'The Grind' - Seasoned News from Pepper Tree

ISSUE 16 - SPRING 2013

News from the Winemaker Scott Comyns

BEST RED

at the 2013 Hunter Valley Wine Show

Restaurant Feature

Robert Molines’s Famous Pâté Recipe

SPRING SPECIALS

New Releases | Upcoming Member Events | FUNCTION REVIEW 1

Welcome

Spring has sprung and budburst has begun! It is an exciting time in the vineyard after the vines have been laying dormant during the cooler months over winter. The vines have now started to shoot their new growth, developing into lush green foliage protecting the delicate fruit which starts to form from the external elements.

We have been taking full advantage of the perfect weather which luckily coincided with a number of events held on the grounds of Pepper Tree such as our Annual Pooch Picnic. Members and visitors brought along the entire family for a fun filled day in the sun being entertained by the extremely talented 'The Wonderdogs' along with Dr Katrina Warren. The day was a success with all money raised going to the very worthy cause ‘Hunter Animal Rescue’.

The Pepper Tree team will be hosting some exciting events for our Wine Club Members and guests in the lead up to the festive season. We are excited to soon be hosting the extremely popular Sydney Harbour Cruises and our final event for the year to be held in sunny QLD! If you are interested in attending any Wine Club events next year, please let us know so that we can secure your place as the events do sell out fast!

Pepper Tree is extremely proud to announce that we have once again retained our highly regarded 5 star winery rating.

We received an outstanding result in the 2014 James Halliday Australian Wine Companion with 7 out of 8 wines submitted receiving 94 points and above – see page 5 for details. Following hot on the heels from this, we were also honoured to receive a remarkable 4 trophies at the 2013 Hunter Valley Wine Show for our Limited Release 2011 Hunter Valley Shiraz. The standout award being the ‘Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy – Best Dry Red of Show’, an outstanding achievement for the winemaking team.

We hope to see you and your family and friends as you visit the Cellar Door over the months of spring. Please feel free to call ahead and let us know that you will be visiting to book into the Members Tasting Lounge and relax with family and friends and sample our premium wines, along with a cheese plate to enjoy!

We hope to see you soon!

Cheers, The Pepper Tree Team

CONTANGO ESPRESSO ROASTERS

Feature Bean

PAPUA NEW GUINEA KIMEL PEABERRY HISTORY Papua New Guinea, lying just north of Australia, is the second largest island in the world. One half of the island being the nation of Papua New Guinea and the other half the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya. The Kimel plantation was first established in 1974. The estate is located in the Western Highlands in the Wahgi Valley

and produces some of the finest coffees in PNG. Papua New Guinea Kimel Peaberry is a small bean and is well-balanced with an earthy body, sweet acidity and a complex fruit aroma.

FLAVOUR PROFILE The PNG Peaberry is medium bodied, sweet caramel maltiness, more pronounced spice, and some orange peel on the finish. The coffee is characterized by balanced flavour with a silky texture, complemented by the chocolate-malt overtones. As the cup cools, the spices are more pronounced.

250g Retail $12.50

Special offer $10.50 Freight $6.00 (not applicable when purchased in conjunction with wine). Please mention “The Grind” when purchasing at the Cellar Door.

CONTANGO GOURMET GIFT HAMPER 125g Dark Organic Chocolate Coated Coffee Beans 250g Contango III Bean Classic Coffee – Bronze Medal Contango Cup and Saucer 2013 Limited Release Hunter Valley Rosé Merlot Retail $61.00

Special $50.00 Freight $6.00

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Spring Specials

WHITE SPRING SELECTION Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2013 Limited Release Hunter Valley Semillon 2013 Limited Release Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2013 Limited Release Hunter Valley Verdelho 2012 Limited Release Wrattonbully Pinot Gris

$198 Wine Club Members Case Special

RRP $264, saving $66 + freight free

Tasting notes and free freight included

RED SPRING SELECTION Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2013 Limited Release Rosé Hunter Valley Merlot 2012 Limited Release Wrattonbully Tempranillo 2012 Limited Release ‘The Pebbles’ Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 2010 Reserve ‘14 Shores’ Wrattonbully Merlot

$260 Wine Club Members Case Special

RRP $346.50, saving $86.50 + 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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Staff Profile; Leon Burgess How long have you been working at Pepper Tree Wines for? I started at the end of 2007,

first vintage was 2008.

