After a remarkable journey full of twists and turns, Clare Valley wine producers Black Shed Wines are set to launch their first vintage and kick start their trade in one of Australia’s most renowned wine regions.
Introducing Kit and Linda Black, the inspiring couple entering the next chapter of their forty-year partnership by launching Black Shed Wines. Following successful careers in the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors around Australia and abroad, Linda and Kit moved to Clare in early 2020 and settled into their stunning property, eager for another career change rather than simply retiring to the country.
“Where better to move to than Clare if you have aspirations to participate in the wine industry!”, said Kit.
With 75 acres of farming land – including 20 for the vineyard – the site offers panoramic views to the north and east of one of Australia’s premier wine growing regions. They spent the first two years rehabilitating the vineyard and planting 4,500 Shiraz vines, with a plan to sell their grapes to local wineries and prepare a ready market for their Riesling.
Then, in April 2023, catastrophe struck. A lithium battery in their carport spontaneously exploded in the early hours of a Saturday morning. Luckily, the intensity of the explosion was enough to startle Linda and Kit awake, and they were able to escape the house in one piece.
“Within 5 minutes the whole house was ablaze”, remembers Kit, “The [Country Fire Service] from most local communities attended within 20 or so minutes and worked tirelessly to prevent the spread of the fire to neighbouring farm land, our sheds and vineyard. We remain eternally grateful to all the local CFS volunteers, police and ambulance crews that attended the fire and its aftermath.”
While the house and its invaluable contents were destroyed, Kit, Linda, and their dogs were unharmed. Aided by their family and determined to rebuild their lives, the couple purchased a tiny black house and converted an existing shed into an apartment while they contemplated their future.
The Black Shed logo, pictured below, is a tribute to many things: the owners’ family name, the landscape, the sturdy, defined structure of the shed, and the rolling vines of Clare Valley. The design, by local agency Black Squid, also echoes the corrugated iron, warped and bent by fire, as well as rising smoke, symbolising Linda and Kit’s resilience in the face of disaster.
The vision, according to Kit, “is to produce high quality wine from grapes grown on our property. To make it available through direct sales to wine lovers, friends and family who are seeking wine that embodies a true vineyard to glass experience”.
The 20-acre vineyard features 20 rows of Riesling vines to the west and 20 rows of Shiraz to the east. Situated about 430 metres above sea level, the vineyard is set in a picturesque setting that Linda and Kit “never tire of looking at after a long day’s work”.
In 2023/24, the duo decided to investigate the option of using red grapes to make a medium-bodied Shiraz. To hatch this plan, they sought out the expertise of celebrated winemaker Colin McBryde, who agreed to make a small batch of Shiraz from the 2024 vintage.
After being together for nearly forty years, Kit and Linda make quite the dynamic team and have a “pretty clear idea of each other’s capabilities.” Raised on a farm, Kit tends to look after the vineyard, while Linda manages design, marketing, and client liaison.
“We have pretty much worked out how to reach consensus on critical decisions. Largely by not overlapping too much on our contributions to the business.”
Currently, Black Shed Wines are making a medium bodied Shiraz and are interested in producing a Riesling in future vintages. Their 2024 Clare Valley Shiraz will be sold for $28 a bottle, with bulk options including $155 for a carton of 6 and $300 for a carton of 12.
For the time being, they’re only licensed for packaged liquor sales, but they plan to develop curated tasting experiences and hope to become involved with the local community as a hub for tourism, education and social gatherings.
The Black Shed Wines website is currently in development, and they plan to launch an Instagram account this December.
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