The most elevated point of our Resurrection Vineyard sits at 324m, where the soils are shallow and rocky, producing intensely flavoured fruit from low-yielding blocks. Along the northern boundary a striking 15m soil profile can be viewed overlooking the St Kitts Creek, showcasing the vibrant, red Ebenezer dirt impregnated with ironstone. It is within these deep, rich clay soils that our oldest vines thrive: five acres of twisted, gnarly old Shiraz vines planted during the '30s Great Depression. We liken the preservation of these old vines to 'respecting your elders', with the individual vines cared for year-round by Warwick (Wazza) Murray. The gentle roll of the Eastern, to South-Western facing slopes provide varying exposure to light and heat during the day, an element of frost protection, and in sections, early ripening vines. These aspects combined add levels of complexity and difference to the St John's Road wines, showcasing the diversity apparent within the Barossa growing region. In addition to our Resurrection Vineyard, the winemaking team work closely with a carefully aligned group of local growers, many of whom are from multi-generational Barossa grape growing families. These growers not only supply fruit for our wines, but also contribute their heritage, stories and personalities; the essence of St John’s Road.
Paul and Angie Schutz - Stonewell
Positioned in the famous Stonewell region of the Barossa - well known for its high quality reds - Paul and Angie Schutz tend to a beautifully mixed property of Shiraz, Mataro and Grenache grapes. Along with their small hobby farm, Paul keeps busy selling vineyard equipment while Angie maintains a very hands-on approach amongst the vines. While the low-yielding crops currently produce outstanding fruit for the existing St Johns Road range, they also have some glorious 80-year-old bush-vine Shiraz, which will be made into a premium single vineyard wine from the 2014 vintage.
Terry and Jan Riley - Eden Valley
Terry and Jan Riley maintain a beautiful 96 hectare property just over a kilometre east of Eden Valley village. Their vineyards are grown on thick, loamy sand, over brown clay, producing fruit that showcases classic Eden Valley minerality. Elevation sits at about 400 metres with a gentle slope to the north-east which acts as a crucial frost barrier. While the Rileys grow a number of varieties, it is their premium Riesling and Shiraz fruit that we use for the Peace of Eden and Blood and Courage wines. Besides tending the vineyards Jan works full time teaching at Mt Pleasant Primary School, while Terry tries to fit in a couple of rounds of golf throughout the week.
John and Alice Lienert – Gomersal
John and Alice live on a vast 200Ha property in the sub-region of Gomersal, located in the western part of the Barossa Valley. It was in 2001, after completing an Agribusiness degree in Geelong, that John returned to the Barossa with a determined passion for viticulture and planted the first vines on their Gomersal acreage. Prior to this, both Alice and John’s family background was in the grain and cattle industry, but with terra rossa over limestone soils the high potential of the land for grape-growing proved too strong. Their 100Ha vineyard is now planted to the golden five of red grape varieties - Shiraz, Cabernet, Mataro, Grenache and Malbec. When not out in the vineyard Alice and John have their hands full with two young daughters, and their Kelpie (aptly named ‘Syrah’).