The Grind - Seasoned News from Pepper Tree, Summer 2011

ISSUE 9 - SUMMER 2011

Good Wine Guide –

Semillon of the Year

Christmas Specials |

2012 Functions Calendar Annual Gala Dinner Sydney Members’ Dinner

Restaurant1 Feature |

MUSEUM RELEASE

Welcome

The team at Pepper Tree have been busy preparing themselves for the festive season and will be rightfully celebrating what has been an extremely successful 2011! This year Pepper Tree has achieved many milestones - some of the standout highlights include being awarded “Cellar Door of the Year” at the 2011 Hunter Valley Legends and Wine Industry Awards. This was backed up with receiving a highly credible “5 Star” winery rating and moving to a "Red 5 Star" status in the 2012 James Halliday Wine Companion, after receiving a 94+ point ratings for more than 4 consecutive years. There are also numerous wine accolades and reviews which we touch on throughout the newsletter. We are all extremely proud of these impeccable achievements and look forward to seeing what is in store for 2012!!

Throughout 2011 we have had a wonderful time visiting members all over the country, providing them with exceptional wine and food experiences! Make sure you keep an eye out in our Calendar of Events to see what we have in store for you in 2012.

If you are interested in attending any functions, please let us know as they do book out fast!

The Winemaking Team always look forward to this time of the year, it allows them to wind down and relax with family and friends before kicking off the new year with the 2012 Vintage expected to begin late January! This is not the case for all, as our Cellar Door team are eagerly awaiting the stampede of people over the Christmas period with open arms to welcome our members upstairs in their very own private tasting lounge. We hope to see you, your friends and family over the festive season – don’t forget to book (FREECALL 1800 655 965) to enjoy a relaxing tasting experience on the balcony, sampling our latest premium wines along with a cheese plate! The Pepper Tree Cellar Door will be open every day over the festive season except Christmas Day! From all the team here at Pepper Tree, we would like to thank you for all your support you have shown us throughout 2011, we wish you and your families all a very

Merry Christmas and safe and Happy New Year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2012 for another exciting year!

Cheers, The Pepper Tree Team

Staff Profile;

Gerry Conquest Gerry is a valued staff member at Pepper Tree and has been with the company almost 5 years; Gerry brings a wealth of knowledge to the company with many years of industry experience. Gerry takes care of Pepper Tree’s Wholesale Department as well as being one of the warm and friendly faces that greets you at the Cellar Door!

What do you like most about working at Pepper Tree Wines? I enjoy constantly meeting new people and educating them about our wines.

What do you believe Pepper Tree’s greatest strength is? The dedicated, knowledgeable staff and our handcrafted award winning wines!

What is the strangest comment that someone has said to you? How do you add the spice to the wine?

What is your favourite Pepper Tree wine currently available? It would have to be the Reserve 2009 “Calcare” Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon!

Which upcoming wine are you most looking forward to trying? Definitely the Grand Reserve 2010 “Strandlines” Wrattonbully Cabernet Shiraz.

What has been your favourite Members Event that you have attended? I really enjoy the annual Budburst Luncheon in October along with the Harvest Luncheons in May! Which member event are you looking forward to next? I’m really looking forward to our next Gala Event, February 2012 with the theme this year being Moulin Rouge!

What is the funniest or strangest moment that you have experienced while working at Pepper Tree?

When the creek behind the Cellar Door flooded and we all had to abandon the Cellar Door!

If you could have dinner with 3 people of your choice who would it be? Angelina Jolie, Kate Blanchett and Jack Nicholson.

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Great Results for the 2011 'Alluvius' Hunter Valley Semillon

IN THE WINERY WITH JIM CHATTO

Our new release 2011 Alluvius Semillon has recently received some outstanding acclaims by renowned critics James Halliday and Nick Stock, both giving it *97 points! Nick Stock also awarded it his Semillon of the year in the Good Wine Guide 2012! The team at Winewise also rated it as the Top Hunter Valley Semillon of the Vintage.

