'The Grind' - Seasoned News from Pepper Tree

ISSUE 20 SPRING 2014

BEST RED

AT HUNTER WINE SHOW TWO YEARS RUNNING

Winner! 'Excellence in Customer Service' Award - Hunter Business Awards

SPRING SPECIALS

WINE REVIEWS 1

WELCOME As we move into the season of spring, we look forward to welcoming members and guests to our upcoming inaugural event, the Spring Food & Wine Celebration to be held on the lawns at Pepper Tree! Tickets are still available to this anticipated event – see page 6 for more information.

Pepper Tree are excited to announce some great achievements being made during the final months of winter! Chief Winemaker Scott Comyns and the Winemaking team continued their success at this year’s 2014 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show. They were awarded four trophies including the prestigious ‘Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy - Best Dry Red Wine of Show’ for the 2011 Grand Reserve Single Vineyard ‘Tallawanta’ Hunter Valley Shiraz. This doubles up on the 2013 Hunter Valley Wine Show success where they also took out four trophies for the 2011 Limited Release Hunter Valley Shiraz, which also claimed the ‘Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy - Best Dry Red Wine of Show’. An outstanding achievement for the team at Pepper Tree!

We are also excited to receive the ‘Excellence in Customer Service’ Award at the recent Hunter Business Awards dinner. This award recognises the hard work of the team and the diverse range of products and services that we offer to customers and our members.

Recently joining our Cellar Door is our new Cellar Door Manager Luke Mulligan, we are delighted to welcome Luke to the team – to find out a bit about Luke, take a look at the staff profile to the right.

Please let us know if you plan to visit the Cellar Door over the months of spring as we would be delighted to book you and your guests into our Members Tasting Lounge. We have some exclusive releases available from our museum to sample and to purchase – call the Wine Club on 1800 655 965 for more information!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

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

Introducing Luke Mulligan Cellar Door Manager

We are pleased to introduce you to our new Cellar Door Manager – Luke.

Luke comes from Greystones, County Wicklow near Dublin, Ireland and has been in Australia for about 7 years. It is a delight to have Luke a part of the team at Pepper Tree and he is looking forward to meeting our Wine Club Members on your next visit to the Cellar Door!

How long have you been working in the Hunter Valley for? I have been

working in the Hunter for nearly 3 (three not tree) years.

Cheers The Pepper Tree Team

What was it that attracted you most to Pepper Tree? The position, staff,

Wine Club, history and the way you can bring your dog along to the Cellar Door!

Pepper Tree Social Corner

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

Wine Club available, along with the location, geography and history!

Keep up to date with what has been happening at Pepper Tree through the eyes of social media!

What is your favourite Pepper Tree wine currently available? 2011 The 'Cessnock Six' walking group in their Pepper Tree polos on a coffee pitt stop at 'Contango'!

Reserve ‘Coquun’ Hunter Valley Shiraz What recently released wine do you think our members should keep an eye out for? Anything from the 2014

vintage along with the 2014 ‘Sticky Pig’!

What is the most memorable wine you have had? 2009 Hentley Farm 'Clos Winery boys re-bottling and 'quality control testing' our 2004 Grand Reserve reds

Otto' Shiraz Scott collecting his trophies at the Hunter Valley Wine Awards Lunch

All set for our 'Q4' Winemakers Table Luncheon

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

Bill Bailey, David Attenborough and Jennifer Aniston What is your greatest weakness?

Darth Vader! Oh no, booze!

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

Hunter Valley Tristan accepting the 'Excellence in Customer Service' Award

Welcome to the Sourdough Baker Workshop

Sourdough class in action

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What do you like to do in your spare time? Eat, drink & sleep! I like cars

(shows & driving), music. And eating and drinking!!

S P RI N G S P E CI ALS

To place your ord er, simply c om attached plete the o or follow rder form, the links to the ONL INE SHOP

Spring Mixed Dozen Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2013 Limited Release ‘Tallawanta’ Hunter Valley Semillon 2014 Limited Release Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Limited Release Rosé Hunter Valley Shiraz Merlot 2010 Reserve ’14 Shores’ Wrattonbully Merlot

Wine Club Members Case Special $259 RRP $346.50, saving $87.50 + freight free

Tasting notes and free freight included

Spring White Dozen Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2013 Limited Release ‘Tallawanta’ Hunter Valley Semillon 2014 Limited Release Orange Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Limited Release Hunter Valley Verdelho 2013 Limited Release Wrattonbully Pinot Gris

Wine Club Members Case Special $210 RRP $282, saving $72 + freight free

Tasting notes and free freight included

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News from the Winemaker

Scott Comyns

SP R I NG T I ME I N T HE VI NEYA RD It has been another long cold winter and until recently, very dry.

