Barossa Experiences

Tscharke’s The Protagonist

February 23, 2022

Just across the road from The Louise, our friends at Tscharke Wines are doing things a little differently.

At first glance, Tscharke (pronounced ‘sharkie’) appears to be like any other winery; grapes go in, wine comes out. However it’s not just the muster of peacocks wandering gracefully around the grounds that’s catching the attention of locals, travellers, connoisseurs and sommeliers; there’s something special and a little quirky happen at Tscharke.

Although winemaking is a centuries-old tradition, new technologies and developments mean the process is constantly evolving and opening the door to new tastes, improved efficiencies, and sustainable practices. Of the more than 150 wineries in the Barossa Valley, Tscharke is one of just three certified organic and biodynamic vineyards.

To receive organic certification is no cakewalk; it involves demonstrating that every corner of the estate and production line is free of chemicals and synthetic fertilisers, while biodynamic certification involves giving back to the land in use. Tscharke satisfy these requirements by utilising solar energy, reclaimed water, hosting compost-making workshops and education days. While biodynamic certification may seem like a challenging badge to earn, for the team at Tscharke there is simply no alternative.

In a recent move so bold as to make the neighbouring wineries audibly gasp, Tscharke has removed its cellar door. Instead, the team offers exclusive experiences, their latest being ‘The Protagonist’ which is a three-hour masterclass showcasing the ‘method behind the madness’ and draws light on a whole host of variables that impact the end product. Pruning, harvesting, moon-cycles, biodynamics, and even playing specific music to the grapes throughout different stages of the growing process are all integral to the Tscharke creators’ ‘theory of interconnectivity’.

And it’s working. While any ordinary winery makes it as easy as possible to purchase a bottle or a case, Tscharke instead sends out a monthly newsletter to subscribers with an invitation to order. The Protagonist experience concludes with a wine tasting, which ultimately clears any remaining doubt that the team know what they are doing. In the words of Swedish playwright August Stringberg, ‘Not everyone is capable of madness, and of those lucky enough, only few have the courage for it’. For more information or to join the Tscharke invitation-to-order list, visit tscharke.com.au.

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Tscharke’s The Protagonist

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