'Just Crushed' Winter 2016 - Issue 3

News from Pepper Tree

Issue No.

3

WINTER

SPECIALS

Harvest Luncheon REVIEW facebook/PepperTreeWines

www.peppertreewines.com.au

Winery Update instagram/peppertreewines

Welcome It has been a crazy couple of months here at Pepper Tree with Easter witnessing the conclusion of one of the biggest and busiest vintages at Pepper Tree.

2016 vintage not only saw the largest tonnage of grapes ever to be crushed and pressed in the Pepper Tree winery, but it was also the first vintage to have all four regions of fruit – Hunter Valley, Wrattonbully, Orange and Coonawarra in the winery at the same time. This was a massive achievement and a credit to our hardworking vintage crew. See page three for a full winery update from Head Winemaker, Gwyn Olsen.

Our 25th birthday celebrations are in full swing with a special birthday gift offered to all members who book in to the Members Tasting Lounge on any given Sunday. Please phone the Wine Club on 1800 655 965 to enquire, bookings are essential and conditions do apply. We are also hosting a special

‘25 Year Celebration Event’ at the QVB Tea Rooms in Sydney this September, see page six for more event details.

Our ever popular, Annual Harvest Luncheons saw the exclusive release of new 2016 white wines, as well as a sneak peek at some of the 2014 red wines. Some fantastic wines are coming off the bottling line so be sure to check out the wine review on page five of the 2016 ‘Alluvius’ Semillon and 2012 ’14 Shores’ Merlot.

We look forward to welcoming members and guests to the Cellar Door over the coming months. Don’t forget to warm up with a coffee at Contango Espresso Roasters and try out their new delicious menu.

Cheers,

The Pepper Tree Team

Some of our favourite snaps featuring #PepperTreeWines!

Don’t forget to tag us or #PepperTreeWines when enjoying your next glass or bottle!

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Winter 2016

PepperTreeWines peppertreewines

NEWS FROM THE

WINEMAKER GW Y N OL SEN - 2015 LEN EVA NS SCHOLA R

Winter in the Winery Winter has been an extremely busy time for the winery team, with all of our aromatic white wines being prepared and loaded out for bottling in May. The white wines are looking good.

The Hunter Valley Semillons are linear and tight, with delicate floral noses of lemongrass and lemon blossom. All of the Wrattonbully Pinot Gris have also been bottled, with the Limited Release being a particular favourite for its texture and fruit richness. Not to mention the excitement about getting the 2016 Sticky Pig into bottle and available for sale!

The colder winter months will now see the winery team take care of a lot of our red wine work.

All of the 2016 reds will be racked off malo lees and then put to barrel to mature for the next 18 months. We have blended the first of the 2014 varietal ranges with Cabernet, Shiraz and Merlot heading down the line as you read. We have also been excitedly blending up two distinct wines to help celebrate Pepper Tree’s 25th Birthday which you will hear more about very shortly!

It is nice to see some cold weather come through - the vines will hopefully now realise that it is winter and that they should be dormant so that we can start pruning! I hope you all enjoy a warming wine or three over the winter months.

Cheers, Gwyneth Olsen

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

Join this exclusive membership and receive first priority access to all Single Vineyard and Limited Release 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 two 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 Limited Release and Single Vineyard 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’ Cruise.

• Detailed tasting notes included in every wine delivery.

• James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion upon release each year signed by our Head Winemaker Gwyneth Olsen.

• 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!

Limited spaces are available for this exclusive Club!

For an information package and membership form, please call the Pepper Tree Wine Club on 1800 655 965 or email ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au.

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FUNCTION REVIEW 2016 Harvest Luncheon With a lengthy list of sparkling, white, red and dessert wines perfectly matched to a delectable menu, our annual Harvest Luncheons were a wonderful celebration of fine wine, food, music and art.

Head Winemaker, Gwyn Olsen exclusively released the 2016 ‘Alluvius’ Semillon, Verdelho, Pinot Gris and Sticky Pig, alongside the 2013 ‘Block 21A’ Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 ‘8R’ Merlot, 2014 ‘Tallavera’ and ‘Coquun’ Shiraz’s.

We unveiled the 9th edition to the Harvest plate series by local artist Danielle McManus and also enjoyed the sweet tunes of talented musician Nick Saxon.

Stay posted for an event invite in the coming months for the 2017 Harvest Luncheons – they will be an event not to be missed.

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Winter 2016

2016 ‘Alluvius’ Single Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon The name ‘Alluvius’ derives 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.

Tasting Notes 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.

Vintage Notes The 2016 Hunter Valley will be remembered for relentless rain from mid-December till mid-January coupled with sporadic hail storms. Our vineyards miraculously dodged all the hail and managed to survive the wet conditions with no berry splitting or bunch rot. In this regard they rewrote the textbooks.

White wines have been made with good flavour and balance.

Semillon in particular is of above average quality. A far better result than we expected in early January.

CLICK HERE for Detailed Tasting Notes

Club Member Price $29.50 ‘Q4’ Member Price $28.00 RRP $35.00

2012 ’14 Shores’ Single Vineyard Wrattonbully Merlot There are fourteen ancient shorelines that mark the retreating ocean from what is now the Naracoorte Range on the Limestone Coast. These shorelines, now hills, harbour the famed red ‘Terra Rossa’ topsoil over free draining Gambier Limestone. These tough well-drained soils provide tiny crops of intensely flavoured Merlot.

