Pepper Tree Wines "The Grind - Seasoned News from Pepper Tree"

ISSUE 18 AUTUMN 2014

2O14

VINTAGE UPDATE

2O14 EVENTS CALENDAR

PEPPER TREE MOVES TO

SOLAR POWER

AUTUMN SPECIALS WINE REVIEWS 1

WELCOME The Pepper Tree team are excited to welcome in the 2014 Vintage! It’s all hands on deck in the winery and we are delighted to have some new faces join this year’s Vintage crew. Jared & Vanessa have joined the crew this year alongside Scott, Leon, Johnno & Jodie. See page 4 for Scott’s update on the 2014 Vintage so far.

We have an exciting calendar of events for our valued Wine Club members and friends. We look forward to hosting many food and wine experiences throughout NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD. Our Wine Club events do sell out fast; please let us know if there are any events you would like to attend to secure your place! See page 7 for our events calendar.

S T A F F P RO F I L E ;

Dan Hodge Cellar Door Sales

We are pleased to offer our ‘Q4’ Members with some unique experiences such as the exclusive ‘Q4’ Benchmark Tasting & Winemakers Table Luncheon. Both events are held onsite at Pepper Tree and are hosted by Owner/Chairman John Davis and Chief Winemaker Scott Comyns.This year will also see the inaugural ‘Q4’ Christmas Cruise in December! If you would like to be apart of the ‘Q4’ Club or for an information package, please don’t hesitate to contact the Wine Club.

How long have you been working at Pepper Tree Wines for?

The Cellar Door team are looking forward to seeing you throughout 2014, please contact the Wine Club prior to your visit to book the exclusive Members Tasting Lounge. Sit back, relax and enjoy sampling our latest releases alongside a cheese plate.

After your tasting, stop by ‘Contango’ for a freshly roasted coffee made from our award winning coffee beans!

Definitely meeting new people everyday, I think the combination of holidays and drinking wine makes most people quite friendly!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

What do you like most about working at Pepper Tree Wines?

What do you believe to be Pepper Tree’s greatest strength?

Offering so many good wines from different regions.

Cheers

What is your favourite Pepper Tree wine currently available?

The Pepper Tree Team

Very hard to choose from so many wines, but definitely any of the Hunter 2011 Shiraz's and the 2010 ‘Strandlines’ Cabernet Shiraz from Wrattonbully.

CONTANGO

What has been the funniest or most memorable moment that you have experienced while working at PTW?

ESPRESSO-ROASTERS

Feature Bean

Definitely hosting a tasting for Alicia Keys and her entourage!

ETHIOPIAN LIMU

What has been the strangest comment /question someone has said?

H ISTORY It is widely accepted that Ethiopia is the birthplace of coffee. It is believed that the forest of the Kaffa region is the origin of ‘Coffea Arabica’. Limu is one of nine distinct coffee regions in Ethiopia which is grown at elevations ranging from 3,600 – 6,200 feet in south-west Ethiopia, producing mediumsized coffee beans with a distinctive roundish shape and green colour. Unlike coffees from other regions, Ethiopian coffees have the genetic make-up and sturdiness to grow and spread with very little human interference.

This means that there is not much need for pesticides and fertilizers, making them naturally organic.

I started working at Pepper Tree in August 2013.

I’ve been asked how much honey goes into our ‘Sticky Pig’ Pinot Gris.

250g – Retail $12.50

What is the most memorable wine you have had?

Special Offer $10.50

A 2004 Coldstream Hills Shiraz, this was the first aged Shiraz I had when I just started to move on from Moscato.

Freight $6.00 – not applicable when purchased in conjunction with wine.

If you could have dinner with 3 people of your choice who would it be?

“The Grind” – Autumn Newsletter

Please mention “The Grind – Autumn Newsletter” when purchasing over the phone or in Cellar Door.

Keith Urban – my man crush Richard Branson – to teach me a thing or two Caroline Wozniacki – my highlight of the Australian Open.

What is your greatest weakness?

Spending my pay on Pepper Tree wine!

What is your favourite restaurant to visit in the Hunter Valley?

FL AVOUR PR OFILE

I love going to Potters Brewery for pizza and their boutique beers.

Limu coffee is renowned for its good cup, sweet, spicy/wine like flavours yet maintaining balanced body. This is considered one of the premium gourmet coffees worldwide.

What do you do in your spare time?

Fishing, camping, 4 wheel driving and anything outdoors!

