Fruit of the vine lures new owners

New owners of Barley Stacks Wines, Lyall Schulz (left) and Cynthia Schulz toast their new venture with former owner Rod Gregory (right).And Lyall and Cynthia Schulz have taken on a promising and challenging role as new owners of Barley Stacks Wines (subject to business name registration), formerly Gregory’s Wines.

In an historic moment, the peninsula’s first winery was officially handed over at a gathering on the property on Saturday, December 6, attended by family, workers, clients and friends, and Senator Alan Ferguson, who had officially opened Barley Stacks at its first Gourmet Feast on July 8, 2001.

A door opening
“On September 10, I was not remotely interested or even considering being involved with grapes and wine, let alone spending a substantial amount of money to get into them,” said Lyall Schulz this week, of his decision to purchase the winery.

“But a phone call from Rod to say he was putting 100 acres, including the winery, on the market, made me think this was not a door closing, but a door opening. As a family — with our sons Scott, Brett, Luke and Tim — we always plan for opportunities, and when this one came along, we felt we could give it a go.”

Lyall believes there is much to be gained in informing visitors to the area what the barley stacks were all about, and a mini-museum there would be an appropriate vehicle to showcase the history of the name.

“We can see the potential in this venture, not just for ourselves, but as a community asset,” he continued.

“We want to develop it from a tourist perspective, improving the cellar door arm. A future plan is to promote it as a convention centre, providing a venue for wedding receptions, for example.

“Winemaker John Zilm has suggested an amphitheatre, staging ‘Barley Stacks under the Stars’ with live bands and vocalists.

“Developing the winemaking sheds and improving infrastructure will enable us to organise group tours of the facility.”

Lyall has been investigating water harvesting to provide for the needs of the vineyard, and says just two hectares of ground covered in plastic could catch enough Yorke Valley rainfall to provide the total needs of 10 hectares of vines.

“The potential is here to make the vineyard self-sufficient and so be independent of River Murray water.

“Cynthia, who grew up in the Barossa Valley, after walking through the vines recently with John and myself commented on how nice it was to walk through lines of green vines in December. So it is still in her blood after all these years.”

Winemaker to stay
John Zilm is to stay on as winemaker, and his continuance is a very important part of the whole sale, Rod commented.

“John has single-handedly turned the quality of our wine around, his knowledge and experience of overseas markets is considerable and has been, and will continue to be, a most important factor in the success of this venture.

“His love of YP, and most of all, his passion for winemaking — and especially his passion for the fruit off this block — has been quite contagious.”

“Our decision to be involved is very much driven by John’s passion for this vineyard and winery,” said Lyall.

“In getting to know John again, as we where not far apart in school days, I have found we have similar dreams and visions for this business. We are developing the winery with new equipment, to allow all grapes to be crushed on-site. I have discussed with John, the possibility of expanding the product range of ‘Barley Stacks Wines’ so we have a selection of quality red and white wines, port, white port, low alcohol wines, sparkling and plain grape juice, as well as other possibilities, like champagne. John has already had great success with the Verjuice, produced from the juice of unfermented Vioguier grapes and used in cooking.

“Rod and Toni have worked hard for years, battling against the odds, and despite the cynicism of others, to grow this into the successful enterprise it is today. Now we hope to build on that and take it even further.”

Indebted to many
“I thank all our family, including our daughters Ketrice and Letitia, for their help over the last 12 years,” said Rod Gregory, in ‘handing over’ to the Schulzes. “They have helped me follow my dream — proving that premium quality wine could be produced successfully on YP, albeit through many elated and some turbulent times. I especially thank Toni, my right-hand man, as she has shared every task from the first plantings, to bottling, and the steep learning curve of marketing,” said Rod.

“I celebrate that our wines are winning medals, we are attracting overseas sales, and most hotels and restaurants on Yorke Peninsula now are carrying them.

“We are indebted to the people who have worked with us over the years. Many of the jobs have been a pleasure, such as pruning on a calm, early morning with the sun shimmering through the autumn leaves. But at the other extreme was the tortuous job of putting out the bird netting, usually in 35 degree plus heat — a night in Alcatraz would have to be better!

“I am very pleased the Schulzes have bought Barley Stacks and although I am looking forward to retirement, I am petrified of waking up one morning with nothing to do. But really, if the decision was reversed now, I would shoot someone!

“I gladly hand the mantel of responsibility across to Lyall, Cynthia and their family, because I know they will carry on the dream, and I congratulate them for their courage, foresight and enthusiasm with which they have ventured into this new enterprise.”