A small boutique producer of dry red and fortified wines, Dutschke Wines concentrates on using grapes grown on the old family block located next to the St. Jakobi Church and from small parcels of fruit taken from growers along Gods Hill Road at Lyndoch. Nearly every grape crushed grows within a three kilometre stretch of dirt south of the winery's front gate. Wayne Dutschke started making wine in 1979 in Australia as well as knocking out a few vintages in Spain and California. In 1990, Wayne formed his own brand called WillowBend producing a blend of Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet. Interest from the United States in 1998 brought about a name change to Dutschke Wines as well as a few new brands - GHR Neighbours Shiraz, St. Jakobi Shiraz and the reserve wine Oscar Semmler Shiraz. Since their first crush in 1990, Dutschke Wines has strived to make affordable wines of the highest quality that show Wayne's expression of the characteristics of that precious patch of dirt from a precious corner of the Barossa Valley. Although production is small, demand for Dutschke Wines continues to be strong in Australia and abroad. Tastings by appointment only.