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AU TUMN SPECIALS Autumn Mixed White Selection Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2013 Limited Release Hunter Valley Semillon 2012 Varietal Pinot Gris 2012 Limited Release Wrattonbully Viognier 2013 Limited Release Hunter Valley Chardonnay

Wine Club Members Case Special $199 RRP $252, saving $53 + freight free

Tasting notes and free freight included

Autumn Mixed Red Selection Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2012 Varietal Shiraz 2012 Limited Release ‘The Pebbles’ Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 2012 Limited Release ‘Classics’ Wrattonbully Cabernet Merlot 2012 Limited Release Orange Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Club Members Case Special $220 RRP $279, saving $59 + freight free

Tasting notes and free freight included

To place your order, simply complete the attached order form, or follow the links to the ONLINE SHOP

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News from the Winemaker

Scott Comyns

VINTAGE 14 HUNTER

It was an early start to the year when we had grapes on the crush pad on the 8th of January. It has been said that Vintage 2014 is one of the best since the famous 65 Vintage!

During the harvest period, we saw only 6mm of rain which didn’t even wet the soil. It is very rare to be able to pick fruit when the fruit is ready and not deal with the usual restraints of bad weather conditions! Both whites and reds will shine together this year. Chardonnay in particular for the whites are a standout, alongside Semillon. The Shiraz off the Tallawanta Vineyard is black in colour and rich in flavour. A vintage to keep your eye on!

ORANGE A warm dry season in Orange has led to early picking of low to moderate crops.

First off was the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for the Silenus Sparkling Base,.

Orange has only just started, so regular trips are required at the moment, lucky I have Leon with me to keep me awake on the 5 hour journey! The ‘Venus Block’ Chardonnay is due to come in next, and apart from some recent rain events, all looks great in the vineyard.

PEPP ER TRE E W IN E S ‘ Q4 ’ C L UB ‘Q4’ stands behind our philosophy of providing ‘Quality’ wine on a 'Quarterly' basis.

• Voucher for two at 'Chef Hatted' Restaurant Bistro Molines, Mount View to the value of $150.00 along with a bottle of Sparkling 'Silenus' to enjoy on your arrival • Free freight Australia wide on all purchases plus much more...

Join this exclusive membership and receive first priority access to all Reserve and Single Vineyard wines upon release, along with additional discounts and extensive privileges. Membership is available to a limited number of members and holds an increased commitment of 2 cases per quarter. Members are offered flexibility with their choice of wine received along with the Winemakers personal recommendations per quarter.

‘Q4’ Members will be offered an invitation to exclusive events taking place in 2014 including: Friday 28th March - ‘Q4’ Benchmark Tasting - taking wait list Saturday 2nd August – ‘Q4’ Winemakers Table Luncheon (1st sitting) Saturday 9th August – ‘Q4’ Winemakers Table Luncheon (2nd sitting) Sunday 7th December – ‘Q4’ Afternoon Christmas Cruise

Some of the extensive benefits of the 'Q4' Club include: • Receive 20% off Grand Reserve, Reserve, Single Vineyard and Limited Release Ranges • 30% off all Varietal Range • Complimentary invitation for you and your guest to attend one of Pepper Tree's Member Events of your choice throughout the year • Invitation to exclusive ‘Q4’ events such as the Benchmark Tasting, Winemaker's Table Luncheon and ‘Q4’ Christmas Cruise • Detailed tasting notes included in every wine delivery • James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion upon release each year signed by our Chief Winemaker Scott Comyns

For an information package and membership form, please call the Pepper Tree Wine Club on 1800 655 965 or email katedh@peppertreewines.com.au 4

WINE REVIEW 2013 LIMITED RELEASE WRATTONBULLY CHARDONNAY

2010 SINGLE VINEYARD RESERVE ‘CALCARE’ COONAWARRA CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Release Date: February 2014

Release Date: April 2013

We are pleased to provide members of the Wine Club with the exciting new release from Wrattonbully. This extremely popular Chardonnay is made from the iconic French ‘Bernard Clones’ and is crafted into a Burgundy style Chardonnay. Bernard Clones are renowned for producing fruit of great complexity and perfume at much lower ripeness levels.

‘Calcare’ Cabernet Sauvignon is selected from the best rows of our small vineyard from the world famous Coonawarra region. The renowned quality of Coonawarra is a product of its mineral rich 'Terra Rossa' clay soils and underlying soft crumbly limestone (Calcare) which naturally produces balanced vine canopies and small crops of intensely flavoured fruit. These soils combined with generous sea breezes from Robe, create a unique Cabernet Sauvignon greatly admired in the world of wine.

These young vines are producing a wine with aromas of white peach, honey, nectarine, melon and apple. Vibrant flavours combined with apricots, grapefruit, olives and figs to create a long and flavoursome palate.

