It only seems like yesterday that we were bringing you the first edition of Penny’s Worth for 2010, and now we are already into another financial year!

Here at the GWG we are looking forward to continuing our big and successful year, and we hope you’ll stay along for the ride!

 

You’d have to have been under a rockmelon to have missed mention of the ongoing phenomenon called MasterChef.  Now touted as a $100m ‘empire’, after less than two seasons, the show has important local connections including the high-performing Marion Grasby who we applaud for progressing so far through the competition, only a bad sate day tripping up the poor darling with the finishing line almost hers!

 

The second local hook up has been the appearance of our wines which have been with MasterChef since inception. It has proved a fabulous relationship with Mr. Riggs “The Gaffer”, Penny’s Hill “The Agreement” and “The Black Chook” being regular, sometimes not so subtle inclusions on the set. It has to be one of the better punts ever – in contrast to a punt an impresario friend of mine once didn’t take, deciding that a certain auditionee lacked sufficient singing talent to be worth taking on. Her name - Olivia Newton John!

 

A bit against the trend, an economic necessity to get wines to market, we have deliberately aged a parcel of 2008 Penny's Hill estate Shiraz some extra months to enhance complexity and character. Working on the idea that it’s been under lock and key as it aged, the new release, now unlocked and ready to pass over the discerning palate, is called “The Skeleton Key”, a 449 case limited run which will retail for $35 a bottle at the cellars.

 

Over the last weeks, a veritable sub-flock of new-born Suffolk lambs (pictured) has cellar visitors and diners entranced as they spontaneously spring, joyously jump and zap, zing and zag at random.  It’s uncanny, but they seem to instinctively ‘feel’ an audience, and perform as if on cue, usually up, down and along the banks of the shallow creek just north of the cellar complex. Be quick to have a sticky beak because they very quickly expand from spring-powered black hued toys into round woolly ‘barrels’.

 

Once again, “The Kitchen Door” restaurant is among the finalists for Best Restaurant in a Winery in the SA Restaurant & Catering Awards. We won this category in the national awards in 2007 with Chef Ben Sommariva and then Restaurant Manager James Spreadbury at the helm. James has gone onto restaurant “everest” with NOMA in Denmark, where he holds the position of Assistant Manager, and NOMA was named the world’s best restaurant in 2010. Chef Ben and team, aided by sommelier-in-the-making, Josh Picken continues to excite the senses with emphasis on foods of the region matched carefully with our wines. Forks crossed, we crack the prize yet again!

 

Every so often, a wine grabs the headlines and after a lull between winning everything with the 2004 Bushing King Penny’s Hill Shiraz, our 2008 “Cracking Black” Shiraz has put our name back in the spotlight; from Blue–Gold at the 2010 Sydney International Wine Challenge to Silver medals at both the 2010 International Wine Challenge and 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards, held in London earlier this year. Good work by the winemaking team under Ben Riggs, “Cracking Black” at just $22 a bottle is taking off vertically and will spread the Penny’s Hill brand to a growing number of fans of the red dot!

 

After selling out in a flash, the second vintage of Penny’s Hill “The Agreement” Sauvignon Blanc from the serendipitous Kuitpo vineyard of Anthony and Sylvia Toop is yet again available. At $19, the 2010 vintage is great value and already has a dedicated following from such bright establishments as the “Good Life” Pizza chain. It’s a clean, fresh, hugely agreeable wine that works well all year. And in keeping with the Adelaide Hills white wine notion, we will soon have a 2010 Chardonnay on hand as we focus our McLaren Vale estates on an all-red wine production. It’s all about selecting the fruit most suited to the end offering as we know you will agree! 

 

Until next edition.

Cheers!

Tony Parkinson (Parky)

The grapes are all off, the fruit is in the winery and the ferments are bubbling away. We’ve bottled a majority of our 2010 whites and a few 2009 reds so far this year, and things are looking pretty darn good.

Winemaker Ben Riggs believes 2010 is a very, very, very good vintage. The crops have been plentiful, of high quality and the nice weather just before vintage meant it was the first in a little while where there was no panic to pick: it was all rather cruisy.

We have classic McLaren Vale Shiraz – soft, juicy, of good structure and easy drinkability, and the Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the best Ben has seen, and there’s lots of it. They will be crackers when released.

The whites – Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling – are great, and you can try them now at the cellars.

To book, call The Kitchen Door on 08 8556 4000 or email bookings@gwg.net.au.

But get in quick, as stock is going fast.

Feel like going somewhere different for an afternoon tea sweet treat?

Then head here to the Penny’s Hill & Mr. Riggs Cellars, where you can enjoy a coffee or tea with one of our giant house-made biscuits, in warm comfort.

If biscuits aren’t your thing, then how about a cheese platter to laze the afternoon away.

Whatever you choose – you won’t be disappointed!

We’ve been doing well in Wine Shows and the like over the past few months, so thought we’d share the love with you.

We received Silver medals for the 2008 Penny’s Hill ‘The Specialized’ Shiraz Cabernet Merlot blend, 2008 Penny’s Hill ‘Cracking Black’ Shiraz (now sold out) and 2008 Mr. Riggs ‘The Gaffer’ Shiraz at the 2010 International Wine Competition in London.

The 2008 Penny’s Hill ‘Cracking Black’ Shiraz also received a Silver medal at the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards.

 

Congratulations is also in order to The Kitchen Door team who are again a finalist in the ‘Best Restaurant in a Winery’ category at the 2010 Restaurant & Catering SA Awards for Excellence. Winners will be announced at the gala dinner on Monday, 26th July at the Entertainment Centre…so stay tuned.

