2004 Turkey Flat Vineyards Shiraz

Turkey Flat Vineyards was started in 1990 by the Schultz family, but the history of the site goes back to the 19th century. The Schultz family was part of a wave of German immigrants who arrived in the Barossa Valley in the 1840s, naming their new home after the flocks of native bush turkeys that inhabited the valley. The Schultz family bought property in 1865, growing vineyards and running a butcher shop. In the mid-20th century the family stopped grape growing due to an unfavorable market for wine grapes. But in 1987 Christie Schultz and her husband acquired the property, restored the vineyards and a few years later began making wine. Today the company makes a full portfolio of Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro, as well as white wines. James Halliday, Australia’s most noted wine authority, has written that “if there is one word to describe the wine it is integrity…it has always been made with light hands in a classic medium-bodied style, growing old with grace.”

South Australia is the nation’s most important wine region. South Australia is to Australia what California is to the U.S. About half of Australia’s wine comes from South Australia and many of the country’s most acclaimed producers are there. Wineries based in South Australia include Penfolds Grange, Torbreck, Amon Ra, Henschke and Jacob’s Creek. The prestigious Barossa Valley is located in South Australia, and is often compared to Napa Valley because it is gorgeous topography covered in grape vines. First farmed by 19th century German-speakers who immigrated from what is now Poland, the Barossa Valley is the crown jewel of the region. South Australia has widely varying climates, from very hot, dry areas to cooler, high altitude areas. There are more than 150,000 acres of vineyards in South Australia, with more being planted each month. Shiraz is king, though the region also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mourvedre, Chardonnay and Semillon.

This grape is grown in milder climates and produces a medium-to full-bodied wine. It is also known as Shiraz, but should not be confused with Petit Sirah, which was developed by crossing Syrah with Peloursin.