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

ISSUE 19 WINTER 2014

2O14 Annual

Harvest Luncheon Roberts Restaurant Circa 1876

WINTER

FIRESIDE

Pepper Tree

SPECIALS

Spring Food & Wine Celebration

Wine Reviews Member Events

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WELCOME With the cooler days of winter upon us here in the Hunter, the winery team are busy turning a great Harvest into some fabulous wine for us to soon enjoy!

Our Annual Harvest Luncheon provided us with a sneak peek of the 2014 Vintage as this event marked the released of our 2014 'Alluvius' Hunter Valley Semillon.

Winemaker, Scott Comyns has stated that this is one of the best vintages we have seen for sometime, especially here in the Hunter. Take a look on page 4 for Scott’s update!

Prior to hosting our Annual Harvest Luncheons and our recent Canberra Members' Dinner, the team have been busy travelling from Sydney to Brisbane wining and dining our Wine Club members and guests. Take a look on page 7 for our function reviews. With many more events on the horizon for the second half of the year, we look forward to visiting those in Melbourne and going back to Brisbane and Sydney again! Please contact us to register your interest in attending any of our events as they do sell out fast.

We've also had the pleasure of hosting some unique experiences for our ‘Q4’ Members such as the ‘Q4’ Benchmark Tasting event. Chairman, John Davis and Chief Winemaker, Scott Comyns, benchmarked premium Pepper Tree Wines alongside some of the world’s best wine producers including those from the Northern Rhone Valley. Final preparations are in place for the very popular ‘Q4’ Winemakers Table Luncheon in August to provide our members with another memorable event. If you are interested in an information package about our ‘Q4’ Club please contact the Wine Club.

We hope to see you and your friends over the cooler months of winter in our Cellar Door to sample some of our latest releases alongside the warmth of the fire.

Please contact the Wine Club to make a booking in the Members Tasting Lounge to enjoy sampling wines alongside a palate cleansing cheese plate.

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

Jonathan Behrendt

aka “Jonno” Winery Cellar Hand

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

I have been working at Pepper Tree for about 18 months now.

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

The people I work with and all the different types of wine we make.

What is your favourite Pepper Tree wine currently available?

The Pebbles Shiraz Viognier because of its aromatic spice and florals, it has a nice structure and fine acidity.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers The Pepper Tree Team

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

Pepper Tree Social Corner

Pouring buckets of water on the Cellar Door staff who have helped out over Vintage like Mikey and Stuart.

What wine do you think our members should keep an eye out for from the latest Harvest?

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

Wine Club Members' Din ner, Sydney

Definitely the 2014 Reserve 'Alluvius' Semillon and 2014 'Tallawanta' Semillon!

What are the pro’s and con’s about working with Winemaker Scott?

All the tips in how to style your hair!

All in all he goes for the Sydney Swans so he can’t be too bad of a guy right…?

Manly Food & Wine Festival

Winery crew taking a break during the 2014 Harvest

Sydney Cellar Door in Hyde Park

What is the most memorable wine you have had?

2008 Claymore Dark Side of the Moon Shiraz. I’m a sucker for Shiraz from South Australia!

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

Muse Restaurant What do you do in your spare time?

Enjoy a coffee at 'Contango'

Hunter Valley Semillon, Vintage 2014

Ready to welcome guests to the Annual Harvest Luncheon

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I spend every minute at the beach with the dog Bently and play AFL for Wyong Lakes AFL Club.

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

Winter Fireside Specials

Each Winter Mixed Dozen special will include a complimentary Pepper Tree beanie or scarf to keep you warm over the cooler months!

