Putting Coonawarra on the Map

Greg Clayfield has joined an exclusive club, inducted as a Coonawarra Vignerons patron at this month’s Coonawarra Vignerons Cup. It as honour handed out to a select few based on sustained commitment to developing the iconic wine region and promoting it at every opportunity.

Greg (pictured right) joins inaugural patron Doug Balnaves, along with Doug Bowen, Wendy Hollick and Bruce Redman and he brings a resume that is the equal of his fellow patrons.

Long time colleague Nick Zema was thrilled the born and bred Coonawarra winemaking icon had been honoured, reflecting on the time Greg spent at Zema Estate. And as with so many things in life – it was all about timing.

“Greg had just finished up at Southcorp and a couple of days later our winemaker Tom Simons informed us that he was moving on from winemaking to move to Victoria and start farming with his family,” Nick said. “We made a phone call straight after that meeting to Greg to see if he was interested in having a chat and the rest is history. We were extremely excited to have Greg on board as not only a close family friend but we also knew first hand his ability as a winemaker.”

And that winemaking ability was well known – not just within the confines of the Coonawarra but nationally and internationally. He might have been creating wine in his own backyard but Greg Clayfield was making wine that was world class.

“Greg’s winemaking skills were never in question and in our eyes he was the best Coonawarra winemaker of our time as the accolades and recognition he received certainly prove,” Nick said. “Greg was also well known internationally and his ability to market Coonawarra and its wines was well recognised.”

Greg being able to take on the Zema Estate chief winemaker role was not just a lifeline for the Zema family but also proved a game changer for the former Southcorp winemaker, whose role at the wine giant had morphed from winemaking to management.

“Greg grew up in Coonawarra and we saw this as a great opportunity to not only allow Greg to get back to what he did so well, but also gave Zema Estate the opportunity to have a winemaker with the experience and knowledge of Coonawarra and its wines like no other,” Nick said.

Detailing why Greg was the perfect choice to be the next patron added to the Coonawarra Vignerons honour roll proved tough – not because of his lack of credentials but because of his endless list of criteria.

“It’s very hard to know where to start really,” Nick said. “Greg was easily the most recognised and respected Winemaker in Coonawarra throughout the early years of Zema from the mid 80s and through the 90s.

“Greg’s wines were awarded the highest accolades nationally and internationally and as a skilful speaker he was a great ambassador for the Coonawarra region.

“Greg was also extremely active in marketing and promoting Coonawarra through a long association with the Coonawarra Vignerons Association as well as a great contributor to the community having been involved in the racing club, pony club and school boards.”

In the early days of Coonawarra really making a name for itself as a quality wine producing region, Greg, along with Bruce Redman, was the only professional winemaker born and bred in the region.

This region was home for the Clayfield family well before a vine was planted on the famous terra rossa soil – he grew up as one of 10 children, completed his schooling at Tenison Woods College and completed his further education at Roseworthy College, graduating in 1977.

It’s hard not to argue winemaking was in his blood – he was only in his 30s when he started receiving industry accolades including two Jimmy Watson Trophies, a Gold Medal at the Bordeaux Vinexpo, numerous Australian trophies and gold medals and then the jewel in the crown, the Robert Mondavi Prize for the International Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London.

That international honour came in 1988 and opened up a world of opportunities but, as he was over his entire career, he was always drawn back to Coonawarra and this month’s honour shows just how much Coonawarra has valued his role in the region’s wine industry.

COONAWARRA PATRONS: (Above) Bruce Redman, Greg Clayfield, Wendy Hollick, Doug Balnaves & Doug Bowe