Welcome to 2010 and of course our first edition of Penny’s Worth for the new decade!

Here at the GWG we are looking forward to a big and successful year, and we hope you’ll happily come along for the ride!

 

BLOODY BIG NIGHT OUT

 

Old mate, TV cook, Iain Hewitson was in town recently flogging signed copies of his new book, “Huey’s Bloody Good Recipes”.

 

Huey and I retired to Vito Romano’s Universal Wine Bar and chugged through a load of Penny’s Hill Chardonnay, which was once Huey’s fave and saw him rise to the position of Australia’s largest consumer of the PH Chardy before health issues forced a change of diet. This resulted in a dramatic drop in Victorian chardonnay sales.

 

The Universal performance was a tribute to those good old days when the pair worked together producing TV ads.

 

OFF THE SHELF – “The Agreement”

 

Whilst on largest and sales, I can confirm that East End Cellars, just a short stagger from the back door of Universal Wine Bar is now officially the world’s largest seller of Penny’s Hill “The Agreement”, the fine ripe, gooseberry, lychee ‘savvy blanc’ from the old soils of Anthony & Sylvia Toop’s “Battunga Hill” vineyard at Kuitpo.

 

The wine has scored an EEC “Red Book” listing and according to owner, Michael Andrewartha, “The Agreement” got into EEC’s annual top 100 wines on sales after just two weeks on the shelf. Sorry off the shelf!

 

MOVIE MOGULS

 

If you see the Scott Hicks film, “The Boys are Back” which we insist you do (still in selected cinemas for a few more weeks, and sure to be out on DVD in the coming months), take note of two things in particular; the featured “Tall Boys” wines which as you know from previous Penny’s Worth were commissioned especially for the movie. Talk about a collaboration. Kerry Heysen-Hicks started the process. Scott evolved the label design (pictured) using artwork by Tom Gleghorn which also appears hanging in the passage of the house used in the movie…Clive Owen drinks the wine and we have it available here at the Cellars – details below on how to order. The wines: a very crisp Chardonnay from the “Yacca Paddock” vineyards of Scott & Kerry at Kuitpo and Shiraz from the Penny’s Hill Malpas Road Vineyard, both crafted by Ben Riggs. David Parky’s Shed Space Studios did the label art and stuck on the mock-ups used in the movie. And the film features the son-in-law, Erik (the red) Thomson as Clive Owen’s journo work mate!

 

What’s the second thing to look for? Not telling. Except, there’s a vineyard scene in which you may recognise a couple of the extras…

 

Until next edition.

Cheers!

Battunga Hill & Penny’s Hill presents a special “freight free” White Christmas 2009 Vintage Direct Purchase Offer. Yes, we know Christmas has been and gone…but we are still celebrating with some great deals!

The wines on offer include Battunga Hill 2009 Verdelho and Penny’s Hill 2009 ‘The Agreement’ Sauvignon Blanc. Fruit for both wines was sourced from the Battunga Hill vineyard, owned by Anthony Toop.

Purchase straight cases of each, or mix the dozen up with half and half. The more cases you purchase, the cheaper it is for you!

Have we got some great deals for you currently in cellar door!

Firstly – our ‘Magnificent Magnums’…you can buy the Mr. Riggs 2007 ‘The Gaffer’ Shiraz and Penny’s Hill 2006 Shiraz magnums for only $60 each. Or the Mr. Riggs 2006 Shiraz magnum for only $125. How good are those prices? And what a great gift for someone special. But wait there’s more…

Our very popular cleanskin 2005 Sangiovese for $60 per case or $100 for two is still on sale as well as cleanskin 2007 Dry White for $54 a case - both great for summer holiday drinking.

Please note - unless you are coming to the cellars to pick any of these deals up yourself, please add $10 freight for local Adelaide deliveries and $15 for SA country and interstate deliveries per case.

 

But get in quick, as stock is going fast.

Back at the end of September, Chook Cat underwent a very important photographic shoot to appear in the Summer 2009 edition of ‘We Care’ – the Animal Welfare League of SA’s official magazine.

She posed beautifully for the camera whilst her colleagues were interviewed on her colourful life story. Her photograph is accompanied in the magazine by a nice little article.

Yet again the Penny’s Hill & Mr. Riggs Cellars has made it onto the small screen.

Back in late October, Nuala Hafner, Channel 7s Sunrise Entertainment Editor, visited the region to interview local resident Erik Thomson about his role in the new Scott Hick’s film ‘The Boys are Back’ and view for herself the awesome Fleurieu Peninsula scenery that appears in the movie. After filming, Nuala and her crew tucked into a delectable lunch at The Kitchen Door.

 

Feel like a treat for lunch? Something different? Something the vignerons and winemakers come far and wide for? Something they phone in and place an order for to make sure they don’t miss out?

Then you need a Steak Sandwich at the Penny’s Hill & Mr. Riggs Cellars!

They are only $18 each and include a Coorong Angus Flat Iron Steak, Hamlets Smokey Bacon, Fleurieu Free Range Egg, Lettuce and Tomato and served with fried Coliban potatoes.

Wrap your teeth around one of these beauties – you won’t be disappointed!

The newest addition to the GWG team is Dean King. Dean joins us after semi-retiring for a couple of years and moving away from the Fleurieu Peninsula interstate so his wife Susie could continue her photographic business. He used to be our local Aussie Post wine pick up man, a business he owned and operated for around 5 years, after driving for various other companies for 15 years. Well he’s now back in the region and helping out our Logistics Manager, Chris Steinhoff as our new Warehouse Assistant – which involves him handling wine for domestic and export orders.

We’ve been picking up accolades left right and centre over the past month or so.