Fly Fishing in Patagonia Whilst you are reading this I am most likely floating down a stream in Argentine Patagonia trying to outwit the local trout. That’s right I am off on a boy’s trip for two weeks of fishing with some of my oldest mates. Should be plenty of local wine and BBQ ‘Argentine style’; in other words: no shortage of meat. Not exactly sure how I snuck that one past my darling wife, but I’m not questioning it……..

(Just yet ;)

This is really the perfect style for summer in Australia, the perfect accompaniment for seafood. Drinking beautifully now, the 2011 Alluvius will drink well for another 10 to 20 years.

In the Winery

*Nick Stocks - "The Good Wine Guide uses the 100-points scale, a global benchmark for wine ratings."

The winery crew are now winding down for Christmas and starting to clean up for Vintage 2012. We have bottled the last of the 2010 reds and 2011 whites and are very happy with the results.

"The score out of 100 is the basis for the awarding of the prestigious three glass rating, as well as a two-glass and oneglass ratings.

Highlights are the 2010 Reserve “Calcare” Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2011 Reserve “Venus Block” Orange Chardonnay!

96 - 100 It simply doesn't get any better. A benchmark for the style and of world-beating quality.

93 - 95 Seriously great wine with all aspects of style and quality in top form. Well ahead of the pack.

In the Vineyard

90 - 92 This is where serious quality starts to kick in. Greater concentration and purity, superior in every aspect.

This time of year our vineyard manager Belinda is flat out: spraying, slashing, tucking and trimming. Just trying to keep up with the excellent growth this season is delivering.

87 - 89 Good wine that is defined by high-quality fruit, quality winemaking and impressive balance.

Crops are low to moderate, suggesting some pretty good fruit to come (fingers crossed)!

84 - 86 A simple thumbs-up; this wine is soundly made and will deliver reliably enjoyable drinking."

Harvest in the Hunter should kick off sometime around Australia Day, followed by Orange in late February and Wrattonbully/ Coonawarra late March.

The scale is generally 75-100, with 100 being a perfect wine – surely impossible?

97’s are very rare; this is in fact the first time a Pepper Tree wine has scored 97 points!

Cheers, Jim

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WINE REVIEW

"Both these wines were originally destined for the 2010 Limited Release Hunter Valley Shiraz and 2011 Limited Release Hunter Valley Semillon, however as they looked so good, we decided to bottle them separately as 'Single Vineyard' wines under this tier. The 'Tallavera' Shiraz has a lovely mix of red and black fruits with great texture and length. The 'Tallawanta' Semillon is a classic expression of the Hunters' great white; intense lemon, lime flavours with lovely crispness and wonderful length."

Jim Chatto

2011 Limited Release 'Tallawanta' Hunter Valley Semillon Pure Semillon fruit aromas of lemongrass and lime articulate this classic Hunter Semillon. The palate is intense yet elegant, displaying mineral texture with great line and length. A wine of great drive, coupled with extraordinary finesse. Enjoy now or confidently cellar for the next 5 - 10 years.

Winemaker Jim Chatto

94 Points - “Cool mint, juicy, tight but lovely flow and charm. Has a good bit of body, limey and fresh with a long finish. Very good. Delicious. Almost creamy. Super nice.

Drinking:- 2011 - 2021+” Gary Walsh, Wine Front

Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Click on wines to purchase

Cellar Door Bottle $28

Club Bottle $23.50

2010 Limited Release 'Tallavera' Hunter Valley Shiraz A complex mix of spice, earth and ripe mulberry fruit integrated well with savoury oak. The palate is medium bodied and fruit driven displaying sweet berry fruit balanced by fine tannins providing great texture and a classically elegant finish.

Winemaker Jim Chatto

Awards

GOLD (Class 36) - 2011 Dan Murphy’s National Wine Show of Australia SILVER (Class 31)- 2011 Clear Image Hunter Valley Wine Show 96 Points – 2010 Limited Release ‘Tallavera’ Hunter Valley Shiraz James Halliday Australia Top 100 “Crimson-purple; the complex bouquet has plum, mulberry and a hint of a sweet earth, the soft, supple medium-bodied palate with great line, length and balance, the tannins silky, oak restrained.”