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

Being able to work with a broad variety of grapes from many different regions of Australia, and the people….. except (Mark) Coster.

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

Great wines at a great price.

What is your favourite Pepper Tree wine currently available?

News from the Winemaker Scott Comyns

2013 Alluvius Hunter Valley Semillon.

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

There are always funny things happening in the winery, I laugh all day, but most recently probably the black snake in the winery was the most memorable moment!

Springtime in the Vineyard A dry winter has brought on Budburst two weeks earlier than normal. It is now October, and the vines have started flowering.

It is my favourite time to be amongst the vines, no longer are we staring at bare vines and brown dirt. New growth is abundant and everything is green, the birds are singing and the snakes are slithering! All we are hoping for now is some more rainfall, to help set the vines up for more growth and ultimately a great crop coming into summer.

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

How much Sauvignon Blanc do you put in the Cabernet Sauvignon? I have since used this in a wine options game!

What has been your favourite Wine Club Member Event?

The Q4 Winemakers Table Luncheon, always a great day!

What is the most memorable wine you have had?

2002 Dom Perignon - first bottle of many, on our honeymoon.

Winery

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

Right now the winery team is busy blending the 2012 Varietal reds from Wrattonbully and Coonawarra. We are very excited about these as 2012 was one of the best vintages down South for our reds, and especially following on from a wet 2011.

Michael Clarke – to ask him his plans for the Ashes.

Eddie Murphy – for a bit of light humour.

Miley Cyrus – to teach me how to twerk it.

Our 2013 ‘Venus Block’ Orange Chardonnay has now been in barrel for about 6 months and will be ready for blending and bottling just before Xmas. The fruit from the ‘Venus Block’ looks even better than last year, so we have very high hopes for the wine once bottled.

What is your greatest weakness?

Scott Comyns

Snowboarding, darts and trying to get my son to sleep.

Any cheese with Moorebank’s Spicy Grape Sauce!

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

Muse, when I can afford it.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

PEPPER TREE WINES ‘Q4’ CLUB ‘Q4’ stands behind our philosophy of providing ‘Quality’ wine on a 'Quarterly' basis.

• Invitation to the exclusive ‘Q4’Annual Winemaker's Table Luncheon, chaired by our Winemakers • 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 • 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.

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 Wines • Complimentary invitation for you and your guest to attend one of Pepper Tree's Member Events of your choice throughout the year

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

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JAM ES HAL L I D AY AU ST RALIA N W I N E C O M PA N I O N 2014 RESULT S

WINE REVIEW

James Halliday is a respected wine critic and vigneron with a career spanning over forty years. We are proud to once again receive a ‘red 5 star rating’ in the 2014 edition. This rating is awarded to an “outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity. Will have at least two wines rated at 94 points or above, and had a five-star rating for the previous two years. It is a winery generally acknowledged to have a long track record of excellence – truly the best of the best”.

Click on wine to purchase

Single Vineyard Reserve ‘Coquun’ Hunter Valley Shiraz 2011 "Like all the Pepper Tree Hunter Valley wines, is the epitome of elegance, yet has untold depths of blackberry and plum fruit that have brushed aside the highquality oak you know is there, likewise the ripe, plum tannins. I will be long gone by the time this wine reaches its peak”. Screwcap. 14% alc. Rating 97, Drink To 2051 Single Vineyard Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon 2009 "Has also left the station on the first stage of its train ride to maturity, the lime and lemongrass flavours intensifying. Retains the 96 points given when first tasted in Sept ’09”.

