"The Grind, Seasoned News from Pepper Tree", Winter 2013

ISSUE 15 - WINTER 2013

Introducing new Chief Winemaker

Scott Comyns

Winter Specials

New Releases | Upcoming Member Events | FUNCTION REVIEW 1

Welcome

As the cooler days of winter set in over the valley the vines lay dormant in the vineyard and the pruning season begins. The Winery crew have been busy placing the final touches on our fresh young 2013 whites as they begin the bottling process. The 2012 Vintage reds have been nurtured into maturation and we will soon start to see these wines become available in the Cellar Door and Wine Club.

It is an exciting time for Pepper Tree with the appointment of a new Chief Winemaker Scott Comyns. Scott is extremely excited to take on this role and the team are eager to move forward with fresh, new ideas yet still focus on maintaining the high quality style of Pepper Tree. Jim has had a major influence on the Pepper Tree brand and we thank him for his contribution over the past 7 years and wish him all the best of luck with his future endeavours.

The Pepper Tree team has been busy hosting a number of Wine Club events for members and guests. The recent Annual Harvest Luncheon was once again held at Pepper Tree and Roberts Restaurant marking the end of the Harvest period. Thank you to all those who attended and saw the release of the 2013 ‘Alluvius’ Semillon and 2011 ‘Coquun’ Shiraz (see page 5) along with the 6th series of the Harvest Lunch plate. There will be a number of new and exciting events that will soon be introduced to the events calendar, keep an eye out in our newsletters and online for event details. As the events do book out fast, please let us know if you are interested in attending any events to avoid disappointment.

We hope to see you, your friends and family in the Cellar Door over the winter season to sample our warming winter reds by the fireplace or make a booking in our Members Tasting Lounge to taste a premium wine selection along with a cheese plate to enjoy.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers, The Pepper Tree Team

Staff Profile; Stephanie King

favourite wine is the 14 Shores Merlot.

My best wine connoisseur’s description for it is ‘yummy’.

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

I would fill the whole newsletter with my funniest or most memorable moments whilst working at Pepper Tree, there are so many. Unfortunately I can’t say most of them without incriminating myself or my ‘Partner in Crime’ - it ranges from getting lost in broom cupboards to hiding in bushes, a portrait that kept re-surfacing no matter how many times we threw it out and picking up stranded country music singers.

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

usually the one that says the strangest comment/question!

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

Pepper Tree Wines in the admin/accounts department for 13 years this year. Time flies when you’re having fun…

What do you like most about working at Pepper Tree Wines? Without a doubt, it

is the people I work with. Everybody is happy and there is always laughter. It’s a great place to work!

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

the grounds and the staff combined are Pepper Tree’s greatest strength.

What is your favourite Pepper Tree wine currently available? At the moment my

What is the most memorable wine you have had? It would have to be the 18ltr

bottle of Veuve Clicquot, which led to getting lost in the broom cupboard.

What

is

your

greatest

weakness?

Lemon Tart! And since Contango has just added lemon tarts to the menu, this could be a big problem.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Most of my spare time is taken up at home on our farm where we breed Arabian horses and Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs.

We also spend weekends away competing at endurance rides and camping with friends.

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Contango - Espresso - Roasters

Award Winning III BEAN CLASSIC We are pleased to announce that the previously featured III Bean Classic blend has achieved an outstanding result in the recent Sydney Royal Fine Food Show picking up a Bronze Medal.

BRONZE - 2013 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show - Coffee Competition (Class 2B Cappuccino, The Classic International Style) The III Bean Classic blend final cup offers a medium body style with excellent crema.

The Ethiopian provides the depth and length on the palate, whilst the Guatemalan inspires a chocolate-malt and cinnamon spice flavour and the Brazilian integrates the flavours of the two single origins leaving you with a smooth velvet finish.

Contango freshly roasted coffee beans are available to purchase: 250g Retail $12.50

250g Special Offer $10.50

Freight $6.00 (not applicable when purchased in conjunction with wine)

Please mention "The Grind" when purchasing.