The CanDo Caper Amazing Race Corporate Challenge is a two day race in and around South Australia where up to 30 businesses will compete using a combination of brains and brawn to win the title as the ultimate team!
The race is based on the popular TV Show 'The Amazing Race' and follows Deaf CanDo's already very successful and award winning Amazing Race around Adelaide.
The event was a great success in 2009 with over $131,000 raised to help South Australian children and adults who are deaf, blind and sensory impaired and with fantastic feedback from those who took part.

 

Held on October 15 and 16, the GWG is getting in on the act and has entered a 4 person team aptly named 'The Black Chooks'. Kymbo, Dale, Chris and Erin need your help to raise the minimum $1,500 to compete and then reach our fundraising target for Deaf CanDo of $3,000...but of course we'd love to raise more!

 

Our fundraising ideas so far include (rest assured there will be more!):

Alternatively, you can simply donate any spare change to our team via The Amazing Race Corporate Challenge website. Click on the link below.

 

So get on board and help us help Deaf CanDo and have some fun doing it!

 

Cheers from ‘The Black Chooks’.

To give you an even better relationship with our wines and our facilities, we proudly offer you membership of the Galvanized Cellar Club. This will give you access to all of our wine brands, Penny’s Hill, Mr. Riggs, Woop Woop and The Black Chook. It will also facilitate priority bookings for accommodation, lunches, dinners and events and each year, you will automatically receive special wine offers.

On Monday 10th and Tuesday 11th May, a group of 24 key management and floor staff of the NSW and ACT retail wine trade and on-premise marketplace converged on McLaren Vale for the McLaren Vale Grape Wine and Tourism Association Meet Your Maker series.

Over the two days the group toured the district, visiting the major wineries and eateries, where they were treated to the best of what McLaren Vale has to offer.

The MYM series continued this week, with the Melbourne guests making their trip to the Vale on Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th July, and the final groups will visit from Adelaide and Brisbane later in the year.

Our winter menu commenced in ‘The Kitchen Door’ restaurant way back on 29th May and it’s a cracker! 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’ Cassoulet or Hong Kong-inspired Rainbow Trout Almondene?

Please note our menu changes every eight weeks or so.

 

We are pleased to announce the release of our new winter dessert menu this weekend, 17th July. Think chocolate and honeycomb soufflé or pear tarte tatin…just the ticket to warm the belly on a cold winter’s afternoon.

 

And finally, we are also offering ALL customers a special lunch time deal from Monday to Thursday. Diners will receive a delicious entrée and main dish from our superb set menu PLUS a complimentary glass of one of our red or white wines for the low price of $35 per person. So why not treat yourself and your family and friends to a picturesque food and wine experience at The Kitchen Door today.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

 

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

On Sunday of the June long weekend, 165 people enjoyed amazing food, marvellous wines and toe tapping tunes when The Kitchen Door put on their degustation lunch for the 2010 Sea & Vines festival.

The new format of the festival, which included pre-booking of tickets, created a true food-wine experience for the patrons who ventured into the beautiful McLaren Vale region on what ended up being a gloriously, sunny afternoon.

The highlight of the day was TKD staff member Sarah Gousse belting out a tune with band ‘Pulse’ followed by Restaurant Manager Josh Picken (pictured) jamming away on the drums – we certainly do have a bunch of talented staff here at the GWG!

 

We hope all those who attended our lunch enjoyed it as much as we did, and we look forward to seeing you all again next year.

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.

We can provide you with not only an innovative venue for wine tasting, lunch and dinner, but prizes for raffles, silent auctions and corporate gifts, such as vouchers for accommodation and the restaurant, wine and local produce baskets. (Corporate discount rates will apply.)

 

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 mcoleman@gwg.net.au to arrange a mutually convenient time. We look forward to assisting you make your event most memorable.

 

Michelle Coleman

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 social get together for staff or clients.

After the runaway success of their first “Agreement”, the Anthony’s, (Toop and Parkinson), could not contain their excitement at the idea of continuing the line to a second production.

From Toop’s Battunga Vineyard at Kuitpo in the Southern Adelaide Hills, this wine exudes pure elegance. Vintage 2010 Adelaide Hills whites were yet again of amazing quality, making our take on the popular variety a fine white wine addition to the Penny’s Hill range.

A deliberately long-aged expression of the cumulative best of our McLaren Vale vineyards, “The Skeleton Key” will benefit from cellaring and careful bottle aging before it is ‘unlocked’, a couple of years after the vintage from which it was committed.

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. Describing a Chardonnay as cold chalk is a backhanded compliment. Very dry, light and pure, tightly wound and concentrated on the palate, refreshing and unforgettable. For Ben, texture of the wine is the key component of a great Chardonnay, and when all said and done there is no point in trying to break the mould when the original works so well.

This is our seventh vintage of famous The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier; but now with an exciting amendment! A true chook has a name, and to evolve the breed that little further up the pecking order, we have named the latest vintage of our seamless primarily Shiraz integration with that wee dash of Viognier simply ‘The Black Chook Shiraz’. We see this as reinforcing the very varietal that our region and our much-loved brand does best. Roost assured however, it is still the cleverly crafted wine that has bred a generation of passionate chook lovers!

As the legion of ‘chook’ lovers grows across the globe and the wines evolve, we are over the chicken wire with this inaugural vintage 2010 Adelaide Hills Pinot Grigio. Delicious, crisp and fresh, this is a wine that struts it’s stuff. A wine to get really clucky on, a wine to roost with. A wine for all occasions.