(Until stocks last)

Winter Fireside Mixed Dozen Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2012 Limited Release Wrattonbully Viognier 2013 Reserve ‘Venus Block’ Orange Chardonnay 2012 Limited Release Hunter Valley Shiraz 2010 Reserve ‘Elderslee Road’ Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Club Members Case Special $299 RRP $402, saving $103 + freight free Tasting notes and free freight included

Winter Fireside Red Dozen Inclusive of 3 bottles of each of the below: 2012 Limited Release ‘The Pebbles’ Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 2012 Limited Release ‘Classics’ Wrattonbully Cabernet Merlot 2010 Reserve '14 Shores’ Wrattonbully Merlot 2010 Reserve ‘Elderslee Road’ Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon

Wine Club Members Case Special $299 RRP $402, saving $103 + freight free Tasting notes and free freight included

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News from the Winemaker

Scott Comyns

In the Winery It has been quite possibly the longest vintage in Australia due to such an early start for Harvest in the Hunter and a late start in SA with Coonawarra.

With it all over now, I can safely say it was a very successful five months!

It was yet another good year down south. Both our vineyards in Wrattonbully and Coonawarra had poor fruit set after flowering at the end of last year. This meant that our yield was low, but quality was high! All varieties are looking great, in particular Shiraz, which looks rich and powerful with an underlying elegance to it. I’m looking forward to seeing how this develops in oak.

Some of our 2014 whites have been put into bottle already, including the 2014 Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon recently released at the Annual Harvest Luncheon.

Due to a fantastic ripening period for Semillon in the Hunter, this has allowed the wine to display its full potential. Classic lemon lime acidity with graceful intensity is displayed. Certainly one of our best Semillons produced to date and one to keep a look out for.

We are now concentrating on pulling out and blending our 2013 Hunter reds, which are soon going to be bottled. An exciting time in the winery, as we get to see all our hard work from the previous vintage all pay off as we pick and choose our barrel blending options. As soon as a barrel is emptied, it will again be filled, this time with 2014 reds which are patiently waiting in tank.

Through these cold winter months, it is important to keep the crew warm and there is no better way than keeping busy. As well as last year’s reds that need to be prepared, Pepper Tree will also be releasing our first barrel fermented Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend. A classic Bordeaux style of white wine, the components of this wine will have seen about 6 months in large format oak, just to add another complex feature to this style.

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: 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 Limited spots available to these exclusive events - book now

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 2014 RESERVE SINGLE VINEYARD ‘ALLUVIUS’ HUNTER VALLEY SEMILLON

2010 RESERVE SINGLE VINEYARD ‘ELDERSLEE ROAD’ WRATTONBULLY CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Release Date: May 2014 Our Elderslee Road Vineyard is home to our best Cabernet. Elderslee Road runs along one of the ancient dunes or shorelines that make up the Wrattonbully landscape. These ancient dunes harbour the famed red “Terra Rossa” topsoil over free draining Gambier Limestone, perfectly suited to growing great Cabernet.

We are delighted to announce the release of the 2014 Vintage of signature Semillon the ‘Alluvius’. This iconic Hunter style Semillon comes from the Braemore Vineyard on Hermitage Road in the lower Hunter Valley. This famous vineyard, under the care of Ken Bray, was planted in the late 60's and consistently produces benchmark Hunter Semillon. The well drained, 'alluvial' soils lead to a unique expression of what is considered to be Australia's greatest white wine style.

Cellar Door Bottle $35.00

Club Bottle $29.50 ‘Q4’ Member $28.00

This wine displays a bright purple and crimson colour, reflective of a great vintage and its cellaring potential. The bouquet boasts young earthy robust Cabernet characteristics with hints of spice and mint.

After a spectacular and early vintage in the Hunter, the winery team worked hard to get this wine ready for bottle in time to celebrate the 2014 Harvest at the Annual Harvest Luncheon. Bottling this wine early is important to retain freshness and vitality of the primary fruit flavours.

The palate is dominate with ripe mulberries and raspberries mixed with blackberries and hints of cassis, coffee bean and spicy oak. These sweet berry fruits are well balanced by the French oak influences. The soft supple and fleshy tannins provide structure and length to this full bodied wine.

A perfect accompaniment to seafood this wine displays vibrant aromas of lemongrass and lime.