Drink to 2030

Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $45

Club Bottle $38

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WINE REVIEW 2011 Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon Vibrant aromas of lemongrass and lime dominate this Hunter Semillon on the nose. The palate is crisp & intense yet elegant, displaying mineral texture delivering wonderful line and length. A classic wine of great drive, coupled with extraordinary finesse and definition. Enjoy now or confidently cellar for the next 10 - 20 years.

Winemaker Jim Chatto

Good Wine Guide 2012 97 Points and Best Semillon – “A wine that will deliver many years of delight, this is a ringing endorsement for all that’s great in terroir-driven Hunter Semillon.” Nick Stock.

James Halliday 2011 NSW Wine Top 100 97 Points – “The bouquet is striking and notably complex, with nuances of grass herb and citrus zest, the palate at once mouthfilling yet elegant, the flavours running through with drive and energy; has the balance, line and length of a true champion. Drink to 2026.”

Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $32

Club Bottle $27.50

If you are not sure if you are a member or you would like to enquire about membership click here

CHRISTMAS SPECIALS 2009 Orange 'Silenus' Sparkling – New Release

MUSEUM RELEASE 2007 Reserve 'Coquun' Hunter Valley Shiraz 96 Points (Best of the Best by Variety) - James Halliday Australian Wine Companion 2012

6 Pack – $150

“Crimson-purple; a supremely elegant wine with remarkable length and intensity to its cavalcade of faintly spicy black fruits and silky tannins, oak in the background. From the low yielding 90 year old Tallawanta Vineyard, one of the Hunter Valley landmarks.

Drink to 2039”. James Halliday

$42 SAVING | Retail $192

2009 Reserve '14 Shores' Coonawarra Merlot

GOLD - 2010 Hunter Valley Wine Show 92 Points – Nick Stock, 2009 Wine 100 Top 40 NSW Wines – 2009 NSW Wine Awards

6 Pack – $165 Dozen – $312

6 Pack Museum Release including timber display box – $357

$108 SAVING | Retail $420

$63 SAVING | Retail $420

$45 SAVING | Retail $210

To place your order, simply complete the attached order form, or click here to email through your order to the Pepper Tree Wine Club.

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PEPPER TREE PET CLUB CORNER PET OF THE MONTH

Happy Birthday Bruce!!

We would like to introduce you to our latest Pet Club member – BRUCE!!!

Bruce is a Welsh Collie, born in Worcester, England in December 2003 and his 8th birthday is coming up soon. Bruce arrived to Australia earlier this year with his family from England.

After a flight half way around the world and four weeks in quarantine, he is now settling in to life on the mid-north coast of NSW at Forster.

Favourite Game: Bruce’s favourite game is catching and returning a rubber ball. When he doesn’t have a ball, he will find a stick. He is very clever at placing his toys where you cannot help but notice them.

Sadly our Pepper Tree Pet Club Ambassador Kimba has recently passed away – to celebrate Kimba’s long and fulfilling life, we are delighted to continue the Pepper Tree Pet Club in his memory.

Favourite Food: Steak (done medium rare), yoghurt, cheese and liver treats are among his favourite foods.

Vegemite is his all-time favourite (we weaned him on to Vegemite at a young age).

Favourite Toy: Alas, the advent of screw caps has deprived Bruce of the joy of chewing wine corks (Shiraz was his favourite).

Interesting Fact: After six months, Bruce’s bark is beginning to develop an Aussie accent!

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

Join the Club for $39.95, including: • Pepper Tree Wines dog lead RRP $18.50 • Winemakers dog postcard - Kimba • 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 • Your canine family member will feature on our Pepper Tree Pet Club Members Board in the Cellar Door!

Dr Katrina Warren’s Training Tips Christmas is family time and for most of us our pets are part of family celebrations and are included in most of the festivities. With all the hustle of preparation, visitors arriving, exchanging gifts and finally sitting down to enjoy festive fare and drinks, it is easy to not notice what the family pet is up to.

