Seasoned News From Pepper Tree - The Grind, Autumn 2011

ISSUE 6 • AUTUMN 2011

News from theWinery;

2011 VINTAGE

'Let's Make a Toast to Red Wine!'

Pepper Tree Pet Club

WINE REVIEWS, EXCLUSIVE OFFERS & UPCOMING FUNCTIONS

Welcome functions calendar. The Annual Gala Dinner marked the first of our functions in 2011 with this year’s theme “A Night at the Oscars” – check out the photos on page 8!

With Vintage well underway and the dreaded summer weather almost past, the crew at Pepper Tree is knee deep in grape juice! 2011 is shaping up to be another successful year for Pepper Tree! Jim, Luke and Dean are busy working their magic in the Winery while guiding some new recruits through their paces, in a big welcome to Joe, Todd, Chanel and Pepper Tree’s practical joker Mark Coster. We are all looking forward to some exciting new releases in 2011 - take a look on page 4 & 5 to see what new releases are available!

If you aren’t currently following us on Facebook or Twitter, please feel free to join one of our sites (or both!) as we will keep you up to date with vintage updates, wine releases/reviews, events and festivals.

By introducing a Pepper Tree Wines Twitter account we aim to interact with members and consumers around the globe. The Twitter account will highlight updates to content on our website and Facebook pages. The Twitter account will be used to notify all followers of any events/news & reviews that align with recent activity that the brand has been involved in. Consumers, key influencers and members are encouraged to interact with us using this account and to use the #ptwines hash tag when communicating about Pepper Tree Wines.

Once again we have another full calendar of exciting events planned. We will be hosting 12 member functions throughout NSW, ACT and QLD that we hope to see new and familiar faces at. If you are interested in attending any of these functions, please let us know as they do sell out fast! Invitations to member events are also extended to any friends and family that enjoy a relaxed fun filled night with fabulous wine and food!

View page 8 or click here for the complete 2011

VISITING THE HUNTER VALLEY? Don’t forget to book into the Members Tasting Lounge where you and your friends can sit back, relax and enjoy sampling wines from our premium range as well as our latest releases along with a cheese plate! Book and visit during the months of March and April and you will receive a signed bottle of Reserve 2007 'Calcare”'Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, as a gift from us; no longer available to purchase! *Maximum of 1 bottle per group, prior bookings essential.

To book the Members Tasting Lounge phone 1800 655 965.

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IN THE WINERY WITH JIM CHATTO

2011 VINTAGE ~ So Far! Hunter The Hunter Vintage started later than usual (27th of January) but back to normal in historical terms. After a mild and wet spring and early summer things finally dried up.

The cooler than normal weather patterns have helped the fruit retain good natural acidity ensuring great balance and length of flavour. Good rainfall throughout last year has allowed the vines to return to normal cropping levels (after the miniscule crops of 2010). At time of writing, we have picked all of our 2011 Hunter Shiraz and it looks fantastic – especially from our 90 year old Tallawanta Vineyard.

This block came in at perfect ripeness and flavour with great colour and intensity - the quality of the 2011 Coquun is assured.

Other highlights from the Hunter include: some very classy Semillons, with lovely length and purity as well as some of the best Chardonnay we have picked in the Hunter for quite some time.

Overall a very good harvest from the mighty Hunter! Picking at our Orange vineyard is still quite some time off, I don't expect to start Harvest there till mid March - so you will have to wait for a vintage wrap up in the winter issue of The Grind. Fingers crossed for the balance of Harvest!

Sydney Wine Show After finishing the Hunter whites I headed down to Sydney to judge at the Sydney Wine Show. This was a great week with many wonderful wines to judge and some great international benchmark wines on taste at the Chairman’s (Iain Riggs) Dinner.

I was lucky enough to spend a day judging alongside this year’s International Judge Stephen Brook. Stephen is a very well respected author, wine judge and journalist from the UK. Stephen also has considerable experience judging in Australia - in fact I have judged with Stephen a few years ago at the National Show in Canberra. It is always a great experience judging with good international judges, as they offer a completely different perspective and approach to appreciating wine style and

'Let’s Make a Toast to Red Wine!'

quality. This was my last year at Sydney Show for a few years. After a wonderful nine years and many great vinous memories – I am going to miss my mid vintage soirée in the big city of lights, the morning ferry ride to the showground coffee and paper in hand, the great wines and interaction with the country’s leading wine experts – I miss it already.

