The Turkey Flat vineyards are located on the banks of the Tanunda Creek, in the heart of the Barossa Valley.
In a nutshell: Turkey Flat is the local name for the vineyard property and is believed to be named by the original settlers in the late 1840s after the large flocks of native bush turkeys in the area. It was here that the first Shiraz vines were planted in 1847, propagating from cuttings from Hermitage Hill in the Rhône Valley in the 1830s and still remaining a productive part of Turkey Flats vineyards today.
The Schulz family became owners of the Turkey Flat property in around 1865 and, while they continued to tend the ancient vineyard, they also developed a thriving butcher’s business. Today the business is still family-owned and run by fourth generation, Christie Schulz, and continues to remain a Rhône varietal expert. Christie leads the team along with new Chief Winemaker James Adams, a sixth generation Barossan born into a winemaking family dating back to 1919.
Intensely aware of the individual ecosystems in the area, all aspects of Turkey Flat Vineyards are committed to reducing their environmental footprint, harvesting rainwater for use in the winery and solar panels to provide the main source of power. Extensive viticultural research has been undertaken in their vineyard sites, allowing the team to sensitively blend traditional Rhône varietals that speak confidently of their origin. Throughout its production process, Turkey Flat seeks to operate in respect of the local ecosystems, with minimal tillage and focus on reducing herbicide usage.
The terroir: A great deal of research has also been undertaken to manage vine vigour, controlling shoot growth as well as shoot and bunch thinning in order to reduce yields. The results are perfect expressions of how Rhône varietals can work in the warm Mediterranean climate of the Barossa Valley.
The Turkey Flat ‘personality’: Owners of some of the oldest and best Shiraz vines in Australia, and producers of great Barossa Valley red wines using Rhône style varietals.
Turkey Flat Shiraz 2019
Category:
New World Wine