Screwcap. 10.5% alc. Rating 96, Drink To 2024 Single Vineyard Limited Release ‘Tallavera’ Hunter Valley Shiraz 2011 “Full medium red-purple; a (tasting) buzz word these days is ‘detailed’, and it certainly fits the precision of this medium-bodied wine; the red and black fruits are effortlessly carried by ultra-fine tannins and subtle French oak”. Screwcap.

13.5% alc. Rating 96, Drink To 2041 Single Vineyard Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon 2012 “The bouquet and palate speak with the same voices of lemongrass, citrus and a touch of talc, all classic denominators. But it is the texture of the minerally acidity on the finish and aftertaste that tell you how great the wine will be when it reaches full maturity in 10-20 years, and today’s points will seem niggardly”.

Screwcap. 10.8% alc. Rating 95, Drink To 2027 Single Vineyard Limited Release Hunter Valley Semillon 2009 “There has been barely and colour development over the 3½ years since the wine received 96 points out of the Hunter Valley Wine Show ’09; tight lemon zest, lemon pith and lemon juice, basically unsweetened, flavours still mark the wine”. Screwcap.

11.2% alc. Rating 95, Drink To 2020

94-100 rating Outstanding. Wines of the highest quality, often with a distinguished pedigree.

2 0 1 3 W I N E S HOW TROPH IE S AN D AWAR D S Hunter Valley Wine Show 2013

Limited Release 2012 “The Pebbles” Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier We are pleased to provide you with the release of the latest vintage of the extremely popular “The Pebbles”.

This wine displays a complex aromatic mix of spice and florals with dark berry fruits, integrated well with savoury oak. An opulent and expressive cool climate Shiraz, medium bodied yet powerfully concentrated with dark

berry fruits and wonderful spice. Supple tannins and fine

acidity provide great structure and balance to the sweet

Limited Release Hunter Valley Shiraz 2011 (Class 13)

Elliott Family Trophy (Two Year Old Dry Red Wine) James Busby Memorial Trophy (Premium Vintage Dry Red Wine) Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy (Dry Red Wine Currently Available) Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy (Best Dry Red Wine of Show) Single Vineyard Reserve ‘Coquun’ Hunter Valley Shiraz 2011 (Class 13) Grand Reserve ‘Tallawanta’ Hunter Valley Shiraz 2011 (Class 13) Single Vineyard Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon 2010 (Class 27) Royal Queensland Wine Show 2013

Single Vineyard Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon 2013 (Class 3)

mid palate fruit.

Near perfect growing conditions over the months leading into vintage made 2012 one of the finest vintages of the region on record. Canopy and fruit management over the spring growing season was necessary due to the optimal growing conditions.

96% Shiraz, 4% Viognier Winemaker Scott Comyns Click here for detailed tasting notes

Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show 2013

Single Vineyard ‘Tallavera’ Hunter Valley Shiraz 2011 (Class 74) Single Vineyard Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon 2009 (Class 69) Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2013

Single Vineyard Reserve ’14 Shores’ Wrattonbully Merlot 2010 (Class 38) 5

Cellar Door Bottle $25.00

Club Bottle $21.00 ‘Q4’ Member Price $20.00

Restaurant Review – Bistro Molines 749 Mt View Rd Mt View NSW 2325 (02) 4990 9553 www.bistromolines.com.au Robert Molines, the Hunter Valley’s most awarded and influential chef has continued with his local success by returning to his cooking roots.

Along with a team of young, creative and dedicated chef’s and wait staff, Robert and his wife Sally have over the past five years created a destination frequented by locals and visitors alike.

Bistro Molines is nestled in the beautiful surrounds of Tallavera Grove Vineyard at scenic Mount View and offers the rustic, seasonal and comforting French fare that Robert has become well known for. Sally’s attentive touches of stunning flower arrangements, old French Provincial decorations and her welcoming, honest service style, combined with popular dishes; Robert’s famous Duck Liver Pâté, Slow Braised Civet of Rabbit and Noisette’s of Local Venison, create the perfect template for a restaurant that offers a little piece of Europe in the Hunter.

Bistro Molines has recently been awarded One Chef’s Hat from The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide for the fifth year in a row.

