Pontifex Wines

Sam Clarke is the son of David and Cheryl Clarke, founders of Thorn-Clarke Wines, a leading Barossa Valley winery (see separate entry). Thus it was easy for the family to meet Sam and wife Helen's wish to buy a 6ha slice of shiraz planted in 1991. For good measure, Peter Kelly (Thorn-Clarke's winemaker) is the winemaker for the venture. After 6 years, Pontifex (as the new venture was named on its birth in 2011) planted a hectare of mourvèdre and grenache on the rich Bay of Biscay soils of the Krondorf district. They also purchase old-vine grenache. Exports to China. -JAMES HALLIDAY