MEMBER REFER A MEMBER! Wine is enjoyed best amongst friends and family!

Spread the word about the Pepper Tree Wine Club - let your friends know about the great benefits and be rewarded!

Refer your friends to the Wine Club and when they join and purchase their first case (12 bottles) receive a complimentary twin pack of premium Single Vineyard wines valued at a minimum of $77.00 retail, as a thank you from us! Email

WINTER WINE SPECIALS

ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au to refer your friend!

Tasting notes and free freight included

FIRESIDE MIXED DOZEN Inclusive of 2 bottles of each of the below: 2012 Limited Release Wrattonbully Viognier 2012 Limited Release Wrattonbully Pinot Gris 2012 Varietal Chardonnay 2011 Limited Release Hunter Valley Shiraz 2011 Varietal Merlot 2011 Limited Release Orange Cabernet Sauvignon

$205 Wine Club Members Case Special

RRP $280, saving $75 + freight free

WINTER WARMER PREMIUM RED SELECTION Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2011 Limited Release Single Vineyard ‘Tallavera’ Hunter Valley Shiraz 2010 Reserve ‘14 Shores’ Wrattonbully Merlot 2009 Reserve ‘Elderslee Road’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Reserve ‘Calcare’ Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

$370 Wine Club Members Case Special

RRP $513, saving $143 + freight free

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

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As I now take over from Jim Chatto, I have so much of my career to thank him for. He has been somewhat of a mentor for me ever since I arrived into the Valley. I first met Jim Chatto during the 2003 Vintage where I worked at First Creek as a Cellar Hand for Jim. After First Creek Jim introduced me to Panorama Vineyard in Tasmania, here I became the Assistant Winemaker for a year and focused on small batch, premium wines. Jim was also responsible for my introduction to Tempus Two Wines, another multi-regional winery, where I became Chief Winemaker for six years. As I am sitting here at Pepper Tree in his old office writing this piece, I am grateful for what Jim has done for me in the industry and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

2013 Vintage Wrap Up So back to telling you all how great my first vintage was at Pepper Tree!

All three regions, Hunter Valley, Orange and Limestone Coast (SA) had great ripening conditions. It all started with the Hunter Valley. Warm ripening conditions early in the season led to an early start to picking, this being a complete contrast to the 2012 Vintage. Lucky for us this year, we had enough water in the dams to irrigate our vines. Both red and white fruit proved an incredible intensity of flavours, the heroes of the Hunter once again shining through with Semillon and Shiraz being the highlights.

The whites from Orange this year were the standout with lovely ripe, gooseberry and lychee characters in our Sauvignon Blanc. Chardonnay went straight into oak and showed great structure and linearity combined with stone fruits and citrus zest.

Wrattonbully had an exceptional year once again, at this stage probably outshining the Coonawarra. The structure, tannin and fruit flavour of all these wines, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet makes it hard to distinguish the top parcels!

Introducing Pepper Tree Wines new Chief Winemaker – Scott Comyns

In the Winery With the cold months here, there is only one way to stay warm in the winery and that is to work hard and fast! At the moment we are still putting all our 2013 reds from Wrattonbully to oak. Blending, stabilising, fining and filtering our 2013 whites that don’t see any oak.

Verdelhos were the first to go to bottle, followed by Semillons while Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc and blends are being blended at the moment. Bottling these wines now will help retain all their freshness and vibrancy.

Before I go into telling everyone how wonderful the 2013 Vintage was, I would firstly like to introduce myself. I grew up on a Red Angus Cattle Stud, just outside of Wagga Wagga. Having not grownup in a wine producing family, I was lucky enough to grow up with a family who loved wine! During my senior years at boarding school in Canberra, I naturally studied Agriculture and was lucky enough to be on an excursion to Charles Sturt University back in Wagga Wagga where I discovered the Wine Science Degree. It was then at Uni where I met my wife and lucky for me, I followed her back to her home town here in the Hunter Valley.

