30 Years of Winemaking
Schulz family’s Turkey Flat journey Gottlibe Ernst Schulz, a butcher, came to Australia in 1843. He moved to the Barossa where he leased, and later bought, the Turkey Flat estate - Lot 1, One Hundred of Moorooroo - from Johann Friedrich August Fiedler. He built a butcher and slaughterhouse and established Schulz & Co Butchers. This was an era pre-mechanization, the bluestone to build the butcher’s shop, the now Turkey Flat Cellar door, was mined at Bethany quarry and transported by horse and cart. In the peak of the business, Schulz & Co had a fleet of 24 horse drawn carts and delivered as far away as Eden Valley. Gottlibe Ernst Schulz also expanded his business to growing and drying tobacco during a shortage of supply. However, this did not prove successful and was not repeated! During this time, he continued to keep a
healthy vine garden, which he passed onto his son, Wilhelm, along with the butcher business. Wilhelm had big plans of selfsufficiency, in 1921, he planted an oak forest, from acorns, allegedly from the famous Black Forest in Germany. One can only assume he planned to make his own barrels. The vineyard was subsequently passed onto the next generation, John Schulz, who converted the Butcher shop into a dairy and continued to farm the vine garden. Which brings us to the present generation, who in 1987 saved the vines from the government vine pull scheme and set about regenerating the vineyard, producing the The original butcher shop building before it was transformed into the first Turkey Flat Estate wine in 1990 and Cellar Door of today. renovating the old Butcher Shop to house the much-loved Cellar Door that it has Shiraz was first planted at Turkey Flat that changed the course of history for Turkey become. in 1847 by Johann Fiedler who was one of Flat. “It’s when we saved our historic Ancestor the first Prussian Lutherans to make wine vineyard from the vine-pull bulldozer, in the Barossa. Noted for his early efforts to experiment bringing life back into the neglected with grape varietals, he tested the viticultural vineyard,” Christie explains. viability of the new settlement. “It took us three years to get the vineyard A journalist visiting Turkey Flat in back into production. 1851 noted an experimental vineyard of 72 “We made our first wine, a shiraz from the varieties had been planted to identify what Ancestor vines in 1990 and transformed the property’s historic bluestone butchers shop was suited to the environment. Since the 1860s, the Schulz family have into a cellar door and private tasting room been custodians of Turkey Flat and they which opened for the first time at Easter, have continued the legacy laid down by 1993.” Fiedler, growing vines and making wines Nestled amongst the unique setting of that suit the landscape conditions. native Barossa Valley flora and fauna and Christie is the fourth generation of century old vineyards, the affectionately the Schulz family to become caretaker of titled “Butcher’s Block room” still houses this remarkable estate and, according to the original butcher’s chopping block, a huge distiller’s licensing records, is perhaps only old gum tree trunk around which the room the second woman to oversee winemaking was constructed. operations in an otherwise male dominated “The vines Fiedler planted so long ago, industry. now gnarled and twisted, are vital for “I must say, people walk around looking for the intense, concentrated fruit that set the owner quite often, they still can’t believe Turkey Flat wines apart and have made it’s me!” she says with a smile. them sought after the world over,” Christie For Christie, 1987 was the pivotal year says. Schulz & Co. Butchers at Turkey Flat.
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30 Years of Winemaking
Christie’s leadership inspires era of growth Sole proprietor, Christie Schulz has been leading the charge for the Barossa Valley since saving some of the region’s most historic vines from destruction and founding Turkey Flat Vineyards in 1990. Hands-on since the very beginning, she did so with three years of back-breaking work, nurturing shiraz vines planted in 1847 and bush-vine Grenache vines from the 1920s back to health, all with two very young sons underfoot. A third son was born during the winery’s first vintage which produced a shiraz from the very vines she saved from the bulldozer. Turkey Flat Vineyards has received numerous accolades over the years, most recently their 2016 Grenache was the first of its variety to ever be awarded the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy. And whilst it is certainly a career highlight, Christie is not one to rest on previous success as she constantly strives for the next big adventure in the wine industry. Her infectious energy inspires the small team at Turkey Flat, developing exciting new projects to drive customer growth and engagement, both within the Turkey Flat brand and the Barossa Valley region. Even outside of work, for Christie there is nothing worse than repetition and mundane routine. “Mundane is synonymous with boring. I prefer to be out in the garden or at the beach than bogged down by life’s repetitive chores,” she says. The last decade has focussed on events, with pop-up city based Cellar Doors, exclusive dinners, Adelaide Fringe performances and the boutique Americana-themed Silver Raven Festival run by son, Alex and the Turkey Flat team. The revitalisation of the bluestone butcher’s shop Cellar Door now provides an immersive Barossan experience, leading with wine, yet complemented by the stunning landscape, relaxed lifestyle and local produce. Building of the Turkey Flat team to help bring Christie’s vision for the future has been key to their recent successes.
