Planting A Legacy

In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, amidst generations of family-owned businesses and rich history, Dan and Sue Schulse have planted what will one day become their legacy. As owners of Turtle Creek Olives and Vines and Turtle Creek Vineyard, they’ve made it their mission to use their wine to create community. 

Inspired by a trip to Italy, where Dan and Sue hiked through the villages and vineyards of Tuscany, Turtle Creek Enterprise was founded in 2016 to replicate the lifestyle and community they saw in Italy and knew they could bring to Kerrville. Turtle Creek was something that Dan and Sue could retire doing and eventually pass down to their children.

Now bustling businesses that continue to grow and expand, Turtle Creek Olives and Vines and Turtle Creek Vineyard are designed to promote agriculture and tourism in Kerr County, built on ethical practices and strong business principles. In 2019, the Schulse Family opened a distinguished tasting room experience in a historic 1890 Masonic building in downtown Kerrville, Turtle Creek Olives and Vines. The Schulses have transformed it into an elegant, welcoming space where visitors can enjoy wine, small plates, and each other's company in a parlor-like setting.

Dan and Sue wanted their business to not only serve the community but also employ local talent, buy local products, and contribute to the well-being of the people around them. To support their needs as business owners throughout this journey of growth and expansion, the Schulses were determined to find a local bank where they weren’t just a number.

Their choice to work with Kenneth Early, EVP Commercial Relationship Manager at Texas Hill Country Bank and his team was driven by the desire for a genuine, relationship-based banking experience. For Dan and Sue, knowing the people behind their bank who greet them by name and understand their unique needs is essential. The bank has not only been there to offer financial solutions but also as a neighbor and partner in the Schulse’s business journey.

"Texas Hill Country Bank is a community-focused institution, which is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Everybody's a little different; everybody has strengths and weaknesses. At a smaller bank, you're not just another client being offered cookie-cutter solutions that aren’t in your business’s best interest." –Sue Schulse, Owner of Turtle Creek Olives & Vines

Regarding fraud protection services, Dan and Sue have found the bank's commitment to safeguarding their assets extremely valuable. In a world filled with fraud and financial risks, having a bank that offers robust fraud protection services has given them peace of mind. “Choose a bank that offers reliable fraud protection and ensure you're comfortable with their services,” says Sue. Today, the Schulse’s 12-acre vineyard produces a variety of grapes, with a state-of-the-art production facility on the horizon. Texas Hill Country Bank has helped provide the funding for the facility expansion.

Through their winery, Dan and Sue Schulse have crafted fine products and nurtured relationships and enriched the Texas Hill Country community. Their journey, supported by Texas Hill Country Bank, is a testament to the power of local business owners coming together to create a genuinely exceptional legacy.