Cellar Door Bottle $22.00

Club Bottle $19.00 ‘Q4’ Member $1760

This lightly oaked wine supports the richness and fruit flavours providing a full and rounded mouth-feel that makes it delicious to drink or combine with chicken, pork or veal dishes. An exceptional vintage showing enormous potential. Ideal drinking now and to 2019.

Click here for detailed tasting notes

This wine provides characteristics specific to this region, revealing bouquets of fresh violets, hints of mint or eucalypt and a pinch of clove seasoned over a deep, dark pool of blackcurrants and blackberries. The palate provides earthy, intense, full-bodied, textured and flavoursome characteristics that marry well with classic French cuisine. Rich game dishes such as kangaroo and venison are also a perfect match. Cellar this wine for 7-10 years and be rewarded with a wine that becomes soft, silky and velvet like on the palate.

 (Class 14) – 2012 Limestone Coast Wine Show 94 Points James Halliday 2013 AUSTRALIAN WINE COMPANION 96 Points NICK STOCK - 2013 Good Wine Guide, BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON Click here for detailed tasting notes

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Cellar Door Bottle $42.00

Club Bottle $35.50 ‘Q4’ Member $33.60

RESTAURANT REVIEW Luke Benchmark Restaurant & Oyster Bar 234 Princes HWY Sylvania Heights, NSW 2224 (02) 9544 6233 www.lukebenchmark.com.au

Hot Oyster

Luke Collins has spent the majority of his cooking career honing his skills in five star establishments in Whistler and London, however it was always his dream to one day return to his hometown and open an award winning restaurant. Mission accomplished.

Panko with Lime Aioli 1 Dozen fresh oysters Panko bread crumbs 1 egg white 50g plain flour

Half an hour south of Sydney you’ll find Luke Benchmark Restaurant & Oyster Bar, nestled in Sylvania Heights, a coastal town in the Sutherland Shire.

Armed with a team of exciting and determined chefs, they continually push the boundaries for suburban dining in Sydney. Luke, along with his significant other Jillian Collins have always ensured the quality of the produce to be paramount and the elegant yet edgy restaurant designed to make you feel like you are in a chic city local.

Luke Benchmark Restaurant & Oyster Bar can’t be discussed without mentioning the extraordinary Oyster menu that sits alongside a very impressive modern Australian menu.

The oyster menu offers twelve different varieties, six hot and six cold with the option of ordering the famous Benchmark dozen where you are able to try one of each.

The rest of the menu is seasonal, ranging from Hunter Valley eye-fillet, twice-cooked free range duck, whole baby snapper and a self-saucing chocolate fondant that has never been allowed to leave the menu at the ‘regulars’ request.

With a major project currently underway for the Benchmark team it’s hard not to feel excited about the humble beginnings of Luke Benchmark Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Luke Benchmark has featured in the SMH Good Food for the fourth year in a row.

Lime Aioli 1 egg yolk 30 ml white wine vinegar 1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard 100ml vegetable oil Juice and zest of half a lime

Cold Oyster

1 dozen fresh Oysters 750 ml Champagne 1 lemon *1 cup of sugar (for sugar syrup)

In a mixer whisk all ingredients until pale, then very slowly drizzle in 100 ml vegetable oil. Finish by adding juice and zest of 1/2 a lime. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Thoroughly coat oyster in flour, followed by egg white, followed by panko bread crumbs.

Lightly shallow or deep fry in pan for 20 seconds, until golden.

*Sugar Syrup

To serve

Bring to boil, simmer for 3 minutes: 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water. Let cool in fridge

Put oyster back in shell and add a dollop of aioli.

Champagne Granita with Smoked Salmon

Champagne Granita Add 1 cup sugar syrup, whisk in 1 bottle of champagne and the juice and zest of 1 lemon.

Pour into air tight container, freeze.

To serve

WHERE TO FIND OUR WINES Fifth Element Bar & Dining South Bank QLD

Scrape Granita with fork, place granita on oyster with small slither of smoked salmon or salmon roe.

NSW& ACT

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Luke Benchmark Restaurant Sylvania The Artisan Restaurant Narrabundah ACT

Makes two dozen, keep leftover granita in freezer for next time!

Try with our Reserve 'Alluvius' Hunter Valley Semillon

Salsa Bar & Grill Port Douglas

VIC

Mrs Hyde Geelong Collins Quarter Melbourne

CLICK HERE TO RECEIVE YOUR COPY OF THE 2014 EVENTS CALENDAR FOR THE FRIDGE!

CANBERRA MEMBERS’ DINNER

2014 EVENTS CALENDAR

Friday 13th June, 2014

The Pepper Tree team have an exciting calendar of events arranged for 2014.