“We have a bright young team, making and marketing absolutely the best wines Turkey Flat has ever made,” she says. Maintaining a flexible workplace for parents, evolving roles to suit personal strengths and building an enviable workplace culture over daily morning tea and Friday staff lunches is repaid daily by Christie’s staff loyalty as they continue to deliver over and above expectations. “The introduction of a staff lunch every Friday has been the greatest bonding tool,” Christie explains. “I provide the ingredients and we take it in turns to cook. We all sit down, usually with an interesting wine to discuss and enjoy with the meal and there’s a lot of fun and laughter. “It’s a great way to finish the week and a chance to share the highs and lows which are part of running a vineyard and winery. “I can honestly say we now have a team who work together and support each other in all aspects. The flow-on effect has no bounds.” Christie says as a boss, she’s an advocate for “having a go” and continually encourages all her staff to move out of their comfort zone and push the boundaries. “I believe that if I have done my part well, the staff I have mentored will and should have far greater success than me,” adds Christie. Long time employee, Jo Neldner speaks for fellow staff when she says her boss is truly inspirational. “Christie is a true leader in every sense of the word inspiring hard work and dedication by example,” Jo says. “Despite the appearance of her desk at times she’s certainly not haphazard on the organisation front and definitely keeps us on our toes.” Christie’s strive for excellence is best summed up by eldest son, William. “(Mum) dislikes insipid reds, bad manners, warm Rosé, cheap handbags and disloyalty to the mighty Barossa Valley and looks to escape life’s boredom by constantly making time to take over the world one Grenache at a time.”
Turkey Flat Vineyards’ sole proprietor, Christie Schulz.
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“The Leader” Turkey Flat Vineyards, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 3
30 Years of Winemaking
The team behind the label
One thing I have “always said is we do
“
We’ve kept everything estate grown which is always important and, since 2009, we have done it all. We’ve grown it, made it, aged it, bottled it on site and labelled it. So, we do everything, right through. It really is quite unique.
not copy the French style. Turkey Flat has had its own style, right from day one.
”
”
– Christie Schulz
Mark Bulman, chief winemaker, 12 years. Sole proprietor of Turkey Flat, Christie Schulz, represents the fourth generation of Schulz family custodianship.
Another vintage done: Mark Bulman and Sean Morgan with Peter “Peaches” Mernagh.
Cellar Door team members, from left: Thomas Bell, 3 months; Diana Bozo, 5 months and Caitlin Edwards, 1½ years.
Lot 1 in the Hundred of Moorooroo, an alluvial flat adjacent to the Tanunda Creek, is settled by Johann Frederick August Fiedler, who plants his first vines in 1844. Shiraz is planted in 1847, and is now known as ‘The Ancestor’ vineyard.
1839
Congratulations on 30 years of winemaking
The Schulz family, originally Bethany settlers, purchase Turkey Flat and begin to operate their butchers business on site. Their butchers shop flourishes, with up to 24 carts delivering their products across the region.
Barry “Baz” Treager, general vineyard and winery hand, 15 years.
The Vine-pull scheme threatens the wine industry and the idea of returning a winery to Turkey Flat emerges in response to this crisis.