Pâté de Volaille au Cointreau Serves 8 Preparation 40 minutes Cooking 20 minutes Chilling time Overnight 280g butter, diced 500g chicken livers, trimmed 1 large brown onion, diced 4 garlic cloves, whole 60g rindless bacon, chopped Finely grated zest ½ orange 1 ½ Tbsp. (30ml) Cointreau Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste 1 loaf Turkish bread, cut into 3mm slices 30ml olive oil for brushing Turkish bread 8 small cauliflower florets 1 small carrot, peeled and cut into 4cm batons ¼ red capsicum, diced 500ml white vinegar 8 quails eggs 8 cornichons, halved 8 green olives Handful watercress leaves

WHERE TO FIND OUR WINES

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan forced). Place 30g of the butter in a baking dish with the livers, onion, garlic and bacon. Bake for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

2. Meanwhile, place the orange zest, Cointreau and remaining butter into the bowl of a food processor. Remove the livers from the oven when they are cooked but still pink, drain and discard the juices. Add to the food processor and puree until smooth, season with salt and pepper to taste. Push through a fine sieve to remove any lumps.

3. Transfer to a large bowl, cover with cling film, touching the cling film to the top of the pâté to prevent oxidizing. Refrigerate overnight to set.

4. To make the pickled vegetables, bring the vinegar to the boil over high heat.

Place the cauliflower florets, carrots and capsicum in a bowl, pour over the hot vinegar and allow to cool before refrigerating overnight.

5. To make the melba toast, preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan forced). Brush the sliced Turkish bread with olive oil, place on a baking tray and season with sea salt. Bake for 10 minutes until crisp. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

6. Bring a small saucepan of water to the boil. Cook the quails eggs for 5 minutes. Remove from the water and cool before peeling.

7. To serve, use a small ice cream scoop to create a ball of pâté and place into the centre of each serving plate. Garnish with the drained pickled vegetables, cornichons, olives and watercress leaves.

Enjoy alongside 2012 Reserve ‘Venus Block’ Orange Chardonnay

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QLD Alto Cucina & Bar, Broadbeach

NSW Luke Benchmark Restaurant, Sylvania Marigold Restaurant, Haymarket

VIC Deco Café & Restaurant, Hawthorn East Mercato at Dalesford, Daylesford

F U N C T I O N S C A L E N D A R

QU EENS L A N D SHOW CA S E MEMB ER ' S D I N N E R

NOVEMBER Sydney Harbour Evening Cruise Friday 8th November 7pm – 10pm $100 per person

Join the Pepper Tree team for the final member event of 2013 in the sunny Sunshine Coast of Queensland. Enjoy a contemporary and memorable dining experience at the award winning River Cottage Restaurant.

Classically trained Chef and Owner Marc Wohner, has created a specialised menu that has been expertly matched to our award winning wines of 2013.

Sydney Harbour Afternoon Cruise Saturday 9th November 2pm – 5pm $100 per person Queensland Showcase Members' Dinner Saturday 22nd November River Cottage Restaurant, Noosaville QLD $120 per person

Friday 22nd November, 2013 River Cottage Restaurant Noosaville QLD

DECEMBER

$120.00 per person

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

To book phone 1800 655 965 or email ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au

If you are interested in attending any of the above functions we recommend booking ASAP as they do sell out fast!

To book or enquire please CLICK HERE to e-mail or FREECALL 1800 655 965

FUNCTIONS REVIEW The Pepper Tree team have been busy over the last few months visiting our valued members in Wollongong, Brisbane, Canberra and the Central Coast for our Wine Club Member Dinners. We have also hosted our exclusive ‘Q4’ Winemakers Table Luncheons in the winery for our ‘Q4’ members. Thank you to all those who attended these events and enjoyed the memorable food and wine experiences. Our new Winemaker Scott Comyns was fortunate to be able to attend each event and meet many valued members and guests who attended.