Keep an eye out on the website for updates and for further information.

Waters Edge Restaurant Parkes, Canberra ACT

MARCH Sydney Members’ Dinner Friday 7th March – taking wait list Baroque Bistro, The Rocks NSW

Join the Pepper Tree team in the nation’s capital at the highly regarded restaurant Waters Edge.

‘Q4’ Benchmark Tasting Friday 28th March – taking wait list Pepper Tree, Pokolbin NSW

Enjoy a relaxed evening with a menu of experimental Modern European-Australian cuisine that has been perfectly matched with

APRIL Brisbane April Members' Dinner Friday 11th April Moda Restaurant, Brisbane QLD

selected premium Pepper Tree Wines. $120 per person

M AY Annual Harvest Luncheon Saturday 10th May – taking wait list Saturday 17th May – taking wait list Pepper Tree Wines, Pokolbin NSW

To secure your seat, please phone the Wine Club on Freecall 1800 655 965 or email ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au

JUNE Canberra Members' Dinner Friday 13th June Waters Edge, Parkes ACT

Pepper Tree Moves to

J U LY Brisbane Members' Dinner Friday 4th July Era Bistro, South Brisbane QLD

Sunlight has always played a pivotal role

AUGUST 'Q4' Winemakers Table Luncheon Saturday 2nd August Saturday 9th August Pepper Tree Winery, Pokolbin NSW

Solar Power in the winemaking process. Now it is also helping Pepper Tree to reduce its Carbon footprint.

Pepper Tree Wine's is the fourth winery to receive funding under the Clean – Technology Investment Program from the Federal Government to install solar panels.

Covering the winery's roof the system will cut our longer term energy costs by about 20% 30% and carbon emissions by 20%.

The 80.5 kilowatt solar panel system will not only produce discounted power from the sun, but it will also give us improved capacity to run machinery like our refrigeration systems, without having to worry about the cost of implementing extra infrastructure to overcome power

shortage

issues

as

previously

experienced. These blackouts can sometimes be up to eight hours in summer and during vintage can trigger the fermentation process causing more problems for our winemakers.

The solar power kiosk is projected to save our business more than $500,000 over the next 10 years.

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Pooch Picnic Sunday 31st August Pepper Tree Winery, Pokolbin NSW SEPTEMBER Melbourne Members' Dinner Friday 5th September Matteo’s Restaurant, Fitzroy VIC OCTOBER PTW Spring Food & Wine Celebration Saturday 18th October Pepper Tree Winery, Pokolbin NSW NOVEMBER Sydney Harbour Evening Cruise Friday 7th November, 7–10pm Sydney Harbour Afternoon Cruise Saturday 8th November, 2–5pm DECEMBER ‘Q4’ Afternoon Christmas Cruise Sunday 7th December, 2–5pm To enquire or book please CLICK HERE to e-mail or FREECALL 1800 655 965 Conditions: Event details subject to change.

Due to the extremely high and growing demand fgrowing demand, selected events such as the Annual Harvest Luncheon and Sydney Harbour Cruises have set ticket limitations of 6 tickets per member.

P E P P E R TRE E P E T C LU B We are delighted to introduce you to one of our valued Pet Club members – Ollie.

5 minutes with Ollie Age: 15 months and still growing Breed: German Shorthaired Pointer (GSP)

Ollie

Favourite Food: Pretty easy going, happy with anything that pops up on the menu.

Recently sampled some chili’s from the garden and quickly discovered this was not a good idea!

Favourite Toy: A blue rubber ball which is reluctantly share sometimes with Bronson the other dog at home or any stick that is found and his mate Crackle (pictured left), the miniature pig - his favourite mate.

Pet Hate: Kookaburras. They wake him up every morning!

A day in the life of Ollie: Ollie recently snuck out of the property, through a hole in the dog fence, thanks to the roo's we have here. Ollie and his mate Crackle (the pig) had a big day out in neighbouring properties and through the Paterson village. Fortunately some good people brought them back home safely and nearly everyone in Paterson knows Ollie and Crackle now.

Unfortunately for them, the fence is now fixed and the adventure is over - till next time.

Other info about Ollie: Ollie is a lovely young boy always on the look for someone to play with.

Pepper Tree Pet Club Ambassador Dexter would like to welcome your furry family member to join the Pepper Tree Pet Club!