Rod Schubert helps create the Turkey Flat label for the first wine released; the 1990 Turkey Flat Shiraz.
mid - 1980s 1990
1860s
1844
Congratulations on 30 years of winemaking
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Johann Menge describes the Barossa region as “the cream, the whole cream and nothing but the cream of South Australia,” and predicts its future as a wine region
Peter “Peaches” Mernagh, warehouse and bottling co-ordinator, 15 years.
30 Years of Winemaking
Valentina Vernizzi Cellar Door Coordinator, 2 years.
Natalie Schiller Senior Cellar Door and Food Preparation, 6 years.
Kate Harding, book keeper, 9 years.
are making a much more elegant “ We style which, funnily enough, is where everyone is going now. ”
– Christie Schulz
Sean Morgan, winemaker, 3 years.
Growth comes fast, with the first release of a single-varietal Grenache in 1992, and a white wine (originally made from Semillon) in 1993. Cellar Door also opens to the public in 1993.
An icon emerges! Turkey Flat produces its first Rosé, which has since become one of our most sought-after wines.
The winery is built on site, ending the need to use others’ facilities by the start of the 2001 vintage.
2000 1992 - 1993
1994
It’s a year of celebrations! The 2016 Turkey Flat Grenache wins the 2017 Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, and The Ancestor Shiraz vineyard produces its 170th vintage.
2017
Ailee Craig, Cellar Door 2¾ years. We reach the 30th anniversary since the Turkey Flat label was created and all plans for celebration are stymied by Covid19. Turkey Flat launches its first wine club and we emerge from lockdown happily and gratefully.
2020
JS2054
Jo Neldner, Custodian Society co-ordinator on and off since 2009.
“The Leader” Turkey Flat Vineyards, Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 5
30 Years of Winemaking
What’s in a name? Turkey Flat’s feathered friend
feathered residents. Yet this bird was no turkey: it was ‘Ardeotis australis’, or the Plains Bustard, which, sadly, is rarely seen nowadays. “ We r e c o g n i s e t h e significance of the bird and the original landscape it came here for through the artwork on our label,” says Turkey Flat proprietor, Christie Schulz describing local artist, Rod Schubert’s interpretation of the winery’s namesake. Cover crops and mulch under the old bush vine Grenache “This same landscape supports our vines and gives us the means to make unique, character-filled fine wine.” The modern history of Turkey Flat has The native grass grows quickly at the turn Turkey Flat is proud to sponsor the breeding many critical moments that were considered of winter, suppressing undesirable weeds programme at Monarto Zoo. “against the norm” and high in risk, yet it whilst the medics and sub-clovers prosper was these very moments that led to the in late winter/spring. winery’s current success. They naturally fix nitrogen from the Extensive viticultural research has been atmosphere and provide further weed undertaken in the vineyards, allowing suppression from spring rains. In tandem, Christie and her experienced team, including they are carbon and nitrogen positive and winemaker Mark Bulman, to sensitively create a layered and biodiverse soil structure. blend traditional Rhône varietals which Christie says their root systems open speak confidently of their origin. up the soil, reversing the symptoms of The 1847 Shiraz vines, some of the oldest compaction. in Australia, form the centre of the family“Permanent cover-crops require far less owned estate and play a vital role on the tractor work, reducing our diesel use and Barossa Valley’s rich cultural heritage. carbon footprint,” she said. “We aim to optimise ecological systems “We do not cultivate at Turkey Flat, rather than treat our vineyards as a rather we roll our cover crops in spring. monoculture,” Christie said. This protects the soil from both wind and Using natural influences to control water erosion.” both vegetative growth and yield is central All aspects of Turkey Flat Vineyards are to Turkey Flat’s approach to vineyard committed to reducing the environmental management footprint, from harvesting rainwater for use “We seek to operate within the local in the winery, to the installation of solar ecosystems instead of in competition with panels to provide the main source of power. them,” Christie added. “We will continue to expand our vision of “This is why our vineyards survive on a truly sustainable agricultural business, natural rainfall and we now boast permanent which operates as a functional and not just cover crops in all our vineyards which a consumptive part of the ecosystems we shifts the vineyard from a monoculture to occupy,” Christie said. a managed ecosystem.” “Turkey Flat consistently delivers award Mixtures of self-seeding medics, native winning wines of great integrity showcasing grass and sub-clover have proven to be most just how exciting the Barossa Valley and its successful cover crops within our vineyards. complexities of evolution and history can be.” Early design development for the Turkey Flat label, by Rod Schubert.
