The release of the Thorn-Clarke brand is the culmination of several decades of careful planning by geologist David Clarke, his Barossa-born wife Cheryl (nee Thorn), their son Sam and daughter Nicole. The Clarke family already has a long history in the Barossa - 6 generations of involvement in the region's world famous wine industry. Cheryl's family owns some of the oldest vineyards in the region. Since the early 1980s they have expanded on this foundation and now have more than 270 hectares spread across all of the Barossa's sub regions: from Mount Crawford in the cool climate south of Truro to St Kitts in the warmer northern Barossa; from the valley floor at Kabininge to Milton Park in Eden Valley. The Clarkes have not rushed the release of their first wines. It has taken a long time to get the vineyards producing - waiting for an optimum vine age to ensure top quality fruit, making the first experimental wines, maturing them in quality French and American oak, then carefully choosing the packaging and labels. The Clarkes take a refreshingly long-term view of their business and their goal is unashamedly to be still growing grapes and making wine for another 6 generations.