The palate is crisp & intense yet elegant, displaying mineral texture and delivering wonderful line and length. This is truly a classic wine of great drive, coupled with extraordinary finesse and definition.

With potential to age for 10 years or more, enjoy alongside a variety of cheeses, rich game or red meat dishes.

Click here for detailed tasting notes

We suggest enjoying this wine now or confidently cellar for the next 10 - 20 years.

Cellar Door Bottle $42.00

Club Bottle $35.50 ‘Q4’ Member $33.60

Click here for detailed tasting notes 5

2014 EVENTS CALENDAR 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.

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

Flavours of Four Regions

Pepper Tree

Spring Food & Wine Celebration

Sydney Members' Dinner Friday 25th July Baroque Bistro, The Rocks, Sydney NSW AUGUST 'Q4' Winemakers Table Luncheon Saturday 2nd August Saturday 9th August Pepper Tree Winery, Pokolbin NSW Pooch Picnic Sunday 31st August Pepper Tree Winery, Pokolbin NSW SEPTEMBER Melbourne Members' Dinner Friday 5th September Matteo’s Restaurant, Fitzroy VIC

Saturday 18th October 11am – 3:30pm Relax on the beautiful grounds of Pepper Tree and celebrate the season of spring!

OCTOBER PTW Spring Food & Wine Celebration Saturday 18th October Pepper Tree Winery, Pokolbin NSW

Bring along your picnic rug to kick back on, or have a dance to the groovy tunes of “The Big Bang” while you sample some Pepper Tree Wines from the four regions where our grapes are sourced.

NOVEMBER Sydney Harbour Evening Cruise Friday 7th November, 7–10pm

Enjoy a casual lunch to match, prepared by Chef Andrew Wright of The Cellar Restaurant.

Sydney Harbour Afternoon Cruise Saturday 8th November, 2–5pm

Attend a masterclass hosted by our Chief Winemaker Scott Comyns!

DECEMBER ‘Q4’ Afternoon Christmas Cruise Sunday 7th December, 2–5pm

Bookings Essential

2015

Inclusive of: • Tasting glass • Food and wine tokens • Contango coffee voucher • 30 minute masterclass with the winemaker (optional)

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.

$55.00 per person

PEPPER TREE WINES

MELBOURNE

MEMBERS’ DINNER Congratulations to Bernarda Robinson, Winner of our Special Contact List draw!

Receiving a 6 pack of wine!

WHERE TO FIND OUR WINES QLD NSW& ACT VIC

Manx Restaurant & Bar Hamilton Bar Petite Newcastle Mercato @ Daylesford Daylesford

We are pleased to invite you and your guests to a food and wine experience at Matteo’s situated on Melbourne's famous 'Brunswick Street'! Enjoy canapés and sparkling wine on arrival followed by an exclusive 4 course meal with premium Pepper Tree Wines to match.

This elegant Victorian terrace will set the relaxed atmosphere for a casual evening of fine food and wine and great company!

Friday 5th September 2014 7pm Matteo’s Restaurant 533 Brunswick Street, North Fitzroy VIC $120pp To book phone the Wine Club on 1800 655 965 or email ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au

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FUNCTIONS REVIEW

‘Q4’ Benchmark Tasting Pepper Tree Wines Friday 28th March, 2014 Owner and Chairman John Davis and Chief Winemaker Scott Comyns, were delighted to invite ‘Q4’ Members to an exclusive tasting experience, showcasing some of Pepper Tree Single Vineyard wines alongside some of the world’s best red producers. Producers from the Northern Rhone Valley along with top Australian wine produces were featured. George Francisco of Roberts Restaurant provided a perfect match to each bracket of wine. A great educational evening that was thoroughly enjoyed by ‘Q4’ Members.

Sydney Members’ Dinner Baroque Bistro, The Rocks Friday 7th March, 2014 We were delighted to host our first Wine Club members event for 2014 at the extremely popular Baroque Bistro in the picturesque Rocks precinct in Sydney. Guests were provided with a fabulous food and wine experience with a selection of premium Pepper Tree Wines, expertly matched to a specialised menu created by Chef Drew Bolton.

