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Christie Schulz, Turkey Flat Vineyards, Barossa Valley, South Australia

Christie Schulz, Turkey Flat Vineyards, Barossa Valley, South Australia Turkey Flat is more than just a vineyard and home of the best Barossa wines, it is a family business that forms a vital part of the region’s rich cultural history and heritage

It was here, on the banks of Tanunda Creek where bush turkeys once roamed, that pioneer Silesian settler Johann Friedrich August Fiedler planted the first Shiraz vines in 1847. His vines flourished and the land – Section One, in the Hundred of Moorooroo – was bought in 1865 by Gottlieb Ernst Schulz, a successful butcher who established a thriving retail business among the vines

Christie Schulz, Eileen O'Donovan, Suzie O'Connor

Butchering developed into dairying, but the vineyards were always kept, and eventually transformed the historic bluestone butchers shop into the cellar door and heart of their Turkey Flat wine business, and made sure that the vines that Fiedler planted so long ago, now gnarled and twisted, are still a vital part of the process

And with good reason, for it is the intense, concentrated fruit from these ancient vines that set Turkey Flat wines apart and have made them sought after the world over. With thanks to Susie O’Connor, Classic Drinks for arranging this visit www.classicdrinks.ie

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Cesar Saldana, Consejo Regulador, Jerez

We were delighted to welcome César Saldaña, Director of DO Jerez, Manzanilla and Brandy of Jerez, to Ballymaloe.  He also is the General Manager of both CRDO Vinos de Jerez and CRDE Brandy de Jerez, the institution for Spain’s most important spirit.

His visit to Ballymaloe was a busy one -with three seperate events, in association with Wines of Spain and The Irish Times Readers Evening. See the Wines of Spain blog here on his visit, and also Billy Lyons ‘Restaurants and Food in Cork’ Blog here

This was a great opportunity for the students to learn more about the unique special wine that is Sherry. He is an expert on Sherry – its wines, food, culture and history, and a great Sherry ‘Ambassador’, on what is becoming a very fashionable drink once again – Sherry. www.sherry.org  . Ballymaloe Cookery School also run a ‘Tapas & Sherry’ course, three times a year – further details here.

 

Cesar Saldana pictured here with Darina Allen

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Pascal Rossignol, Le Caveau, Kilkenny

Pascal Rossignol, of Le Caveau, Kilkenny (and originally from Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy) gave another of his masterclass wine presentations to the students, on wines from Burgundy and The South-West of France. A great wine class and tasting was much enjoyed and appreciated by the students. Our thanks once again to Pascal www.lecaveau.ie

Next time you are in Kilkenny City, do drop in to Le Caveau- a small, but lovely wine shop on the Market yard 

Le Caveau – Market Yard – Kilkenny Tel: 056 775 2166 Fax: 056 775 2101

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Cristobel Socias, Santa Alicia, Chile

Santa Alicia have been producing wines in the heart of Maipo Valley since 1954. With grapes from three select communes, a state of the art winery, and judicious use of the finest American and French oak barrels, the wines represent  good price/quality ratio.

In 2007, they were named Chilean Wine Producer of the Year for “best overall results from a Chilean winery” in the prestigious International Wine & Spirit Competition in London.

Cristobel Socias, Santa Alicia, Chile, pictured with Michael Kane, Curious Wines, Cork www.curiouswines.ie

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Enrique Garcia, Bodegas Pingon, Ribera del Duero, Spain

The Ribera del Duero is probably the most exciting area of Spain from a wine perspective. There are many similarities between Rioja and Ribera del Duero. While the wines are quite distinctive as a result of significant differences in terroir, both regions produce wines selected for long aging with highly complex vinification procedures, producing intense, extremely long-lived wines. Wines are classified as much for their longevity as their grape quality, and Ribera del Duero produces some extremely fine wines capable of aging for many years. Bodegas Pingón is one of the best producers in the Ribera del Duero consistently producing  award winning wines.

Visit of Enrique Garcia, Bodegas Pingon, Ribera del Duero, Spain  pictured here with Darina Allen and Billy Forrester, Bubble Brothers Wine Merchants, Cork www.bubblebrothers.com

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Sherry Talk and Tasting with César Saldaña, Consejo Regulador, Sherry at the Grainstore at Ballymaloe House.

Wine Event at Ballymaloe

Sherry Talk and Tasting with César Saldaña, Consejo Regulador, Sherry

 

For a world class presentation & tasting of different styles of Sherry, on his first ever visit to this part of Ireland, in association with Wines of Spain.

 

The Grain Store at Ballymaloe,  Wednesday 25th May, 7pm,  €10

 

César Saldaña is a passionate and expert speaker on Sherry – its wines, food, culture and history. He is the Director of Sherry – the Consejo Regulador, and is without doubt the worlds best speaker on Sherry – a world renowned Sherry ‘Ambassador’, on what is becoming a very fashionable drink once again – Sherry. A great opportunity to learn more about the unique special wine that is Sherry, and taste its many different styles, including Manzanilla, Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso, Pedro Ximenez.  An evening not to be missed. All welcome.

The Grain Store at Ballymaloe,

Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co. Cork,

Mob: 083 3631468.    Tel: 021 4652531

e-mail: thegrainstore@ballymaloe.ie

 

 

 

Also:

Thursday 26th May, 8.00pm – Sherry Dinner at Ballymaloe House

Sherry Dinner with César Saldaña in association with The Irish Times Readers Evening, and John Wilson, wine writer, The Irish Times, and also in association with Wines of Spain. A specially selected menu will be matched to specially selected Sherry at each course. Please note that booking for this Sherry Dinner, on Thursday 26th May, at Ballymaloe House, will have to be made directly through The Irish Times Readers Evening office.

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Neil Ellis Wines, Stellenbosch, South Africa.

We were delighted to welcome Neil Ellis, owner & winemaker, Neil Ellis Wines, Stellenbosch, South Africa.  www.neilellis.com (pictured here with Pascal Playon and William Tindal)

Mindful that no single vineyard can satisfy the needs of all grape varieties, Neil Ellis set out to identify distinct terroir in which individual varieties will excel. He placed the emphasis not only on the environment but also on caring viticultural practises by a dedicated team of growers which extends through to the winemaking practices, to make distinctive, refined wines that are expressive of their terroir and rank amongst South Africa’s finest.

Today the journey of Neil Ellis Wines is not only of Neil Ellis anymore, but a team of young, dedicated winemakers harnessed in their pursuit of quality winemaking. After four decades of making wine, the next stage of the journey has begun with Neil’s son, Warren, sharing responsibilities as winemaker and viticulturist.

Our thanks to William Tindal and Pascal Playon of Tindal Wine Merchants for organizing this visit. www.tindalwine.com