Wine PR liked her favourite brand so much that she bought it

Wine industry public relations expert Claire Doughty liked the wines under the Tin Shed label so much that she and her partner decided to buy the brand. 

Tin Shed Wines was founded by chef Peter Clarke in 1997, and the first vintage was harvested in 1998. This wine was Single Wire Shiraz, produced using grapes from a low-yielding Eden Valley vineyard.

Now, 25 years later, and after a five-year break in production, the 2021 vintage of the Tin Shed Single Wire wine ($65) has been launched.

It's elegant, savoury, food-friendly and probably worthy of a couple more years in the cellar. 

The re-birth of Single Wire comes along with the brand’s acquisition by Claire Doughty and Daniel Killey, both long-time friends of founder Clarke.

Tin Shed consumers and lovers, the new owners purchased Tin Shed Wines in 2019, allowing Clarke to focus on his other business, legendary Barossa restaurant Vintners Bar & Grill. 

Doughty has worked for BRL Hardy and Yalumba before starting her own PR agency, Brand Warrior, while Killey has worked with Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants International and is now CEO of Pure Wine Co. 

“I was introduced to Tin Shed wines in 2006, and since then, these wines have been on pour in our house," says Doughty, pictured above with Clarke. 

"The story, flavours and personality of these wines resonated, and through the wine community, we became great friends with Clarkey, who is one of the most generous people we know. His staying on as Tin Shed’s winemaker has been instrumental. 

"While he continues to guide the wines, he influences so much more with his industry and wine knowledge, and there’s a reason we call him the master of flavours!

“We have a lot of fun collaborating as we continue to push Tin Shed’s mantra of ‘minimal intervention and loads of attention’."

Tin Shed grapes are all sourced from growers across the Barossa and Eden valleys, using organic and minimal intervention processes - and all are vegan friendly.

The 2021 Single Wire is dark and savoury with quality French oak playing a key role.

The range also includes the 2023 Wild Bunch Riesling [Eden Valley] RRP $28; 2023 All Day Rosé [Barossa Valley] RRP $28, 2022 Lazy Arvo Grenache [Barossa Valley] RRP $32, and 2021 Melting Pot Shiraz [Barossa Valley] RRP $32. 

My favourites for drinking right now are the great value Melting Pot (https://winsorschoice.blogspot.com/2023/12/tin-shed-2021-melting-pot-shiraz.html) and the very slurpable rosé, a delicious summer drink for enjoying well chilled. 

The fruit for this wine comes from one of the most famous names in the region, the Tscharke family. 

For more details see: https://www.tinshedwines.com/