Staff Profile;
IN THE WINERY WITH JIM CHATTO
Tristan Jones Tristan is the Marketing & Direct Sales Manager and has been with the company for 4 ½ years. Tristan plays a vital role within the company looking after Pepper Tree’s marketing activities, creating new initiatives and overseeing sales departments.
SPRING HAS SPRUNG!
After what has been the coldest Hunter Valley winter for years, spring is finally here. As things warm up, the vines awaken from their winter dormancy* the cycle starts all over again. I say; BRING IT ON!
New Releases! We are pretty excited to introduce two new wines to the Pepper Tree Limited Release range! The 2010 ‘Tallavera’ Shiraz is from our vineyard in the Mount View region & the 2011 ‘Tallawanta’ Semillon is from the vineyard home of 'Coquun'. Both these wines were originally destined for the Limited Release Hunter Valley Shiraz and 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. These are going on release this spring so be sure to try them as we have only made a small amount of each – approximately 200 cases of each!
Winery As we speak, the boys are busy finishing the blending of the 2010 Reds. These are looking better and better the closer they get to bottling. Highlights are: the ‘Calcare’ Cabernet from Coonawarra and the ‘Coquun’ Shiraz from the Hunter Valley. The 2010 reds are shaping up to be some of the best, if not the best we have produced, even better than the wonderful 08’s! We are also starting to look at blends for the 2011 Chardonnay’s in oak. These have been in barrel since harvest and the oak is just starting to integrate with the fruit. Once we are happy with the level of oak they will come out of barrel and be blended ready for bottling in November - the 2011 Hunter Chardonnay is looking very good (best for a long time)! As a result of the cooler season, this has allowed for great flavour development at lower sugar levels and resultant alcohol. Coupled with good natural acidity, Chardonnay is probably the standout white in 2011 for the Hunter. *Grapevine dormancy Grape vines have evolved to survive the harsh winter conditions in temperate climates by losing their leaves and shutting down many of their metabolic activities- AKA ‘dormancy’. In spring when things start to warm up the dormant buds swell then literally burst with the young shoots and leaves that will ripen the fruit later in the season.
What do you like most about working at Pepper Tree Wines? The staff, the wine and working for a company that stands by its brand. It says a lot in today’s climate. What do you believe Pepper Tree’s greatest strength is? The friendly staff and the extensive resources it has available to consistently produce quality wine year after year. Take the Halliday Companion for example – 5 Star Winery 2010, 2011 & 2012. What is the strangest comment that someone has said to you? I can’t drink Chardonnay because I’m allergic to nuts. At one stage we had descriptions of each wine on the tasting list and our Chardonnay read... stone fruit and melons on the nose with traces of cashew. Which upcoming wine are you most looking forward to trying? I am looking forward to trying the 2010 Coquun Reserve Hunter Valley Shiraz – I'm a big Hunter Fan! What has been your favourite Members Event that you have attended? There have been too many – however if I was forced to choose, it would be the 2011 Annual Gala Dinner in February – with the theme ‘A Night at the Oscars’ otherwise known as the ‘Academy Awards’.Yes that’s right Kirby & Kate - correct as always! Which event are you looking forward to next? 2012 Harvest Luncheon in May, always a good event – good food, wine and great mix of members who attend What is the funniest moment that you have experienced while working at Pepper Tree? The trip home in the car after our 2009 Harbour Cruises with Mark Coster (do I need to say anymore), Sandra Brown, Lyn Strong (otherwise known as ‘G-Strong’) and Kate Dixon-Hughes. Mark had arrived back to the hotel at 6am after a night out with fellow colleagues (who we won’t mention) to be pointed in the direction of my car to embark on our journey back to the Hunter Valley. Mark, still intoxicated managed to provide comic relief for the 2 hour journey home at the expense of others. Let’s say this was one of Costers finer moments and all other staff car trips have never been the same. If you could have dinner with 3 people of your choice who would it be? Lance Armstrong, Megan Fox & Hamish Blake.
Cheers, Jim
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