Harvest Lunch The perfect way to celebrate the end of the Vintage - the Harvest Luncheon is on again in May. Always a great day and fun opportunity to taste the new vintage wines before they go on sale. This year we will be showcasing the 2010 Chardonnay’s alongside our 2009 Reds as well as a sneak preview of the 2011 whites. I have been told that the Harvest Lunch has become so popular that this year we will be holding two!

cholesterol (HDL), thinning our blood and prevent fatty plaque formation, therefore increasing cardiovascular health and decreasing the threat of heart attack and stroke!

• If a stroke does occur, the action of resveratrol can lessen the amount of damage to the brain!

• Can decrease inflammatory states- Inflammation now being seen as a contributing factor of weight gain as well as a failure to lose weight!

By Honor Tremain

OPC’s: • OPC’s are flavanoid type antioxidants, and are very readily absorbed by the body as they are water soluble!

• Clinical testing has shown that as an antioxidant OPC’s are 20 times more powerful than Vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than Vitamin E! • They strengthen your capillary, blood vessel, and arterial walls, which is why they are used in beauty therapies as well as for cardiovascular treatments!

• For this same reason OPC’s are also used for sore, tired, swollen and restless legs!

• Believe it or not, OPC’s even have the ability to cross the

Red wine contains a number of highly powerful phytochemicals which act as antioxidants; the most talked about are Resveratrol and Oligomeric proanthocyanidins or OPC’s.

Resveratrol and OPC’s are found in the grape skin and within the grape seed, and are in higher amounts in red wine as opposed to white wine where the skin’s and seeds are usually filtered out.

Resveratrol: • Is believed to slow the aging process of cells and tissues, so we age less!

• May alter our blood lipid profile by raising our good

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barrier between our blood and our brain and protect it as well as our spinal nerves, from aging and damage from free radicals!

The ‘Mediterranean diet’ is still heralded as one of the healthiest diets in the world, with a respected study finding that those eating this way had lower rates of mortality by more than 50% in the 70-90 age group, compared with the rest of the population! The diet consists of fresh vegetables, fruits, fresh bread, some meat, fish and cheese and regular and moderate amounts of good, well made wines!

All the health benefits mentioned here are based on the consumption of a maximum of 2 standard glasses of red wine for men and one for women per night.

So enjoy the beautiful, rich and antioxidant abundant wines from Pepper Tree, where they too specialise in quality!

Honor Tremain is a practising Nutritionist who has worked in the field for the last 15 years. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Health Science (ComplMed), a Diploma in Nutrition, Advanced Certificate in Iridology and a Certificate in Nutrition for Fertility.

WINE REVIEW

New Releases Exclusive to Club Members Limited Release 2010 Hunter Valley Chardonnay Rich varietal stone fruit characters on the nose complemented by a touch of new French oak. The palate is long, tight and savoury, and finishes with crisp acidity. In time the wine should develop a toasty nutty complexity with cellaring up to 5 years.

Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Previous Vintage Awards & Ratings – Limited Release 2009 Hunter Valley Chardonnay

93 Points – James Halliday

Gold - 2010 Hunter Valley Show Click on wines to purchase

Cellar Door Bottle $22

Club Bottle $19.00

Limited Release 2009 'The Pebbles' Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier A complex aromatic mix of spice and florals with dark berry fruits, integrated well with savoury oak.

An opulent and expressive cool climate Shiraz, medium bodied yet powerfully concentrated with dark berry fruits and a wonderful spice. Supple tannins and a fine acidity provide great structure and balance to the sweet mid palate fruit.

Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Previous Vintage Ratings – Limited Release 2008 'The Pebbles' Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier

95 Points – James Halliday

Cellar Door Bottle $25

Club Bottle $21.00

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WINE REVIEW Reserve 2008 'Calcare' Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 'Calcare' Cabernet Sauvignon is selected from the best rows of our small vineyard from the world famous Coonawarra region. The renowned quality of Coonawarra is a product of its thin rocky soil and underlying soft crumbly limestone (Calcare) which naturally produces balanced vine canopies and small crops of intensely flavoured fruit.