We won the trophy for ‘Best Tempranillo and Blends’ at the 2009 Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition for the 2007 Mr. Riggs ‘Yacca Paddock’ Tempranillo, against a strong line-up of traditional Spanish brands, as well as New World styles.

At the same wine show, we also won a Gold medal for the 2007 Mr. Riggs ‘Piebald’ Shiraz Viognier and a Silver for the 2009 Mr. Riggs Watervale Riesling.

 

Our summer menu commenced in ‘The Kitchen Door’ restaurant back on 5th December and will continue for another few weeks. The entrees, mains, and tasting menu, matched or un-matched with wine, have all been updated, but still include what we are well known for – innovative, regional and reasonably priced dishes. Anyone for ‘The Kitchen Door’ Spencer Gulf Prawn Cocktail or Festive Open Duck Leg Pie?

Please note our menu changes every eight weeks or so.

To enjoy our latest menu, please book via the restaurant on 08 8556 4000.

On the evening of Friday, 11th December, the staff of Penny’s Hill & Mr. Riggs Cellars and The Kitchen Door restaurant and their families celebrated the impending arrival of the jolly man in the red suit, with a gourmet BBQ at ‘Ingleburne’ Farm.

Giant board games and face painting kept the kids (and adults!) entertained until Sam Temme by day/Santa Claus by night arrived to hand out the presents. The adults also received presents, albeit in the form of Kris Kringle gifts from fellow staff members.

More than 30 artists have taken to The Heysen Trail for a huge art exhibition scheduled for February 2010.

The brain child of Russell Starke OAM, Director of Greenhill Galleries Adelaide which is linked with our very own Red Dot Gallery here at ‘Ingleburne’ Farm, this exhibition will feature simultaneously in 6 locations along the Trail.

Like the spine of the state, the Trail runs from the coccyx at Cape Jervis to the crown at Parachilna, so the invited artists have a plethora of choices in subject matter.

Artist John Whitney gave Russell the original idea after seeing a single show in the UK based on an ancient Roman Road.

Many award winning and highly regarded South Australian artists have accepted the challenge to interpret The Heysen Trail and the amazing landscapes it threads through – see the below link for just a taste of who is exhibiting.

This landmark exhibition showcases the internationally important Trail and the creative talents flourishing around it. Long term plans envisage a biennial series of exhibitions, not necessarily at Festival of Arts time, incorporating major artists in workshops along the trail encouraging participating interstate/overseas visitors.

 

Timed to begin prior to the 2010 Adelaide Festival of Arts and extending beyond it, the opening schedule is as follows;-

 

Thursday, February 18th - Hilton Hotel, First Floor, Adelaide, 6pm

Friday, February 19th - Prairie Hotel, Parachilna, 6pm

Saturday, February 20th - Port Pirie Regional Gallery, 2pm and Penny's Hill & Mr. Riggs Cellars, McLaren Vale, 2pm

Sunday, February 21st - Greenhill Galleries Adelaide, 11am and Goolwa Regional Gallery, 3pm

 

For more detailed information, contact Rebecca Staker at Greenhill Galleries Adelaide, 140 Barton Terrace West  North Adelaide 5006, Ph 8267 2933 Fax 8239 0148 greenhill@internode.on.net

Have you considered the Penny’s Hill & Mr. Riggs Cellars at ‘Ingleburne’ Farm for your Function, Event or Wedding? The rustic charm that captures the property’s original use as a farm has been retained to provide a perfect backdrop. The front grounds of the original 1850’s farmhouse and the many original features of the property that still exist are available for photographs. From experience, we have developed a minimum standard for Functions, Events & Weddings to ensure a unique experience for you and your guests.

 

Our food style is Modern Australian with a Mediterranean influence. Our menus are designed around seasonal availability, using fresh produce from local growers. Menu choices are not limited, should you have any special requests we would be more than happy to assist.

 

Accommodation for up to 8 people is also available in the historic ‘Ingleburne’ Homestead and the front lawns make for a perfect garden ceremony location.

Please feel free to make a time to view our facilities or to discuss details of your day.

Call 08 8556 4000 or email functions@gwg.net.au or showie@gwg.net.au to arrange a mutually convenient time. We look forward to assisting you make your event most memorable.

 

Sarah Howie

Functions Manager

Wk: 08 8556 4000

Here at the GWG we are offering FREE tastings to any businesses, local or interstate, to showcase our wines to the corporate world. Tastings can be conducted at your place of work (preferably in a boardroom type setting), another venue of your choice, or here at the GWG cellars. Corporate discounts will be offered at the tastings, and businesses will have access to the many other products and services we have on offer here at GWG after the tastings. Why not organise one as a Christmas get together for staff or clients.

Very proud of the second vintage of this fine addition to the Mr. Riggs portfolio, Ben notes that it is a very fragrant, aromatic, tightly structured Coonawarra Cabernet with a lovely, soft, juicy middle palate.

This is the eighth release of Shiraz under the Mr. Riggs label, and in the Mr. Riggs McLaren Vale Shiraz mould, pristine fruit with dark red berries, hints of spice, earth, tar and leather, with seamlessly integrated oak are the prime characteristics. Ripe tannins are apparent but not overwhelming, meaning this is a wine which can be enjoyed now or in the next 10-15 years.

Just bottled and not due for release until the first quarter of 2010, the Mr. Riggs 2009 ‘Cold Chalk’ Chardonnay had a production run of only 276 cases and is so ‘special’ the first vintage will only be sold through our cellar door.

And where does the name come from…? As a young winemaker travelling the globe, the ‘Old World’ Chardonnays that Ben Riggs fell in love with in the 1980s (described ‘like drinking cold chalk soup’) inspired him to make an Adelaide Hills Chardonnay.