‘Q4’ Members & guests at the Brisbane Dinner

Members & guests at the Wollongong Dinner

Members & guests with Assistant Winemaker Leon at the Wollongong Dinner

Proud winner of the ‘Wine Options Game’ at the Central Coast with Chief Winemaker Scott and Cellar Hand Johnno

‘Q4’ Members during the blending exercise at the Winemakers Table Luncheon Dinner

‘Q4’ Members during the blending exercise at the Winemakers Table Luncheon Dinner

Wine Club Members at the Central Coast Dinner

‘Q4’ Members at the Winemakers Table Luncheon

‘Q4’ Members at the Winemakers Table Luncheon with Winemaker Gwyn

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Pooch Picnic

The 2nd annual Pooch Picnic Day was held on 11th August with great success. We had over 500 people attend the event and even more dogs of all shapes and sizes. The weather was a perfect warm winters day which encouraged people to linger and relax in the grounds for a fabulous family day out. The hit of the day was Dr Katrina Warren and ‘The Wonderdogs’ who wowed the crowd with trick demonstrations and an agility course. We look forward to you joining us in 2014!

Pepper Tree Pet Club Ambassador Stella 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 Click to Join treats upon their visit to the winery Pepper Tree Pet • Your canine family member will feature Club or Phone 1800 655 965 on our Pepper Tree Pet Club Members

Pepper Tree Wines are pleased to partner with the Newcastle Art Gallery for the first fashion exhibition to be held at the gallery - AFTER FIVE; Fashion from the Darnell Collection, a major exhibition of fashion and accessories from around the world.

Board in the Cellar Door!

Above: Claudia Chan Shaw (left) with her husband, Stewart White, and Charlotte Smith (right), owner and curator of the Darnell collection

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Q4 Club Prices will be adjusted accordingly VARIETAL

REGION

VINTAGE

RRP

CLUB BTL

BTL QTY

CLUB CASE

CASE QTY

TOTAL

SPRING SPECIALS White Spring Selection

264.00

198.00

Red Spring Selection

346.50

260.00

Contango Gourmet Gift Hamper

60.00

50.00

GRAND RESERVE RANGE 'Strandlines' Cabernet Shiraz

6 PACK Wrattonbully

2010

55.00

46.50

279.00

RESERVE RANGE

12 PACK

'Alluvius' Semillon

Hunter Valley

'Venus Block' Chardonnay

2013

35.00

29.50

354.00 354.00

Orange

2012

35.00

29.50

'14 Shores' Merlot

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

2009

42.00

35.50

426.00

'Calcare' Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra

2010

42.00

35.50

426.00

SINGLE VINEYARD - LIMITED RELEASE

12 PACK

'Tallawanta' Semillon

Hunter Valley

2013

28.00

23.50

282.00

'Tallavera' Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2011

45.00

38.00

456.00

Orange

2009

38.00

32.50

390.00

Hunter Valley

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00 228.00

LIMITED RELEASE RANGE 'Silenus' Sparkling Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

12 PACK

Orange

2013

22.00

19.00

Verdelho

Hunter Valley

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Pinot Gris

Wrattonbully

2012

22.00

19.00

228.00

Viognier

Wrattonbully

2012

22.00

19.00

228.00

RosĂŠ Merlot

Hunter Valley

2013

23.50

20.00

240.00

Tempranillo

Wrattonbully

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

'Classics' Cabernet Merlot

Wrattonbully

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

'The Pebbles' Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

Orange

2011

25.00

21.00

252.00

Hunter Valley

2011

35.00

29.50

Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

354.00

VARIETAL RANGE

12 PACK

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal

2013

18.00

15.00

180.00

Verdelho

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

2011

18.00

15.00

180.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

Shiraz

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

Wrattonbully

2013

25.00

21.00

DESSERT & FORTIFIED Late Harvest 'Sticky Pig'

12 PACK 252.00

DESSERT & FORTIFIED

12 PACK

Mixed Dozen

270.00

White Dozen

262.00

Red Dozen

274.00 FREIGHT $12 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 Full Name:

TOTAL $

Membership No:

Delivery Address: Suburb:

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

Mastercard

Visa

Amex

D.O.B. State:

P/Code:

Mobile:

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

Diners 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