Most vet clinic receive several emergency calls on Christmas Day, but with a little planning, most pet mishaps can be avoided.

• There is nothing more enticing to a cat than a tree to climb and how easy it is that symmetrical pine tree – plastic or real. The trouble is that the trees were meant to have a star on top, not a 3kg cat, and the cat and tree will likely come toppling over.

• Tree decorations are dangly toys to cats, and some dogs. If you have pets it is better to use unbreakable decorations rather than glass baubles. The glass used to make the baubles is very fine and splinters can be hard to remove from pads, or worse if swallowed.

Tinsel is glittery and just begs to be played with, however, it is usually made of metal or plastic and can cause serious problems if swallowed.

• Make sure that pets are securely confined when guests are arriving. If young children are visiting, supervise your pets at all times or confine them. Children can over stimulate pets, especially at a time when the children themselves are likely to be over-excited, so most pets appreciate somewhere quiet to retreat to.

• Guests sometimes neglect to shut gates and doors. Make sure your pets are secure and cannot escape your property.

• Rich food, or even just over-indulging, is just as bad for dogs as it is for us- it can cause tummy upsets and pancreatitis. Onions, both raw and cooked are toxic to dogs as are macadamia nuts. Chocolate is also toxic to dogs and should never be given, even as a treat.

• Never give cooked bones as these can splinter and get caught in the throat and gut. Chicken bones are particularly dangerous.

• During all the festivity remember to check on your pets and make sure that they are cool, comfortable and have fresh water.

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RESTARANT FEATURE Three Bistro Discover great food and wine, pure and simple.

Gourmet Traveller 2012 Australian Restaurant Guide "The decor here - polished cement walls, oblong baffles, flattering pendants and soft leather seating - is a cosy take on the hard edged, or vice versa. The menu follows suit; things sound trickedup - a tian here, a farce there - but what arrives is generous, pleasingly familiar and often crumbed" Emporium, Wickham Street Fortitude Valley QLD 07 3852 3133 www.threebistro.com.au

Barbecued Octopus

with Pickled Watermelon and Cous Cous Salad

WHERE TO FIND OUR WINES

Serves 4 500gm Fremantle octopus (marinated) Small bunch watercress 4 slices seedless watermelon approximately 15mm thick 100ml white vinegar 100gm white sugar 100gm cous cous

Perfect with 2011 Limited Release Hunter Valley Verdelho

QLD Capri Café Bar Fortitude Valley NSW

250ml Extra Virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon Harissa sauce Bring 100ml water, sugar and vinegar to the boil and remove from heat Add watermelon and allow to cool covered in liquid for 10 mins.

Remove from liquid and refrigerate Prepare cous cous according to instructions on packet, substituting Extra Virgin olive oil for butter Wash and dry watercress, pick and remove any hard stem, cover and refrigerate Combine 1 teaspoon Harissa with 100ml olive oil, whisk until combined Allow to stand at room temperature Cut octopus tentacles to desired size (approx. 2 pieces per serve) Lightly char on barbecue until warm (remembering tentacles are already cooked) Lay a slice of melon on each plate Gently toss watercress and cous cous with a tablespoon of Harissa dressing, season to taste (More Harissa can be added for a spicier dish) Spoon salad over melon, lay octopus over salad and drizzle with remaining dressing

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Deus Café Camperdown La Scala on Jersey Woollahra

VIC Deco Café & Restaurant Hawthorn

FUNCTIONS CALENDAR

FUNCTION REVIEWS Budburst Luncheon – Saturday 8th October, 2011 Members' and guests were treated to an exclusive luncheon set in the beautiful grounds on the Pepper Tree Estate. Guests were greeted with sparkling wine and canapés on arrival, then moved into the quaint chapel for a casual gourmet lunch, personally prepared by Executive Chef Daniel Hunt.