A fine example of Coonawarra style displaying ripe cassis fruits with lifted spice and florals. A fine structured Cabernet that will gain further complexity with cellaring.

96 Points - James Halliday

Top Gold, 2010 Macquarie Group Sydney Royal Wine Show Gold, 2010 Riverina Wine Show Top Silver, 2010 International Wine & Spirits Competition Silver, 2010 Royal QLD Wine Show Click Here for Detailed Tasting Notes

Cellar Door Bottle $35

Club Bottle $29.50

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

Wine Club Autumn Specials Five Star Reserve 6 Pack 93-96 Point James Halliday Rating 1 x Reserve 2010 'Alluvius' Hunter Valley Semillon 1 x Reserve 2008 'Venus Block' Orange Chardonnay 1 x Reserve 2009 'Coquun' Hunter Valley Shiraz 1 x Reserve 2008 'The Gravels' Wrattonbully Shiraz Viognier 1 x Reserve 2007 'Elderslee Road' Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon 1 x Reserve 2008 'Calcare' Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon

Strandlines Trio Pack When the conditions are considered to be at their optimum, we produce wines for the Grand Reserve Range. This range is the pinnacle of Pepper Tree Wines and can be simply explained as the 'best of the best'. Produced in limited quantities these wines are highly sought after.

$175.00 $46 SAVING Retail $221 Limited Stock Available

$135.00 $30 SAVING Retail $165

3 x Grand Reserve Wrattonbully Cabernet Sauvignon Vintage 2006, 2007, 2008

Sauvignon Blanc Case Special 12 x Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc 2010 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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$205.00 $59 SAVING Retail $264

Staff Profile;

Mark Coster

Pepper Tree Pet Club

Mark has been with Pepper Tree for almost 2 ½ years, Mark is a very diverse team member having had experience in many departments within Pepper Tree. Mark is currently getting his hands dirty and helping out the winery crew during vintage! Mark is a valued member of the Pepper Tree Team that keeps us all on our toes with his practical jokes and never backs out of a challenge!

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

The people! They are all approachable and are here to get the job done, the fact that we have fun while doing it is just a bonus. The wine is pretty good too.

What do you believe Pepper Tree’s greatest strength is?

Me!! No, seriously it would have to be the great team of people that work at Pepper Tree. The fact that Pepper Tree own vineyards in Wrattonbully, Coonawarra, Orange and Hunter Valley would definitely be a great strength in itself as the quality and diversity of fruit becomes the base of the great wines that Jim Chatto continually produces.

What is the strangest comment that someone has said to you?

You can really taste the Orange in that Sauvignon Blanc, and the Venus Block Chardonnay! How do you make wine from oranges?”

My reply after a moment of silence and a cheeky grin, “We don’t make wine from oranges; Orange is the region where the grapes have been grown to make these wines” What is your favourite Pepper Tree Wine currently available?

That’s a bit difficult. Depending on the weather, who I am drinking with and what side my hair is parted on that day. I was an ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) person, but do enjoy the Venus Block and the new Limited Release Wrattonbully Chardonnay “Bernard Clone”.

Semillon, Shiraz, Shiraz Viognier and nearly all the Cabernets are on my hit list.

What is your greatest achievement?

Some would say making it past my 21st birthday others would say the way I devour a schooner or two. Honestly, I think it’s my diverse nature to adapt to new situations in life and work. My greatest strength would be my background in hospitality working in fine dining restaurants throughout Australia and overseas, to now working within a highly active Cellar Door and completing my first Vintage at Pepper Tree working alongside Jim Chatto.

Become a Friend of Kimba!

Join the Pepper Tree Pet Club $39.95 Our resident winery ambassador and rising star (as seen in the Australian Wine Dog Book) - Kimba, plays a vital role here at Pepper Tree!

Keeping a watchful eye on the winery crew while they are hard at work, especially on his owner – Chief Winemaker Jim! Pepper Tree appreciates that there is nothing more satisfying than coming home to that smiling face, wagging tail and unconditional love and loyalty that our pets have! Being a family owned business, we understand the importance of including the entire family into the Wine Club, hence why we would like to extend our membership out to include your canine friend. We understand that our 4 legged companions at times like to think that they rule the household, so why not make them feel important and join them up to their very own Pepper Tree Pet Club so they too can enjoy life’s little luxuries!