It’s the name that graces some of the region’s finest bottles of wine and puts a smile on everyone’s face, but did you know “Turkey Flat” derives from the Prussian settlers of Bethany and
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30 Years of Winemaking Winemaking is Mark’s obsession Winemaker, Mark Bulman, has always had an infatuation for taste and flavours. He arrived at Turkey Flat in late 2008 and was pleased to find a winery where quality and integrity were priority. Mark quickly began to implement his skills with the Turkey Flat wines, looking to add definition and balance to the naturally generous Barossa Valley style. He enjoys the challenges of working in a warmer climate and though he values all the wines he makes, he has developed a love for Grenache that borders on the obsessive.
“
The people, history of a region and local foods are all required for a wine to find true content. – Mark Bulman
Christie Schulz, Mark Bulman and Alex Schulz celebrating Turkey Flat’s historic Jimmy Watson win.
Making history with Jimmy Watson win The Barossa Valley and it’s ‘other’ favourite red grape, Grenache resulted in a historic Royal Melbourne Wine Show win for Turkey Flat Vineyards. The 2016 Turkey Flat Grenache was the first ever Grenache to win Australia’s most prestigious wine honour, the Jimmy Watson in the memorial trophy’s 56 year history. The award also marked to return of the ‘Jimmy’ to the Barossa Valley for the first time since 2003. For Winemaker, Mark Bulman, who admits his love for Grenache borders on the obsessive, the win was particularly sweet. It was the suitability of Grenache in the warm, Barossa climate, and the savoury, complex and tannic characters in the resulting
wine that provided the hook for Mark settling in the region. “The hot, dry conditions of the 2016 vintage, combined with the timely 30mm of rainfall in January and our extraordinary old vine material, set us up in the winery to create something truly exceptional,” Mark said. Always a champion for Grenache, Christie Schulz was elated by the win. “The Royal Melbourne Wine Show has the reputation for being the premier wine show in Australia,” Christie said. “The Barossa has some of the oldest Grenache vines in the country which are producing the best dry, varietal Grenache. “This win is a vote of confidence for the distinct style of our Grenache.”
The Royal Melbourne Wine Show has been regarded as Australia’s leading national wine awards since its inception in 1884, attracting approximately 4000 entries yearly in its 71 classes. It brings together the very best Australian wine makers and producers and is renowned as a benchmark of excellence in wine production. T h e J i m m y Wa t s o n Trophy is a memorial to the late Jimmy Waston, the proprietor of the iconic Watson’s Wine Bar, who is credited with changing the tastes of the Melbourne wine drinking public, after his sudden death in 1962. It has been won by some of the biggest names in the Australian wine industry – which now, proudly, includes Turkey Flat.
”
Mark was destined for the winemaking role he has enjoyed at Turkey Flat for the past 12 years. Born in Murray Bridge to a forester and a librarian, he was constantly exposed to pursuits both practical and intellectual and with influence from his German relatives, he grew up around a family that viewed food as a celebration. A curious nature and an insatiable appetite, fuelled by competitive swimming, led him on a path of food discovery that gradually revealed the wider world of fine wine. A passionate physics teacher introduced Mark to the thought of winemaking and it was during secondary school that Mark decided to unite his interests of science and food by enrolling in Oenology at the University of Adelaide. Throughout university Mark honed his palate by working for various fine wine retailers and gaining winery work where possible. With an ability to make the most of his opportunities, Mark worked in a variety of regions for esteemed producers in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. This time proved hugely influential to Mark vital in furthering his education. “My philosophy is that wines should be judged by far more than just flavour and taste alone, a summation of culture; the people, history of a region and local foods are all required for a wine to find true context,” Mark said.
Chief winemaker, Mark Bulman.
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8 - “The Leader” Turkey Flat Vineyards, Wednesday, April 14, 2021