Dutschke Wines – one of the Barossa Valley’s best wineries – is closing its doors.
Owner Wayne Dutschke started making wine in 1979 in Australia and formed his own brand – WillowBend – in 1990. He changed the name to Dutschke Wines in 1998.
Now Wayne and wife Brenda are leaving the industry behind to do something different.
“Knowing our two kids had their sights set on their own dreams, which wasn’t the wine industry, we thought it would be a good idea to do something different while we were still youngish and in good health,” Brenda tells Glam Adelaide.
“Wayne has been making wine for 40+ years and is looking forward to putting the fishing line in a bit more often, especially during the beautiful autumn months when normally we would be flat out in the winery.”
Wayne recently joined the advisory board for the Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) a not-for-profit created by his good mate, Scott Neeson, 20 years ago.
“I still feel like I have a bit more working life left in me, and I look forward to discovering whatever the universe has in store for my future,” Brenda says.
“Both of our children are interstate at Uni, so we are now empty nesters – or bird launchers – and the timing of our exit is perfect.
“It will give us a bit more time to support their journeys.”
Wayne was named Barossa Winemaker of the Year in 2010 and inducted into the Barons of Barossa in 2013.
He wrote a children’s book called My Dad Has Purple Hands.
Brenda says the biggest highlight has been all the “amazing people we have met and built wonderful relationships with” over the years.
“This really can’t be overstated. We’ve been blessed,” she says.
The last few cases of Dutschke wines are on sale as a fundraiser for the Cambodian Children’s Fund.
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