It is cattle grazing heritage that is reflected in the Reschke logo of the bull. Four generations later in 1989 Burke Reschke embarked on a development of estate vineyards in what is still primarily a cattle property. The demand for the Reschke wine grapes throughout the nineties saw the fruit being used for some of Australia's Icon wines. In 1998 a selection of the most outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon parcels was released under the first Reschke label Empyrean.
Reschke is sited on the unique Terra Rossa soils, seven kilometres northeast of the township of Coonawarra. The vineyard developments, which have grown to 360 acres, consist primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, there is also a selection of Merlot, Shiraz, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc, all nurtured and cropped particularly low to achieve the highest quality fruit.
Combine a young, dynamic team committed to excellence in producing the finest wines, with Australia's premium growing region and one of the country's most acclaimed winemakers and it's easy to see why Reschke is setting new industry benchmarks. Believing that the quality of wine is largely determined in the vineyard, Reschke's vineyard team employ cutting edge viticulture practices to ensure vines consistently produce outstanding fruit from which Peter Douglas creates his masterpieces.
The vines are meticulously nurtured; vertical shoot positioned and trellised using a single cordon. By keeping bud numbers controlled (approximately 35-40 buds per vine) through careful hand pruning; yields are heavily restricted and are often less than 2 tonnes per acre. With shoot selection upwards and restricted growth the vines are allowed to sprawl naturally which allows a good, even dappled light into the canopy interior.
Reschke encapsulates the true essence of the Coonawarra. A responsibility they take seriously and with pride. Blending a heritage in the finest Cabernet growing landscape of Australia with a strictly managed vineyard, they allow the Coonawarra to express its distinctive allure. Reschke takes great pride in the attention to detail that sets them apart and brings pleasure to lovers of wine.
Reschke, innovative and uncompromising, is seen as being a leader in this field with vineyard management case studies being conducted by thrid parties in a path toward best practice. Superior viticultural practices are practised to ensure yields are kept low and optimum flavour profiles are achieved. Reschke has a preference for minimal use of fertilisers and only when they are required, also a preference for using organic nutrient blends are used to stimulate optimum levels of bacteria and fungi in the soil. Preventative programs are preferred methods in regards to pest, disease and weed management. A state of the art computerised under vine drip irrigation system, sourcing water from underground aquifers, has been installed to the entire vineyard ensuring vines are never under or over watered and function at optimum levels at all times.
Reschke's cutting edge techniques are directed at consistently producing the most outstanding fruit. The superlative wine grapes are small, thick skinned berries expressing pure Coonawarra characters. Whilst much of Reschke's production is fins it's way into some of the nation's most esteemed wines, the estate retains the very best of the best fruit for it's own brand. A guarantee of the quality, purity and eminence of the wines bearing the bull-calf label, a reminder of the Reschke family’s cattle grazing heritage.
