Wintulichs History

In 1875 Jakob is born in Austria.

Sadly at a young age in 1883 Jakob’s parents both die and he goes to live with his uncle in Vienna, a professor of medicine.

In 1891 Jakob completes his smallgoods apprenticeship, then commences 2 years national service in the army.

After which he completes 2 years of medical school under the direction of his uncle.

In 1896 Jakob travels Europe, gaining knowledge that enhances his love for smallgoods and developing his skills.

In 1898 Jakob suffers an extensive arm injury, thus returns to his uncle who saves his arm from amputation.

Jakob’s uncle arranges for Jakob to marry a ‘redheaded socialite’.

However he flees … and continues his travels around Europe

1902

Stowing away on a boat

In 1900 after extensive European travels Jakob stows himself away on a sailing ship.The need for food caused his discovery, at which he was given the option to work or be thrown overboard by the Captain. Thus he was the new ships cook.

The Captain was more than pleased and kept him on board for the next 2 years. Jakob kept animals on board slaughtering them at sea, providing the crew with food not normally available at sea.

In 1902, not actually aware of where he was, Jakob jumps ship several kilometres from land swimming ashore to escape his life as a ships cook.

After a tough swim Jakob walks ashore unaware he was in Port Pirie, South Australia.

Finding refuge with a local farmer who he later discovered to be friends with the ships Captain, Jakob is forced to hide in the farm cellar as the two enjoyed an evening meal.

With the ship safely sailed, Jakob makes his way to Adelaide.

In 1905 after finding accommodation in Whitmore Square, with the help of some borrowed equipment, he began making smallgoods, which he ‘hawked’ around the city streets.

1909

Heading to Tanunda

Jakob soon had enough money to buy a bicycle on which he headed to the German settlement town, Tanunda.

He made a sudden unscheduled stop in Gawler, when his front wheel became jammed in the tram lines, throwing him from his bicycle.

1909

Wintulichs commences

In 1909 The Wintulichs Smallgoods Company is born and Jakob starts a smallgoods workshop and slaughter yard with a butcher’s cart, serving the surrounding district

In 1910 Jakob marries local Willaston girl Clara Staehr.

On their property they also grew grapes which were sold at ‘Vintage pay day’ held at Seppelts Winery then later at Gramps Orlando Winery.

At the completion of vintage, growers all came together to collect their payments and join in festivities.

These early informal activities were the forerunner to the Barossa Valley Vintage Festival.

In 1913 Jakob & Clara’s son is born, Frank Walter Wintulich.

1924

Move to Gawler

In 1924 Jakob sells the Tanunda business and moves to Gawler, the present site of the company.

Jakob opens a shop in the main street of Gawler alongside the Old Spot Hotel.

After 2 years Jakob closes the shop and begins distributing products into various stores around Adelaide.

In 1942 Jakob hands the rains of the family business to his son Frank, and immediately goes about growing the company further, concentrating on metwurst alone.

In 1946 sadly at the age of 71 Jakob passes away, with his final resting place being the Willaston cemetery.

In 1948 due to growing demand, Frank builds a new 80sq metre factory.

In many circles Frank Wintulich is known as the leading maker of smallgoods in Australia.

In 1956 with business booming the 80sq metre factory is demolished and a new one built.

In 1962 Frank’s eldest son joins the company and within 5 years takes over as manager, leading the company into the future.

In 1967 John Wintulich becomes a manager, a position he would hold for 30 years.

In 1995 A new consortium of local businessmen and interstate farming families took over from the Wintulichs family, building on 86 years of tradition.

Whilst it was an ‘end of an era’ it was also a new beginning for the company as we continue to produce quality smallgoods with the same passion Jakob, Frank and John had shown for nearly 90 years.