Clare Valley’s Seed bistro, rooftop bar and deli, closes for good

A beloved Clare Valley dining destination has closed suddenly, shocking devotees as its owners blame Covid, rising costs and a staffing shortage.

Clare Valley dining drawcard Seed has closed.

The restaurant, first opened in 2014 as Seed Winehouse + Kitchen, reopened in bigger, renovated premises in early 2021 as the renamed ‘Seed’ – a bistro, rooftop bar and deli, described as a “game-changer for a regional town”.

Owners Guy Parkinson, Sam Maitland and Candice Leighton took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to share the news, blaming the Covid pandemic for its demise.

“We deeply regret to inform you that Seed Clare Valley will be ceasing trade, effective immediately, and has entered into voluntary liquidation,” they wrote.

Guy Parkinson and Candice Leighton in the original Seed Kitchen and Bar at Clare. Picture: Matt Turner.

“Opening a new venue is always a huge undertaking – however, as it did for so many businesses, Covid presented us with a raft of challenges we could never have anticipated.

“Unfortunately, these challenges have also recently been compounded by increased operational costs and overheads, plus a regional staffing shortage, and have contributed to the difficult decision we have had to make today.

“We are incredible thankful for the support of all our customers and staff over the past nine years, and we appreciate your understanding during this time.”

The Seed story begins nine years ago, when then-couple Guy (chef) and Candice moved to Clare from Newcastle, NSW, and took over an old chaff mill in the town’s main road.

They shut shop in 2020 to move into a bigger building a few blocks down – in the town’s former Commonwealth Bank – taking a bit more than a year to renovate the space while operating a pop-up diner called Seed Street.

Outside Seed at Clare Valley. Picture: Lewis Potter

Pumpkin gnocchi at Seed, Clare Valley. Picture: Lewis Potter

Seed reopened in stages in early 2021 – first the rooftop bar, then the bistro – and last year made the delicious. 100 list of best restaurants in South Australia.

In his latest review of Seed, SAWeekend restaurant reviewer Simon Wilkinson praised Guy and Candice as the “linchpins of the region’s dining revival”.

“The young employees they have mentored have helped lift standards across the Valley,” he continued. “In a small town like Clare, it’s not overstating things to say Seed changes the dynamic.”

Nearly 80 people commented on Seed’s Instagram post Wednesday night, expressing shock and sadness.

“This is so sad for us as a family and the entire community,” SA food identity and 2023 South Australian Woman of the Year finalist, Rebecca Sullivan said.

“Seed has been a huge part of our lives here and we are so sad to hear this news, what a loss for the state.”