Whether you have a laid-back Lab or a pampered Poodle, join the Pepper Tree Pet Club and your pet can become the next Pepper Tree Ambassador in the next Newsletter and feature on www.peppertreewines.com.au! Click here to send us a photo as well as a few words about their favourite things to do, pet hates, obsession, favourite food and a bit about their personality!

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Click to join Pepper Tree Pet Club or phone 1800 655 965 Pepper Tree Pet Club Benefits: • Wine Dogs Australia - Wine Dogs Australia is a photographic journal of stunning pictures and great stories – created all for the love of dogs and wine! RRP $35 (available to the first 20 members) • Pepper Tree Wines dog lead RRP $18.50 • Winemakers dog postcard – KIMBA • Membership Certificate • 1 bottle of wine for their owner RRP $18.00 • Treat for your furry friend in your Wine Club committed cases • Plus complementary bowl of water and treats upon their visit to the winery

RESTARANT REVIEW Fix St James Fix St James is a well-known Sydney CBD wine bistro, offering great food, wine & service in a small and modern space. The ever changing menu is largely featured on one wall, another wall dominated by some of the 200 bottle strong wine list!

Since January 2007, Fix St James has been feeding Sydney’s CBD great food. Showing respect to the ingredients and letting the great produce shine. This is food you need to get your teeth into! Honest gutsy flavours, combined with great technique, it will make you want to keep coming back for more. The blackboard menu is constantly changing, though some signatures will always remain. Can’t decide what to try? Then why not go with one of the ‘Feed Me’ menus. Put yourself in the hands of the experts and let them send you out food for the whole table to share!

111 Elizabeth Street, Sydney NSW 2000 P 02 9232 2767 E eat@fixstjames.com.au

WHERE TO FIND OUR WINES

QLD Coco Bella Espresso, New Farm Weis Restaurant, Toowoomba

NSW

Slow Roasted Pork Shoulder, Pickled Black Carrots & Split Peas Free range pork shoulder (bone in) 1 litre brown chicken stock 4 tbl ground fennel seeds 1 bay leaf Small bunch thyme 2 bunches of baby black carrots (washed & peeled) 1/2 cup red wine vinegar ½ cup brown sugar 1 litre water 3 cloves 2 cups split peas 1 onion 1 sprig rosemary 3 bunches pursillane (a small green leafy succulent)

1) The night before, score the skin & rub with a generous amount of salt, & fennel seeds.

2) Place Shoulder in a roasting tray, fill with chicken stock & enough water so flesh is fully submerged. Add herbs. Roast at high temperature for ½ hour until skin starts to crisp. Fill with more water & turn down to 120c. Roast for at least 12 hours.

3) Soak split peas & rinse 3 times. Roughly chop onion & sweat in small saucepan until translucent. Add split peas rosemary & 3 time’s the amount of water. Simmer on a very gentle heat until peas are soft (they should still have a bite to them, 30 mins) 4) Place carrots, sugar, vinegar, cloves & water into a pot. Bring to the boil, turn down & simmer until carrots are tender.

5) When ready to serve, pull crackling off with tongs & shred meat.You should have some lovely sauce left in your roasting tray, reduce to a gravy consistencey & add a pinch of sugar.

Enjoy this dish with our 2008 ‘Venus Block’ Reserve Orange Chardonnay.

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Capitanos, North Sydney Satasia, Balmian, Sydney

VIC Fiorelli Restaurant, East Hawthorn Sosta Cucina, North Melbourne

Congratulations to Michael Shipley of Russel Lea, Sydney. Winner of the Opera House – Venus Block Promotion drawn Tuesday 22nd February 2011.

FUNCTIONS CALENDAR MARCH Sydney Members’ Dinner Friday 11th March 2011 Wolfies Grill, The Rocks, Sydney $100 per person (taking wait list)

FUNCTION REVIEWS Sydney Gala Dinner Friday 18th February 2011 Members' and guests walked the red carpet at the Annual Sydney Gala Dinner on Friday 18th February 2011. “A Night at the Oscars” with Pepper Tree Wines delivered a night of premium wines matched to superb food along with great company, music and dancing!

