Tim Kirk on Wine, Terroir, and the Art of Paying Attention

Send us Fan MailEvery so often, a wine brand rises above the rest—its quality, reputation, and influence extending far beyond the bottle. Clonakilla, led by the Kirk family for two generations, perhaps soon to be three, is one such name. Their iconic Shiraz Viognier has firmly secured its place among Australia’s greatest wines, while the rest of the Clonakilla range continues to showcase the unique terroir of Murrumbateman with remarkable precision.At the heart of it all is Chief Winemaker Tim Kirk, a true Australian wine icon. Despite his own insistence that he has no formal winemaking qualifications, his wines tell a different story—one of mastery, intuition, and a deep connection to the land. Tim believes that wine is about stopping and paying attention—an invaluable skill in our fast-paced world.Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Tim to discuss the Kirk family's journey from Ireland to Australia, their bond with the land they now cultivate, and the philosophy behind their winemaking. It’s a conversation that, much like Clonakilla’s wines, illustrates Tim’s depth of character. A huge thanks to Tim for joining me. Support the show