Tasting Notes Concentrated flavours of black and red berry fruits, highlighted with subtle French oak. A classically medium bodied Merlot, fruit driven with fine tannins and great texture providing a seamless finish.

Vintage Notes 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.

Fruit quality across all varieties is exceptional especially Cabernet Sauvignon. Whites are looking strong but the reds are the standout this vintage.

Awards • Trophy & Gold (Class 15) - Limestone Coast Wine Show 2014 (Other Single Red Varietals).

• Silver (Class 38) – Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2014.

CLICK HERE for Detailed Tasting Notes

Club Member Price $35.50 ‘Q4’ Member Price $33.60 RRP $42.00

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2016 EVENTS CALENDAR JULY

OCTOBER

BRISBANE MEMBERS’ DINNER Friday 15th July, 2016 Aquitaine Brasserie, Brisbane QLD

SPRING FOOD & WINE CELEBRATION

AUGUST

NOVEMBER

Saturday 15th October, 2016 Pepper Tree Wines, Pokolbin NSW

Q4 WINEMAKERS TABLE LUNCHEON Saturday 6th August, 2016 Pepper Tree Wines, Pokolbin NSW (*At capacity - currently taking waitlist)

SYDNEY HARBOUR EVENING CRUISE Friday 11th November, 2016 Sydney Harbour NSW SYDNEY HARBOUR AFTERNOON CRUISE Saturday 12th November, 2016 Sydney Harbour NSW (*At capacity - currently taking waitlist)

POOCH PICNIC Sunday 28th August, 2016 Pepper Tree Wines, Pokolbin NSW

‘Q4’ CRUISE Sunday 13th November, 2016 Sydney Harbour NSW

SEPTEMBER MELBOURNE MEMBERS’ DINNER

TO BOOK A WINE CLUB EVENT

THE SYDNEY MEMBERS’ 25 YEAR CELEBRATION DINNER Friday 2nd September, 2016 QVB Tea Room, Sydney NSW

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

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Issue No. 3

Due to the extremely high and growing demand, some events may have set ticket limitations per membership. Event details subject to change.

Winter 2016

To place your order simply complete the attached Order Form or follow the links to our Online Shop

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Winter Mixed Dozen $245.00

*Tasting Notes included

Winter Specials 5

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SAVE

$104.00 + free freight

(RRP $349.00)

Winter Warmer 6 Pack

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SAVE

$96.00 + free freight

*Tasting Notes included

(RRP $320.00)

*Includes 2 bottles of each wine below

2013 ‘Silenus’ Limited Release Orange Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay

2016 Varietal Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 3 2016 Limited Release Wrattonbully Pinot Gris 4 2016 Limited Release Hunter Valley Verdelho 5 2015 Limited Release Orange Chardonnay 6 2016 ‘Alluvius’ Single Vineyard Hunter Valley Semillon 7 2015 Limited Release Wrattonbully Tempranillo 8 2012 Limited Release Wrattonbully Merlot 9 2014 ‘The Pebbles’ Limited Release Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 10 2014 Limited Release Hunter Valley Shiraz 11 2012 ‘Elderslee Road’ Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 12 2016 Late Harvest ‘Sticky Pig’ Pinot Gris 2

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$224.00

*Includes 1 bottle of each wine below 1

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• 2012 ‘14 Shores’ Single Vineyard Wrattonbully Merlot • 2013 ‘Coquun’ Single Vineyard Hunter Valley Shiraz • 2012 ‘Calcare’ Single Vineyard Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

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Special Pepper Tree branded boxes and Anniversary boxes available now!

Issue No. 3

Winter 2016

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5 Mischa

MINUTES WITH...

We are delighted to introduce you to one of our valued Pet Club members – Mischa.

ONLY

39.95

$

Age: Four and a half – born on the 24th of August 2011.

Breed: Labrador.

Favourite Toys: Balls, remote controls and shoes.

Mischa (having a rest)

Other info about Mischa: Mischa is a gorgeous Labrador. On the weekends, she ventures to the Hunter Valley, where she normally stays with her Aunty and dog cousin, while her owners travel around and taste wine.

Being a family owned business, we understand the importance of including the entire family into the Wine Club, hence why we have extended our membership to include your canine friend.

SUNDAY 28TH AUGUST 2016 10.30am to 2.30pm Entry Gold coin to be donated to Dog Rescue Newcastle Call 02 4909 7100 or visit www.peppertreewines.com.au for more information

One off joining fee of $39.95 Receive a Pepper Tree Pet Lead (Members Price $18.00) Treat for your furry friend in your Wine Club commitment cases Membership Certificate Complimentary bowl of water and treat upon their visit to the winery 1 bottle of Pepper Tree Varietal Range wine upon joining

86 Halls Road, Pokolbin NSW 2320 AUSTRALIA P 02 4909 7100

F 02 4998 7746

Freecall 1800 655 965

E ptwclub@peppertreewines.com.au

www.peppertreewines.com.au

Printed on 100% Post Consumer Waste Recycled, Carbon Neutral Paper. FSC Certified.