Our 2013 Hunter Valley reds have now been in oak for close to five months and it is now time to pull these out, let them settle in tank and return them to oak without any sediment. This helps retain freshness in our reds while sitting in oak for another year. We have just finished classifying our 2012 reds and we will start pulling these reds out of oak around August, starting off with the 2012 ‘The Gravels’ Shiraz!

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 • 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 Pepper Tree Wine Club on 1800 655 965 or email katedh@peppertreewines.com.au

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WINE REVIEW 2013 Single Vineyard ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon The name ‘Alluvius’ is derived from the well-drained, ‘alluvial’ soils found in vineyards planted close to river beds. These soils are renowned for growing Semillon as it leads to a unique expression of what is considered to be Australia’s greatest white wine style.

We are pleased to provide you with the release the 2013 Vintage ‘Alluvius’ Semillon.

This wine displays vibrant aromas of lemongrass and lime that 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.

A perfect match for all types of seafood – George Francisco, Executive Chef of Roberts Restaurant matched this wine at the recent Annual Harvest Luncheon to Seared Yellowfin Tuna, Green Zebra Striped Tomato Salsa, Local Feta Cheese, Cucumber Sorbet and Black Olive.

GOLD - (Class 3) 2013 Royal QLD Wine Show Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $35

Club Bottle $29.50 ‘Q4’ Member Price $28.00

2011 Single Vineyard ‘Coquun’ Hunter Valley Shiraz The inspiration for the name “Coquun” came from the Aboriginal Dreaming, when the Hunter River (Valley) was referred to as ‘the Coquun’ by its first inhabitants, the Wonnaurua (’people of the hills and plains’). It is believed that the Wonnaurua have occupied the Hunter for at least 30,000 years.

This wine displays concentrated aromas of mulberry and blackberry, complexed by spice notes and well integrated savoury oak. A fruit driven Shiraz displaying sweet berry fruits balanced by fine tannins and subtle oak complexity providing a classically elegant finish.

A perfect winter red to enjoy with a hearty meal around the warm glow and flicker of the fireplace. George Francisco, Executive Chef of Roberts Restaurant selected to matched this wine at the recent Annual Harvest Luncheon to Mandagery Creek Venison, Butter Roasted Sweet Potato, Glazed Savoy Cabbage, Garden Foraged Pumpkin Agnolotti and Jus.

Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $60

Club Bottle $51.00 ‘Q4’ Member Price $48.00

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Click on wines to purchase

FUNCTIONS REVIEW

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

April Brisbane Members’ Dinner

AUGUST Canberra Members' Dinner

Moda Restaurant, Edward Street, Brisbane QLD Friday 26th April 2013

Friday 9th August Water’s Edge, Parkes ACT $120 per person

Kate, Leonne & Mike had a great time visiting our Brisbane members for the extremely popular wine dinner at Moda Restaurant. This fabulous venue once again created an exquisite menu that perfectly matched to a selection of latest release premium wines. We were again privileged to have Chef de Cuisine Javier Codina, explain in detail each component of the menu and the food and wine match that was created. It is a delighted showcase our wines to our valued members in Brisbane working alongside a dedicated and passionate team to create a memorable food and wine experience. We look forward to returning to Moda Restaurant again in 2014.

Pepper Tree Pooch Picnic Sunday 11th August 10.30am to 3.30pm Pepper Tree Grounds Q4 Winemakers Table Luncheon Saturday 31st August Pepper Tree Winery $115 per person SEPTEMBER Central Coast Members' Dinner Friday 6th September Cowrie Restaurant, Terrigal $115 per person Q4 Winemakers Table Luncheon Saturday 21st September Pepper Tree Winery

Annual Harvest Luncheon

$115 per person

Pepper Tree Wines / Roberts Restaurant, Hunter Valley NSW Saturday 11th & Saturday 18th May 2013

OCTOBER

The Annual Harvest Luncheon is a favourite of many valued Wine Club members and guests, also amongst the Pepper Tree Team! Each year we receive an overwhelming response to attend the event to celebrate the end of the Harvest season. This year we saw the release of the 2013 ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon and the 2011 ‘Coquun’ Hunter Valley Shiraz.

