N America News May 2017

120 NORTH AMERICA NEWS / MAY 2017 , Founded in 1952, Schild Estate is a family owned vineyard and winery producing fine Barossa wines primarily fromCabernet and Shiraz. Pure Barossa The Schild family works their land as naturally as possible, covering the exposed soil with straw to provide shade and moisture to encourage earthworms which keep the soil loose. Most of the land is dry-farmed with only occasional irrigation needed. Their wines receive frequent accolades from the Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Tanzer and Parker, and they are considered one of the finest estates in Barossa. Production is around 50,000 cases annually, less in lesser years where they sell off fruit that doesn’t meet the Estate standards. Wines produced by Schild are known for balance, great depth of flavor and consistency as well as superb quality and reflection of the Barossa’s terroir. Fruit for Schild white wines is harvested in the cool of the night and delivered quickly to the winery, where it is crushed, chilled and pressed to tank. Cold settled overnight, the juice is then fermented cool (between 11 and 18 degrees) in temperature controlled stainless steel vessels. This process is designed to retain maximum freshness, aromatics and flavour depth. Immediately after fermentation is completed, the wines are prepared for bottling. Schild Estate red wines are handled with as much care and finesse as its whites. Harvesting of the fruit at optimum flavour ripeness in the vineyard is essential. A great deal of time is spent in each individual vineyard assessing the fruit for desired varietal flavours and quality. Schild Estate’s full bodied reds are crushed into either open or static stainless steel fermenters, where selected yeast strains are used. During fermentation the wines are either gently pumped over or punched down by hand according to winemaker specifications so as to obtain optimal colour and retain complex fruit flavours. Wines are then drained and pressed to barrel. Free run and pressings are usually kept separate and combination of new and aged French, American and Hungarian oak are used across the range for maturation of between 12-24 months. The wines are then prepared for bottling with many seeing further time in bottle before release. Ben and Alma Schild first moved to the Barossa Valley from Lameroo in the Murray Mallee in 1952. The first vineyard that the family purchased is located up the top of Steingarten Road, near Rowland Flat, where the original homestead is still situated. In 1956 Ben Schild died suddenly and Ed, being the youngest of eight children and the only son to be living at home, stayed to run the family property at the age of 16. Ed Schild’s enthusiasm for the region, its offerings and vineyards saw him steadily grow the landholdings of the Schild Family, which today encompasses over 450 acres under vine. Within this large amount of land is one small patch of 165 year old shiraz vines which produces the iconic Moorooroo Shiraz. Ed and Lorraine have four children and eight grandchildren which ensures a strong family focus within the winery today. In 1998 the Schild Estate label was established producing a total of 7 tonnes making 450 dozen and recently in the 2017 Vintage 920 Tonnes – 50,000 cases. So with that much work to do and so many family members, it sure makes for fun times in Lyndoch. Until recently Schild Estate Wines were produced offsite, but in July 2010 Valley of Hope Winery was opened and 2011 saw the first complete vintage come through its doors, with Chief Winemaker Scott Hazeldine leading the charge. Company: Schild Estate Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.schildestate.com.au Address: 1095 Barossa Valley Way, Lyndoch SA 5351, Australia Telephone: +1 08 8524 5560 1701CA60