Turtle Creek Vineyard has generated a lot of buzz recently after its 2023 Tannat Reserve was awarded a gold medal and 96-point rating at the 2026 Decanter World Wine Awards. Being curious to see what it was all about, Libby and I visited the tasting room in late August. Let me cut to the chase… the accolades are well deserved.
This beautiful property is a working farm set alongside Turtle Creek just 10 minutes south of Kerrville that features lamb, peaches, pecans, chickens, a produce garden, and 12-acres under vine. Owners Dan and Sue Schulse founded the farm in 2016 after hiking the agritourism vineyards of Tuscany. The tasting room was opened in 2024. All wines are made from hand-harvested 100% estate-grown fruit including Trebbiano, Roussanne, Montepulciano, Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Alicante Bouschet.
Libby and I arrived shortly after opening time and were invited to the bar for a guided tasting. Midway through our flight, Sue and Dan arrived with family and introduced themselves. Their warm reception made us immediately feel like part of the family. At Sue’s suggestion, their son-in-law Felix fetched an air-conditioned ATV and away we went on a tour of the property including the processing facility where we had a chance to meet and visit with winemaker Kyle Allen. Kyle has been with the family business from the beginning and is obviously committed to, and passionate about, his craft. The results speak for themselves. Four bottles, including the award-winning 2023 Tannat Reserve, came home with us.
The Schulse family also imports olive oil from Italy and offers it along with their wines through Turtle Creek Olives and Vines on Earl Garrett Street in Kerrville.
With its beautiful scenery, fantastic people, and amazing wines, a visit to Turtle Creek Vineyard is like taking a trip to Tuscany in Texas.