Executive Chef of Roberts Restaurant George Francisco, created a unique menu to match our exclusive releases. Local artist Danielle McManus also created another beautiful piece of art that features on our sixth series of the Harvest Luncheon collector plate. Thank you again to all Members and guests who attended!

Budburst Members Luncheon Saturday 12th October The Chapel, Pepper Tree Complex $90 per person Melbourne Members' Dinner Venue & Date TBC NOVEMBER Sydney Harbour Evening Cruise Friday 8th November 7pm – 10pm $100 per person Sydney Harbour Afternoon Cruise Saturday 9th November 2pm – 5pm $100 per person Queensland Showcase Members' Dinner Venue & Date TB DECEMBER Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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

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PET OF THE MONTH We are delighted to introduce – Max & Paddy!

BREED: ‘Cockerlier’- Cavalier cross Cocker Spaniel AGE: 6 years old FAVOURITE FOOD: Frozen chicken necks PET HATE: Live chickens, cats & birds FAVOURITE TOY: Teddy Max & Paddy are brothers from the same litter, their owners had initially just bought Max as Paddy had found another home the week before however hadn’t settled in to his new home with the existing dog and needed rehoming. After deciding to contact the owner who sold Paddy, the two siblings were soon reunited and quickly snuggled up together.

The rest is history....

Max & Paddy often holiday away with their owners every year to a dog friendly holiday home within a few hours’ drive from Sydney where they live. They are extremely well loved dogs that go for early morning and afternoon walks rain or shine to the local dog park.

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

Special Offer for Wine Club Members – The Woods At Pokolbin

The Woods At Pokolbin are delighted to provide a 10% discount for Pepper Tree Wine Club Members for a weekend stay in the Hunter next door to the Pepper Tree Cellar Door!

Board in the Cellar Door!

Midweek rate is $180 per room per night Special offer - $160 per room per night (Minimum of two rooms or two nights) www.thewoods.com.au 02 4998 7368 enquiries@thewoods.com.au Halls Rd Pokolbin NSW 2320

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Q4 Club Prices will be adjusted accordingly VARIETAL

REGION

VINTAGE

RRP

CLUB BTL

BTL QTY

CLUB CASE

CASE QTY

TOTAL

WINTER SPECIALS Fireside Mixed Dozen

280.00

Winter Warmer Red Selection

513.00

205.00 370.00

GRAND RESERVE RANGE 'Strandlines' Cabernet Shiraz

6 PACK Wrattonbully

2009

55.00

46.50

279.00

Hunter Valley

2013

35.00

29.50

354.00

Orange

2011

35.00

29.50

354.00

RESERVE RANGE

12 PACK

'Alluvius' Semillon 'Venus Block' Chardonnay '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

'Tallavera' Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2011

45.00

38.00

282.00 456.00

LIMITED RELEASE RANGE 'Silenus' Sparkling Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

12 PACK Orange

2009

38.00

32.50

390.00

Hunter Valley

2012

22.00

19.00

228.00

Orange

2013

22.00

19.00

228.00

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

Tempranillo (RELEASED MID JULY)

Wrattonbully

2012

22.00

19.00

228.00

'Classics' Cabernet Merlot

Wrattonbully

2010

25.00

21.00

252.00

Orange

2011

25.00

21.00

252.00

Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2011

35.00

29.50

354.00

'Members Reserve' Cabernet Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2010

25.00

20.00

240.00

VARIETAL RANGE

12 PACK

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal

2012

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

2011

18.00

15.00

180.00

Shiraz

Varietal

2012

18.00

15.00

180.00

DESSERT & FORTIFIED Late Harvest 'Sticky Pig' (RELEASED LATE JULY)

12 PACK Wrattonbully

Tipsy Muscat

2013

25.00

21.00

360.00

NV

55.00

46.50

558.00

DESSERT & FORTIFIED

12 PACK

Mixed Dozen

270.00

White Dozen

258.00

Red Dozen

280.00 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