Driving through the vineyards, we are already seeing plenty of new growth on the vines which means Vintage will once again be knocking on the door as soon as we arrive back from our Christmas break! The recent rainfall has been well appreciated.

Finally we will get some colour back into the Valley and this will set the vines up with some much needed nutrients ready to supply and ripen our lovely grapes!

including the 2013 Chardonnay, 2014 Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, and our 2013 Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz! Whilst this is all happening it is time to start grading our 2014 Vintage reds. An exciting time of the year, to see the full scope of what has been achieved this year in the winery. Here we make the call on the future direction of each batch of wine, which ultimately determines whether the wine will make Reserve, Limited Release or Varietal Range quality.

Winery

Spring Food & Wine Celebration!

As soon as our winery team finished packing up after our ‘Q4’ Winemakers Table Luncheons, it was time to celebrate another year of top awards from the Hunter Valley Wine Show. Another 4 trophies to add to the pool room! And a few sore heads the following morning! When the boys finish drinking out of the trophies, they will be blending a few of our Varietal Range wines,

Bring along your friends and family to this event for a fun, relaxed day at Pepper Tree. Don’t forget to put your name down to attend a Masterclass also – I look forward to seeing you there!

Cheers

PE PPE R T REE W I NES ‘ Q4 ’ C L UB ‘Q4’ stands behind our philosophy of providing ‘Quality’ wine on a 'Quarterly' basis.

• 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 • 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

‘Q4’ Members will be offered an invitation to exclusive events taking place in 2014 including: Sunday 7th December – ‘Q4’ Afternoon Christmas Cruise Limited spots available to these exclusive events - book now 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 2014 LIMITED RELEASE HUNTER VALLEY ROSÉ SHIRAZ MERLOT

2011 GRAND RESERVE SINGLE VINEYARD ‘TALLAWANTA’ HUNTER VALLEY SHIRAZ

The 2014 Rosé is a refreshing early drinking, dry style Rosé made from Shiraz and Merlot grapes off our Hunter Valley vineyard.

The best Hunter Shiraz comes from old vines grown on the renowned red clay soils on the foothills of the Brokenback Range.

The Tallawanta vineyard was planted in the 1920's by the Elliot family and to this day produces some of the Hunter’s best Shiraz.

Now under the care of Pepper Tree, these 90 year old vines produce tiny quantities of intensely flavoured fruit.

Rich Turkish Delight and subtle strawberry flavours are abundant on the palate. The Shiraz component provides subtle spice and length while the Merlot creates elements of soft cherry, both creating a wine with balanced acidity and vibrancy.

Medium bodied in style with an unmatched ability to age in the bottle, this 2011 Vintage is a wine of great purity, length and longevity - a true Hunter classic.

The 2014 Vintage was an exceptional vintage in the Hunter with reds picked in good condition with very good flavour and balance, producing outstanding wines with great depth and balance.

V I N TA G E The 2011 Hunter harvest started later than usual (27th January) but back to normal in historical terms. After a mild and wet spring and early summer things dried up. The cooler than normal weather patterns helped the fruit retain good natural acidity ensuring great balance and length of flavour. Good rainfall throughout the prior year allowed the vines to return to normal cropping levels (after the minuscule crops of 2010). Overall a very good harvest from the Hunter Valley.

A perfect wine to enjoy over a warm spring day long lunch in the sun with BBQ seafood, pork belly and fresh salads followed by a selection of cheese.

WINEMAKING Maceration on skins to develop further flavour and texture. Also known as ‘Sancerre’ being a French wine term for Rosé.

AWARDS Hunter Valley Wine Show 2013 (Class 13)

GOLD MEDAL

BLEND

Hunter Valley Wine Show 2014 (Class 24)

Shiraz (80%), Merlot (20%) Cellar Door Bottle $23.50

Club Bottle $20.00 ‘Q4’ Member $18.80

 DOUG SEABROOK

MEMORIAL TROPHY (Best Red Wine of the Show)

Click here for detailed tasting notes

 JAMES BUSBY

MEMORIAL TROPHY (Best Mature Three Year Old & Older Shiraz)

 DRAYTONS FAMILY TROPHY (Best Named Vineyard Red Wine)

HECTOR TULLOCH MEMORIAL TROPHY (Best Shiraz)

Click here for detailed tasting notes

5

Cellar Door Bottle $90.00

Club Bottle $76.50 ‘Q4’ Member $72.00

Member Tasting Lounge Spring Special Join in and celebrate ‘spring’ with Pepper Tree’s Cellar Door team. Book into the Members Tasting Lounge over the months of September, October and November and receive a complimentary bottle of our premium 2013 Limited Release Hunter Valley Semillon valued at $22 per bottle.