Join the Club for $39.95, including: • Pepper Tree Wines dog lead RRP $18.50 • 1 bottle of wine RRP $18.00 • Treat for your furry friend in your Wine Club committed cases • Membership Certificate • Plus complimentary bowl of water and treats upon their visit to the winery

Click to Join Pepper Tree Pet Club or Phone 1800 655 965

SAVE THE DATE 2014 PEPPER TREE WINES

Pooch Picnic Sunday 31st August 2014

JOIN PEPPER TREE PET CLUB

Pencil in your diary our 3rd annual Pooch Picnic Day! Enjoy a day out with the entire family at Pepper Tree with Dr Katrina Warren and ‘The Wonderdogs’. There will be lots of stalls, trick demonstrations and the agility course to test your pooch’s skills! Gold coin donation entry fee to nominated charity.

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Q4 Club Prices will be adjusted accordingly VARIETAL

REGION

VINTAGE

RRP

CLUB BTL

BTL QTY

CLUB CASE

CASE QTY

TOTAL

AUTUMN SPECIALS Autumn Mixed White Selection

252.00

199.00

Autumn Mixed Red Selection

279.00

220.00

Ethiopian Limu Coffee Beans - 250g

12.50

10.50

GRAND RESERVE RANGE

6 PACK

'Strandlines' Cabernet Shiraz

Wrattonbully

2010

55.00

46.50

279.00

Single Vineyard 'Block 21A' Cab Sav

Wrattonbully

2012

60.00

51.00

306.00

RESERVE RANGE

12 PACK

'Alluvius' Semillon

Hunter Valley

2013

35.00

29.50

Orange

2012

35.00

29.50

354.00

Wrattonbully

2010

42.00

35.50

426.00

'The Gravels' Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2010

42.00

35.50

426.00

'Coquun' Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2011

60.00

51.00

612.00

'Elderslee Road' Cabernet Sauvignon

Wrattonbully

2010

42.00

35.50

426.00

'Calcare' Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra

2010

42.00

35.50

426.00

'Venus Block' Chardonnay '14 Shores' Merlot

SINGLE VINEYARD - LIMITED RELEASE

354.00

12 PACK

'Tallawanta' Semillon

Hunter Valley

2013

28.00

23.50

282.00

'Tallavera' Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2011

45.00

38.00

456.00

LIMITED RELEASE RANGE

12 PACK

'Silenus' Sparkling

Orange

2011

40.00

34.00

408.00

Hunter Valley

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Orange

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Wrattonbully

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Viognier

Wrattonbully

2012

22.00

19.00

228.00

Chardonnay

Hunter Valley

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Chardonnay

Wrattonbully

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Rosé Merlot

Hunter Valley

2013

23.50

20.00

240.00

'Classics' Cabernet Merlot

Wrattonbully

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

Orange

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

Hunter Valley

2012

35.00

29.50

354.00

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc Pinot Gris – released March

Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz VARIETAL RANGE

12 PACK

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal

2013

18.00

15.00

180.00

Pinot Gris

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

Chardonnay

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

Merlot

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

Shiraz

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

DESSERT & FORTIFIED

180.00 12 PACK

Late Harvest 'Sticky Pig' Pinot Gris

2013

25.00

21.00

252.00

Tipsy Muscat – limited stock

Wrattonbully

NV

55.00

46.50

558.00

Vin de Vie – limited stock

NV

35.00

30.00

MIXED DOZENS

360.00 12 PACK

Mixed Dozen

270.00

White Dozen

262.00

Red Dozen

274.00 FREIGHT $8 PER CASE

TO ORDER: phone 1800 655 965 or print page, complete & fax to 1800 247 746 or e-mail to ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au

TOTAL $

Full Name: Membership No:

D.O.B.

Delivery Address: Suburb: State:

P/Code:

Delivery Instructions: Work Ph: Home : Mobile: E-mail: Payment Method: Card No.

Mastercard

Visa

Amex

Diners

FOR YOUR SECURITY DETAILS BELOW THIS POINT WILL BE DESTROYED ONCE THE ORDER IS PROCESSED.

Expiry Date:

CCV No.

Card Holder/s Name: Card Holder/s Signature: DATE OF BIRTH MUST BE PROVIDED TO COMPLY WITH LIQUOR ACT REQUIREMENTS. BY PROVIDING YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION YOU ARE GIVING PEPPER TREE WINES PERMISSION TO CONTACT YOU PERIODICALLY VIA MAIL, PHONE AND EMAIL WITH FUTURE SPECIAL OFFERS AND PROMOTIONS FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD. PEPPER TREE WINES PTY LTD LIQUOR LICENCE NUMBER 2400 3080.

LIQUOR ACT1982- IT IS AN OFFENCE TO SELL OR TO SUPPLY TO OBTAIN LIQUOR ON BEHALF OF A PERSON UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS. ABN 67000 055 470