site’s diversity. Every bottle shares a piece of the vineyard’s story, with back labels bringing to life the history of its past custodians. First crafted in 2020 and released in 2025, Watervale Gardeners marries heritage with modern craftsmanship.
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The Watervale Gardeners vineyard, formally known as Churinga, lies between the villages of Penwortham and Watervale, at the southern end of the Clare Valley wine growing region. The story of any parcel of land is very much “the story of the hands that is has passed through”, and the Watervale Gardens vineyard property is currently owned and cultivated by the third generation of the Barry winegrowing family, Tom and Sam.
Early South Australian fruit growing properties - vineyards, orchards or vegetables - were often called ‘gardens’, and those who tended the acres were the ‘gardeners’. As the family ‘backtracked’ the ownership of the land through the various titles, they found the stories of the many ‘hands’ that the land had passed through, and in many instances the owner was listed on the title by name, then by origin and profession as ‘Watervale, Gardener.’ Honouring the custodians of the past and this link between the land, the vines and the wines inspired the creation of the 'Watervale Gardeners.'