Congratulations to all nominees and winners of the various awards presented on the night!

MAY Harvest Luncheon Saturday 21st May 2011 Saturday 28th May 2011 Roberts Restaurant, Pokolbin NSW $135.00 per person

JULY Brisbane Members’ Dinner

AUGUST Canberra Members’ Dinner Friday 12th August 2011 Pelagic Bar & Dining Baileys Arcade, Canberra City ACT $98.00 per person

SEPTEMBER Central Coast Member’s Dinner Budburst Luncheon

NOVEMBER Sydney Harbour Cruises QLD Members’ Dinner

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

Pepper Tree Wines Provides a Bit of Light for Cyclone Yasi Victims Adrian Gover, valued Pepper Tree Wine Club Member provided us with feedback of his experience of the recent category 5 cyclone Yasi: “Having had to evacuate my home, I had no ability to take many things, so obviously the photo albums and laptop with photos were the priority. Thanks for your recent delivery of the mixed dozen - they were the other things I took with me. I decided that if I was going to lose everything, I might as well have a nice glass of wine with my friends.

Luckily, I didn't lose my home but I have sincere sympathy for those who did. Thank you for providing me the little bit of light in a difficult time for my region. The Pepper Tree chardonnay worked a treat!!!” Adrian Gover, YORKEYS KNOB, QLD. Pepper Tree Wine Club Member Adrian Gover

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TO ORDER : phone 1800 655965 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

-

-

221.00

-

-

175.00

Wrattonbully

06, 07, 08

165.00

-

-

135.00

Orange

2010

22.00

19.00

-

205.00

'Strandlines' Cabernet Shiraz

Wrattonbully

2006

55.00

46.50

Cabernet Sauvignon SPECIAL

Wrattonbully

2004

55.00

46.50

VARIETAL

CASE QTY

TOTAL

AUTUMN SPECIALS Five Star Reserve 6 Pack Strandlines Trio Pack Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc

6 PACK

GRAND RESERVE RANGE

279.00 247.50 12 PACK

RESERVE RANGE 'Alluvius' Semillon 'Venus Block' Chardonnay

Hunter Valley

2010

32.00

27.50

330.00

Orange

2008

30.00

26.00

312.00

'14 Shores' Merlot

Wrattonbully

2009

35.00

29.50

354.00

'The Gravels' Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2008

35.00

29.50

354.00

'Elderslee Road' Cabernet Sauv

Wrattonbully

2007

35.00

29.50

354.00

'Calcare' Cabernet Sauvignon

Coonawarra

2008

35.00

29.50

354.00

Orange

2005

32.00

28.00

336.00

Hunter Valley

2010

22.00

19.00

228.00

Orange

2010

22.00

19.00

205.00

12 PACK

LIMITED RELEASE RANGE Silenus Sparkling Semillon Sauvignon Blanc SPECIAL Verdelho

Hunter Valley

2010

22.00

19.00

228.00

Pinot Gris

Wrattonbully

2010

22.00

19.00

228.00

Viognier

Wrattonbully

2010

22.00

19.00

228.00

Merlot

Wrattonbully

2008

25.00

21.00

252.00

'The Pebbles' Shiraz Viognier

Wrattonbully

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Orange

2008

25.00

21.00

252.00

Shiraz

Hunter Valley

2009

35.00

29.50

354.00

Tannat

Wrattonbully

2009

25.00

21.00

252.00 12 PACK

VARIETAL RANGE Semillon Sauvignon Blanc

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Verdelho

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Pinot Gris

Varietal

2010

18.00

15.00

180.00

Unwooded Chardonnay

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Chardonnay

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Merlot

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Cabernet Sauvignon

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Shiraz

Varietal

2009

18.00

15.00

180.00

Hunter Valley

2010

25.00

21.00

252.00

Orange

2006

25.00

21.00

252.00

NV

35.00

30.00

12 PACK

DESSERT & FORTIFIED WINES Botrytis Semillon Botrytis Sauvignon Blanc Vin De Vie

360.00 FREIGHT $11 PER CASE TOTAL $

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