Welcome to Axiom Wines

History

The Company – TWM Wine Consultancy

TWM Wine Consultancy was formed by Stephen and Cathy Clarke over twenty five years ago to produce contract wines of consistent quality, and to offer expert technical knowledge and advice to the wine trade.

Originally based in York, England, the company consulted in several countries such as the Republic of Macedonia, with a focus on producing modern wine styles suitable to current markets.

Now based in Adelaide, the company produces wines from the surrounding regions and consults to local winemakers, but retains overseas links and consultancy contacts.

Stephen Clarke

Now in a senior winemaking and educational role at the University of Adelaide, Stephen Clarke retains a passion for making his own wine, and in 2004 finally put his own name to the wines marketed under the Axiom label.

Stephen was born in England and emigrated to Australia in 1970 with his parents. After graduating from high school in the northern suburbs of Adelaide he worked temporarily in the chemistry department of the Roseworthy Agricultural College. He began working in the wine industry in 1978 as a laboratory technician at Stanley Leasingham in the Clare Valley in South Australia.

This experience confirmed Stephen’s passion for making wine, and by 1983 he had completed the degree in Oenology at the Roseworthy Agricultural College. Graduate experience at Peter Lehmann winery in the Barossa Valley and Torresan’s winery in the Southern Vales led to the position of Assistant Winemaker at Thomas Hardy and Sons in Reynella, South Australia. Rapidly promoted to more senior positions, he specialised in sparkling wine for many years.

In 1989 Stephen moved from Australia with his own family, establishing a home in York in the north of England. In what he describes as “an apprenticeship in the international wine trade” he worked for Winerite, a wine importer and distributor. Though enjoying the winebuying and quality control experience, his strong need to make wine led him to establish TWM and begin his consultancy career.

Stephen has made wine in regions as diverse as the Robertson region of South Africa, the Alsace and Burgundy regions of France, the Odessa region in the Ukraine and the Shumen region of Bulgaria. For over six years he worked in conjunction with the Povardarie winery in Macedonia, each year enjoying the accolade of the most successful winery in Macedonia’s National Wine Exhibition.

Stephen believes his extensive international experience brings an intimate knowledge of the countries and styles of origin of today’s modern wine market.