A Rhone-style white blend has long been part of the Turkey Flat line-up. Inevitably over the years focus changes, experimentation brings new processes to the fore and the overall direction of a wine ends up being nothing like what it started out to be. This is a good thing. Such is the case with our Barossa Valley White - a new branding that much more accurately reflects the style of our white blend today. We are incredibly proud of the heritage of our home in the Barossa - the original Lot 1 of the Hundred of Moorooroo. This parcel of land was the testing ground or trial garden which informed the propogation of vines within the Barossa Valley. Our label design by Barossa artist, Andy Ellis, is influenced by the 72 different varieties of grape vine and orchard planted as part of this program here in the 1840s.

A beautiful sunny afternoon spent outside in the garden discovering how our aromatised aperitif, Quinquina, was made - and mixing up a few of your own cocktails... Sound good? We’re really excited about launching our new outdoor area with this new, hands-on take of the old wine masterclass format. The Quinquina masterclass is designed for couples or small groups and runs for approximately 1 hour. At $30pp they also make a great gift idea (that you get to join in on - win/win!). Bookings are required - email or phone us (08) 8563 2851 to chat with us more.

Last night was Barossa's night of nights as the wine industry came together to celebrate the 39th annual Barossa Wine Show. With 717 wines entered in this year's competition - up by 116 from last year - it's a testament to the growing quality, confidence and pride of our region's. International guest judge Lisa Perrotti-Brown spoke highly of the entries, noting in particular the 2015 rieslings and 2014 grenache. With this in mind we were blown away with the results:

We are thrilled to finally announce a project which is very close to our hearts - a celebration (of the vinus variety) of the very reason Turkey Flat exists as a winery today. Introducing The Ancestor by Turkey Flat Vineyards... For the very first time we have produced a shiraz purely from the shiraz vines planted on our property in 1847. It was the preservation of these vines from the 1987 vine pull scheme that prompted the Schulz family (now 5th generation owners of the Turkey Flat property) to take charge and begin a very personal approach to winemaking. Thus Turkey Flat Vineyards was born. Naming 'The Ancestor' refers, of course, to our own Ancestors who purchased the Turkey Flat property in the 1870s, although interestingly the vines themselves are classified as 'Ancestor' vines by the Barossa Old Vine Charter. The distinctive script on this label has been taken directly from the 1888 Schulz family butchers ledger, discovered while restoring their shop to become our Cellar Door in 1992.

The 2015 vintage will be remembered for the earliest start in our 26 year history, beginning on Tuesday 3 February with a 4am harvest of Marsanne from our Stonewell vineyard. A dry end to winter as well as a warm start to spring brought forward both budburst and flowering delivering a vintage a month ahead of schedule. A cool, but dry January allowed flavours to develop evenly and earlier than average, with varieties and vineyards ripening collectively. Staying a step ahead of the February heatwave was to be the defining factor this year. Quality is high and the balance of flavour is superb. 2015 will be a truly memorable vintage.