Thorn Clarke
The Barossa Valley, Australia

http://www.thornclarkewines.com.au/

Given our plans to be a premium wine producer well into the future, producing high quality regional wines with character, that also offer our customers value is critical.
From the time our first vineyards were established we have been extremely thorough in ensuring all the ingredients for success were in place. Our four vineyards have all been site selected to ensure we can provide the ideal growing conditions for each variety.
The attention to detail carries through to the winemaking side, with our winery located at the Milton Park vineyard – here at the winery we ensure that our wines over deliver in quality across a number of different price points.
In summary; Regional Barossa and Eden Valley wines, grown on family owned vineyards with the utmost care taken from the vineyards to the bottle. This ensures every time our customers purchase a bottle of Thorn-Clarke wine, they know where it is from, the care taken and the outstanding quality and value offered.

Background ~ The Story

The Thorn-Clarke Philosophy
Our ancestors settled in the Barossa in the 1870′s and for six generations we have been involved in the wine industry. Over those 140 years a lot has changed in the Barossa however many deatures of the region have remained constant, many of the observations over the years have been the foundation for what is today our philosophy.
We take a long-term view of the future, and out goal is to ensure our children and the next six generations inherit a successful, respected, and environmentally sustainable business.
We recognise and value the role that our suppliers, distributors, retailers and customers play in this goal and we seek to develop long-term partnerships based on loyalty, trust and quality.

The Quality Objective
Given our plans to be a premium wine producer well into the future, producing high quality regional wines with character, that also offer our customers value is critical.
From the time our first vineyards were established we have been extremely thorough in ensuring all the ingredients for success were in place.
Our four vineyards have all been site selected to ensure we can provide the ideal growing conditions for each variety.
The attention to detail carries through to the winemaking side, with our winery located at the Milton Park vineyard – here at the winery we ensure that our wines over deliver in quality across a number of different price points.
In summary; Regional Barossa and Eden Valley wines, grown on family owned vineyards with the utmost care taken from the vineyards to the bottle. This ensures every time our customers purchase a bottle of Thorn-Clarke wine, they know where it is from, the care taken and the outstanding quality and value offered.


The Family
The name Thorn-Clarke derives literally from the relationship between two long time Barossa families.
The winery owners are David and Cheryl Clarke (nee Thorn) and their son Sam is manager of the winery.
Cheryl’s brother, David Thorn manages the Mount Crawford and Kabininge vineyards for Thorn-Clarke Wines.
Her father Ron Thorn has one of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in Australia and possibly the world on the Thorn family property
"Clifton"'outside of Angaston. Earliest records show this old vineyard was in existence in 1854.

Family owned
Husband and wife, David and Cheryl Clarke both have deep family roots in the Barossa.
Cheryl Clarke’s family, the Thorn’s, have been grape growers in the Barossa since the 1870's.

David Clarke’s family were pioneers in the Barossa as well but most famously in the mining of gold
from the Barossa Goldfields. One of his ancestors was James Goddard who was the responsible for
opening the Lady Alice gold mine in the Barossa goldfields and which was the largest gold mine in
South Australia at the time.

It has been David’s love of the wine industry that saw the planting of the Kabininge vineyard outside
of Tanunda in 1987. The planting of the Kabininge vineyard represented the start of a deeper involvement
by the family in the Barossa wine industry.

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The People

David Clarke, Owner
David is a vigneron and geologist which has proved a winning combination.
He was formerly the Chairman of Australian Vintage Limited which, until its takeover by Simeon Wines Limited,
was Australia’s second largest listed wine company.

When not working and spending time with the family, chances are you will find David playing,
watching or talking about his favourite sport – Cricket.


Cheryl Clarke, Owner
Cheryl is a vigneron from the family’s fifth Barossa generation.
Cheryl was instrumental in establishing the Mt Crawford vineyard, and succeeded in convincing all,
that Pinot Gris would work at Mt Crawford. The Pinot Gris has worked so well we can’t keep up!


Sam Clarke, Owner & CEO
Sam is a member of our sixth Barossa generation to be involved in the Barossa wine industry.
After having spent several years in various mining towns across the country working as an accountant,
it was time to come home and manage the family winery.

On weekends Sam can be found spending time with his wife Helen and two daughters,
windsurfing or out in a paddock chasing his cattle.


Nicole Clarke, Owner
David and Cheryl's daughter Nicole is busy raising her three children with husband Ken.
But she still finds time to keep up her Mandarin skills which she enjoys using them whenever possible.
Naturally she is our Brand Ambassador for China.


Helen McCarthy, Head Winemaker
Helen has come to Thorn-Clarke after a stint with Southcorp and Taylors.
She is highly credentialed as she completed the Len Evans tutorial and the Wine Industry Future Leader's program
in addition to holding a degree in Oenology from Adelaide University with First honours. She is currently a fully
certified wine show judge and is studying for an MBA.


Anna Broms, Winemaker
Anna has the dual title of longest serving and youngest member of the winemaking team.
She completed a Bachelor of Oenology and Viticulture at Lincoln University in Christchurch, NZ.
She completed two vintage at home before pulling up stumps.  Anna has completed vintage in Oregon,
USA and then saw the light and moved to Australia. Anna has completed three vintages in Australia,
two of which have been with Thorn-Clarke Wines.  She is a highly valued member of the team,
unless of course trans-Tasman rugby or cricket is being played.


Dave Crockett, Viticultural Manager
Dave has spent the past 11 years on vineyards in NSW and SA, studying for a degree in viticulture
through Charles Sturt University along the way. He was part of the management team at Foster’s Barossa
vineyards for 4 years and had 2 years with the management team of Barossa Vines. Married with five boys,
if Dave does have any spare time he enjoys playing guitar or a round of golf.


Ben Chapman, Sales and Marketing Manager
Ben has a strong background in the wine business nowhaving worked previously for Thorn-Clarke,
Rockfords and Angove’s. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious and he is renowned for having
a couple of hours work done before most people are getting started each day – a legacy of his years
as an underage Australian rowing representative.

James Edwards, Market Manager Australia / New Zealand
James has been involved in the wine industry for the past 14 years, in this time he has held
numerous roles within the industry having worked vintages in the Barossa Valley, Hunter Valley and California.
After having developed a strong understanding of the winery and vineyard side of the wine business, James
was lured across to the ‘dark side’ of sales. James has gained experience in retail,
distribution and is proving a valuable addition to the Thorn-Clarke team.
A keen golfer, fisherman and horse racing enthusiast James dreams of owning a Melbourne Cup winner one day!