Annual Harvest Luncheon Pepper Tree Wines / Robert Restaurant Saturday 10th & Saturday 17th May, 2014 The Annual Harvest Luncheon is an increasingly popular event amongst our Wine Club Members, signifying the end of Harvest for yet another year. Both events were lucky enough to host perfect temperatures and clear skies while guests sipped on our 2011 Limited Release Sparkling Silenus and enjoyed freshly shucked oysters on the lawns at Pepper Tree. George Francisco and the team at Roberts Restaurant then provided a fabulous degustation menu perfectly matched to some exclusive releases. This event marked the release of our 2014 Reserve ‘Alluvius’ Hunter Valley Semillon and other great varieties such as the Grand Reserve ‘8R’ Wrattonbully Merlot. Local Artist Danielle McManus also released the next edition to the Harvest Lunch Collector plate series with “Enjoying the Spoils of the Harvest”.

Thank you again to all those who attended both of these events.

Brisbane April Members’ Dinner Moda Restaurant, Brisbane Friday 11th April, 2014 Chief Winemaker Scott and the Pepper Tree team were keen to greet our Wine Club members and guests again at the very popular Moda Restaurant. Chef Javier Codina and Restaurant Manger François, created an amazing evening once again with an inspiring menu matched to selected Pepper Tree Wines. Guests were intrigued with the menu after Javier explained the intricacies of each dish and his passion for fresh food and great wine.

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PE PPER T R EE PE T C L UB We are delighted to introduce you to one of our valued Pet Club members – Bailey.

5 minutes with Bailey Age: 11 months Breed: West Highland White Terrier Cross Favourite Food: Food, any food, just as long as it’s plentiful. Although it's true that dogs go whacko for Schmackos!

Favourite Toy: His rope chew toy, although he's quite partial to sticks and has been known to carry one home on walks!

Pet Hate: When the cockatoos come over for a feed.

A day in the life of Bailey: Bailey loves to play hard and sleep hard. He loves his sleep and it's sometimes hard to get him out of bed for his morning walk. But when he's awake he's like a like a mini tornado! If he's not patrolling the borders of our house and garden, he's digging holes, trying to tear apart his rope toy or doing his latest thing of attacking his tail (picture a dog contorted with his behind in the air, his head at a 90 degree on the ground with him pulling on his tail and growling).

Other info about Bailey: Bailey’s owners got him from Newcastle Pound Pooch Rescue now Nova Pooch Rescue, a fabulous no-kill dog rescue organisation that has some great dogs looking for good homes.

Bailey

Pet Rescue / Newcastle Pound Pooch Rescue

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

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

treats upon their visit to the winery

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 our 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

WINTER SPECIALS Winter Fireside Mixed Dozen

402.00

Winter Fireside Red Dozen

402.00

299.00 299.00

GRAND RESERVE RANGE

6 PACK

Single Vineyard '8R' Merlot

Wrattonbully

2012

60.00

51.00

306.00

'Tallawanta' Shiraz

Hunter Valley

'Strandlines' Cabernet Shiraz

Wrattonbully

2011

90.00

76.50

459.00

2010

55.00

46.50

279.00

Hunter Valley

2014

35.00

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

RESERVE RANGE

12 PACK

'Alluvius' Semillon 'Venus Block' Chardonnay

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

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

'Classics' Cabernet Merlot

Wrattonbully

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

'The Pebbles' Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

Orange

2012

25.00

21.00

252.00

Hunter Valley

2012

35.00

29.50

Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz VARIETAL RANGE

354.00 12 PACK

Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal

2013

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

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

Wrattonbully

Vin de Vie – limited stock

2013

25.00

21.00

252.00

NV

35.00

30.00

360.00

MIXED DOZENS

12 PACK

Mixed Dozen

267.50

White Dozen

249.00

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 $

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