Please quote "SLR13SEM" when making your booking to receive this bottle!

To book phone Freecall 1800 655 965 or email ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au Please Note: Bookings Essential. To take advantage of this offer or to book the Members Tasting Lounge you must be a current member of PTW. Offer is limited to one bottle per membership. Upon booking please make staff aware if other members will be in attendance at the tasting.

Bring along a picnic rug to kick back on, or dance to the groovy tunes of The Big Bang while you sample some sensational Pepper Tree Wines and taste the flavours of our four regions. Enjoy a casual lunch prepared by Chef Andrew Wright (The Cellar Restaurant).

Tickets include; • Tasting Glass • Food and Wine Tokens TICKETS • Contango Coffee Voucher • 30 Minute Masterclass ONLY with our Winemaker. Bookings are essential.

$55.00

PER PERSON

6

FUNCTIONS REVIEW Canberra Members' Dinner Friday 13th June, Waters Edge Restaurant The team ventured to our nation’s Capital once again for a great dinner with Pepper Tree Wines expertly matched to an exquisite menu created

by Waters Edge Restaurant.

Brisbane Members’ Dinner Friday 4th July, Era Bistro We were delighted to again host our July Brisbane Members’ Dinner at Era Bistro. The Era team looked after our Members & guests extremely well and provided a great match to some new releases of the Pepper Tree Range.

‘Q4’ Winemakers Table Luncheon Saturday 2nd & Saturday 9th August, Pepper Tree Winery Our ‘Q4’ Members once again were invited to the exclusive ‘Q4’ Winemakers Table Luncheon held in our winery on consecutive Saturdays. With a temporary kitchen created in the Winery, Troy RhodesBrown of Muse Restaurant worked his magic and created an exceptional food experience for our members to enjoy. This event marked the inaugural Single Barrel release of specific varieties whereby John Davis & Scott Comyns personally selected the top barrels that were tasted and offered to 'Q4' Members to purchase prior to being hand bottled by Scott to their own bottling preferences. Thank you to those who attended and we look forward to this special event next year.

Sydney Members' Mid-Year Dinner Friday 25th July, Baroque Bistro Due to an overwhelming response to our dinner at Baroque Bistro earlier in the year, we decided to host another food & wine dinner for those who were unable to secure tickets. Winemaker Scott Comyns talked us through the wines matched with each course and Chef Drew Bolton, once again created some fabulous dishes that were a perfect match!

Pepper Tree Pooch Picnic Sunday 31st August, Pepper Tree The Pepper Tree team were once again delighted to welcome guests and their pooches to Pepper Tree for the annual Pooch Picnic! With the weather gods on our side providing an absolutely perfect day, guests soaked up the sun as they watched Dr Katrina Warren and The Wonderdogs who put on an amazing show of tricks and agility that kept everyone entertained! Thank you to everyone who came along for such a great day!

REE T R E P EP

B U L C T PE

P

5 minutes with Roscoe Nick Names: "Rosky" or "Roscinator" Age: 7.5 months Breed: English Cocker Spaniel / Poodle Favourite Food: Loves pigs ears and chicken wings ... and after Christmas last year, he found his way to loving xmas pudding the cheeky dog (he hasn’t had any pudding since) Favourite Toy: Playing fetch at the dog park and playing with other puppies Pet Hate: Not getting hugs from people and not getting kisses from other dogs.

A day in the life of Roscoe: Say good morning to daddy every day at 5.30am. Once dad goes to work I jump on

We are delighted to introduce you to one of our valued Pet Club members – Roscoe. the bed to give mum some cuddles. I have breakfast just before mum leaves for work...

I love it when mum and dad arrive home from work, we go for a long walk near the water where there's so many dogs I say g’day to along the way.... then my favourite part of the day comes when I have dinner... then sleep then the same routine all over again!

Other info about Roscoe: Roscoe is just a super affectionate dog!

Loves kids, loves puppies, loves socialising, just a great dog to have around. He'll always be in your face when you’re having dessert!

He's also very dopey and clumsy! It’s never a dull moment with Roscoe around. And lastly, he's a chick magnet….

