Tim Adams Wines – OUR STORY
From the first vintage to the 40th vintage, this is the story behind our classic Clare Valley winery.
1986 Co-founded by Tim Adams and Pam Goldsack, Tim Adams Wines’ first crush was just 10 tonnes producing some 350 cases (9,000 bottles). Over the next 40 years or so, production has increased to some 50,000 cases, all of it premium Clare valley fruit and over 75% produced by family-owned vineyards.
1987 First vintage of The Aberfeldy – our flagship Shiraz.
1988 Cellar Door opens at Warenda Road, Clare
1994 First vintage of The Fergus
1997 Bayes vineyard, near Penwortham, planted to Riesling and Shiraz. Early morning sun introduces beautiful flavours into the fruit on this site.
2000 Ireland’s vineyard a 12.5 hectare vineyard in Sevenhill was planted to Riesling, Shiraz and Mataro.
2006 International Wine Challenge trophy awarded to 2004 Fergus
2004 First vintage Of Tim Adams Pinot Gris.
2004 Ladera Vineyard, a 11 hectare dry-grown vineyard at our original winery site on Wendouree Road was planted to Pinot Gris and Tempranillo as part of our Alternative varieties programme. The name, which means "slope" or "hillside" in Spanish, was chosen due to its steep, easterly-facing aspect. It grows our premium Pinot Gris and Reserve Tempranillo.
2006 Sheoaks West was established near Watervale, in the southern part of the Clare Valley. It is a dry-grown vineyard (no irrigation) planted to Tempranillo, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Gris. It spans 15 hectares and has a beautiful eastern aspect. The warm summer days and cool nights of the Clare Valley provide an ideal climate for the varieties grown there.
2008 The first release of Tim Adams Tempranillo
2009 Rogers Vineyard - Established in 1979 and purchased by Tim and Pam in July 2009, this 57 hectare property is planted to Shiraz and Semillon. Planted to Shiraz, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Chardonnay and Malbec, it was the source of Leasingham’s legendary Bin 56 cabernet malbec.
2009 International Wine Challenge trophy awarded to 2007 Semillon
2011 Tim and Pam purchased the Leasingham winery (but not the brand) situated at Number 7 Dominic Street in the heart of the township of Clare. This is the place where JH Knappstein set up his first facilities in 1894 and where Mick Knappstein produced outstanding wines during the 1970s, with Tim Adams as his last apprentice.
The classic building now houses the Mr. Mick Cellar Door and Kitchen, a splendid place to settle in and sample the Valley’s pleasures in food and wine.
2011 The Schaefer vineyard, planted around 1990, is the latest addition to the Tim Adams Wines vineyard holdings. This 38 hectare site consistently produces some of Clare’s best Shiraz, along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Riesling.
2014 Skilly Ridge is a 16 hectare vineyard which was added to our portfolio in 2014 is home to Clare Valley’s first planting of Tempranillo. The property also grows a consistent quality harvest of Cabernet, Shiraz, Riesling, Chardonnay, Merlot and Pinot Gris.
2015 Rogers Vineyard planted with Pinot Gris, Grenache, Malbec and Tempranillo.
2016 Tim was recognised as one of Australia’s top ten iconic winemakers in the book - Ten Apostles - Stories of Australia's Iconic Winemakers by David Aylward and Paul Ashton.
2025 Tim Adams Pinot Gris voted ‘Best in Australia’ at the Dan Murphy’s Best in Glass Wine Awards
2025 From the first vintage of just 350 cases, the Tim Adams brand now produces over 50,000 cases annually. Some 75% of this is produced from the family’s eight vineyards, and the remainder from leased vineyards and select contract growers in the Clare Valley. The winery works with local growers dedicated to producing high-quality fruit that meets Tim Adams’ standards.
The years of hard work, passion and curiosity have resulted in a progressive family winery that is committed to creating elegant wines, without forgetting its obligation to the Australian wine industry, environment and wider community.