F E B RUA RY Annual Gala Dinner 'Moulin Rouge' Friday 17th February, 2012 Dolton House Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont $145.00 per person

M A R CH Annual Sydney Members' Dinner Friday 9th March, 2012

Sydney Harbour Cruises – Friday 11th & Saturday 12th November, 2011 The spectacular Sydney Harbour delivered two magnificent nights for our Annual Sydney Harbour Cruises! Guests boarded the Commissioner II and enjoyed sampling a range of premium wines matched to a selection of canapés. Members and guests who attended also took home the ‘Sunset Harbour Cruise Collector Glass’ as a thank you from us!

Wolfies Restaurant, The Rocks $100.00 per person

2012 Calendar of Events soon to be announced!

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

QLD Showcase Members' Dinner – Friday 18th November, 2011 The Pepper Tree Team were excited to travel north for the final event of year in sunny QLD! Members and guests enjoyed a wonderful night of fine food and wine along with great company!

out fast!

To book or enquire about any of the above events please CLICK HERE to e-mail or FREECALL 1800 655 965

PEPPER TREE WINES ANNUAL GALA DINNER

Moulin Rouge Friday 17th February, 2012 Dolton House, Darling Island Wharf, Pyrmont The Pepper Tree Team welcomes members and guests to a night in Paris at the Moulin Rouge! Walk the red carpet and enjoy a night of perfectly matched food and wine with great entertainment! $145.00 per person To book FREECALL 1800 655 965 or email ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au

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TO ORDER: phone 1800 655 965 or print page, complete & fax to 1800 247 746 or click here to download interactive order form REGION

VINTAGE

RRP

CLUB BTL

BTL QTY

CLUB CASE

'Silenus' Sparkling 6 Pack

Orange

2009

192.00

168.00

-

150.00

'14 Shores' Merlot 6 Pack

Coonawarra

2009

210.00

177.00

-

165.00

'14 Shores' Merlot Dozen

Coonawarra

2009

420.00

354.00

-

312.00

'Coquun' Shiraz - 6 Pack Museum Release

Hunter Valley

2007

420.00

-

-

357.00

Wrattonbully

2007

55.00

46.50

'Alluvius' Semillon

Hunter Valley

2011

32.00

27.50

330.00

'Venus Block' Chardonnay

Orange

2010

30.00

27.50

330.00

VARIETAL

CASE QTY

TOTAL

CHRISTMAS SPECIALS

6 PACK

GRAND RESERVE RANGE 'Strandlines' Cabernet Shiraz

279.00 12 PACK

RESERVE RANGE

'14 Shores' Merlot

Coonawarra

2009

35.00

29.50

-

'The Gravels' Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2009

35.00

29.50

354.00

'Elderslee Road' Cabernet Sauv

Wrattonbully

2008

35.00

29.50

354.00

'Calcare' Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra

2009

35.00

29.50

354.00 12 PACK

SINGLE VINEYARD - LIMITED RELEASE 'Tallawanta' Semillon

Hunter Valley

2011

28.00

23.50

'Tallavera' Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2010

45.00

38.00

282.00 456.00 12 PACK

LIMITED RELEASE RANGE 'Silenus' Sparkling

Orange

2009

32.00

28.00

-

Semillon

Hunter Valley

2011

22.00

19.00

228.00

Verdelho

Hunter Valley

2011

22.00

19.00

228.00

Pinot Gris

Wrattonbully

2011

22.00

19.00

228.00

Chardonnay

Hunter Valley

2011

22.00

19.00

228.00

Merlot

Hunter Valley

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00

'Classics' Cabernet Merlot

Wrattonbully

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00

'The Pebbles' Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Orange

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00

Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2010

35.00

29.50

354.00

Tannat

Wrattonbully

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00 12 PACK

VARIETAL RANGE Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal

2011

18.00

15.00

180.00

Verdelho

Varietal

2011

18.00

15.00

180.00

Pinot Gris

Varietal

2011

18.00

15.00

180.00

Unwooded Chardonnay

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Chardonnay

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Merlot

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Cabernet Merlot Franc

Varietal

2009

22.00

18.50

222.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Shiraz

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00 12 PACK

DESSERT & FORTIFIED WINES Vin De Vie

NV

35.00

30.00

360.00 FREIGHT $12 PER CASE

Please Note: A price increase on selected varieties will apply from 1st February, 2012.

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