Join Pepper Tree Pet Club Club for $39.95 & recieve • Pepper Tree Wines dog lead RRP $18.50 • 1 bottle of wine RRP $18.00 • Treat for your furry friend in Click to Join your Wine Club committed Pepper Tree Pet cases Club or Phone • Membership certificate 1800 655 965 • Plus complimentary bowl of water and treats upon their visit to the winery

2014 EVENTS The Pepper Tree team have an exciting calendar of events arranged for the second half of the year. Keep an eye out on the website for updates and for further information.

OCTOBER PTW Spring Food & Wine Celebration Saturday 18th October Pepper Tree Winery, Pokolbin NSW NOVEMBER Sydney Harbour Evening Cruise Friday 7th November, 7–10pm - taking wait list

ETHIOPIAN - YIRGACHEFFE HISTORY Legend has it that Kaldi, a humble goat herder, discovered the first coffee tree while walking through a forest in western Ethiopia.

Kaldi’s goats did a funny dance after nibbling on some red berries. He tried a few and began dancing too...

to produce coffees that are so distinct and well-recognized internationally that they are grouped into their own special category.

FLAVOUR PROFILE

Ethiopia has an estimated 1.2 million smallholder coffee farmers, who use only traditional, organic farming practices.

Yirgacheffe coffee is renowned for bright citrus acidity, often with lemony character and excellent sweetness. The other most outstanding hallmark of the coffee is a light, herbaceous quality that compliments the fruit flavours well, for a complex and flavourful coffee.

Yirgacheffe is a small micro-region within the much larger region of Sidamo. The high altitudes of this small region afford it

SILVER - ROYAL HOBART FINE FOOD SHOW 2014

AWARDS

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Sydney Harbour Afternoon Cruise Saturday 8th November, 2–5pm - taking wait list DECEMBER ‘Q4’ Afternoon Christmas Cruise Sunday 7th December, 2–5pm

2015 M AY Annual Harvest Luncheon Saturday 23rd May – taking wait list Saturday 30th May – taking wait list Pepper Tree Wines, Pokolbin NSW 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, selected events such as the Annual Harvest Luncheon and Sydney Harbour Cruises have set ticket limitations per member.

Q4 Club Prices will be adjusted accordingly VARIETAL

REGION

VINTAGE

RRP

CLUB BTL

BTL QTY

CLUB CASE

CASE QTY

TOTAL

'THE GRIND' SPRING SPECIALS Spring Mixed Dozen

$346.50

$259.00

Spring White Dozen

$282.00

$210.00

GRAND RESERVE RANGE

6 PACK

Single Vineyard '8R' Merlot

Wrattonbully

2012

60.00

51.00

306.00

'Tallawanta' Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2011

90.00

76.50

459.00

'Strandlines' Cabernet Shiraz

Wrattonbully

2010

55.00

46.50

RESERVE RANGE

279.00 12 PACK

'Alluvius' Semillon

Hunter Valley

2014

35.00

'Venus Block' Chardonnay

29.50

354.00

Orange

2013

35.00

29.50

354.00

'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

2010

42.00

35.50

426.00

SINGLE VINEYARD - LIMITED RELEASE 'Tallawanta' Semillon

12 PACK

Hunter Valley

2013

28.00

23.50

LIMITED RELEASE RANGE

282.00 12 PACK

'Silenus' Sparkling

Orange

2011

40.00

34.00

408.00

Semillon

Hunter Valley

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Verdelho

Hunter Valley

2014

22.00

19.00

228.00

Orange

2014

22.00

19.00

228.00

Pinot Gris

Wrattonbully

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

Viognier

Wrattonbully

2013

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

Rose Shiraz Merlot

Hunter Valley

2014

23.50

20.00

240.00

Merlot

Wrattonbully

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

'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

Varietal

2014

18.00

15.00

180.00

Verdelho

Varietal

2014

18.00

15.00

180.00

Pinot Gris

Varietal

2013

18.00

15.00

180.00

Chardonnay

Varietal

2013

18.00

15.00

180.00

Merlot

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal

2013

18.00

15.00

180.00

Shiraz

Varietal

2013

18.00

15.00

Sauvignon Blanc

Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz VARIETAL RANGE

12 PACK

DESSERT & FORTIFIED

180.00 12 PACK

Late Harvest 'Sticky Pig' Pinot Gris

Wrattonbully

2014

25.00

21.00

MIXED DOZENS

252.00 12 PACK

Mixed Dozen

267.50

White Dozen

258.00

Red Dozen

272.00 Freight $12 per case | Wine Club Members $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.

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Mastercard

Visa

Amex

Diners

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

Expiry Date:

CCV No.

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