Pepperton Estate

Producer Focus - Pepperton Estate Pepperton Estate is located in the village of Beelbangera in New South Wales, 500km west of Sydney. While a winery was originally founded in the 1930s on the site by an Italian Immigrant family, the Rossettos, Pepperton Estate was established in its current incarnation by the Toohey family who named it after Peppardstown in Co.Tipperary. While Pepperton Estate is a relatively young endeavour, it benefits enormously from their chief winemaker’s decades of experience. Rod Hooper is one of the most renowned Australian winemakers, specialising in working with boutique growers like Pepperton. An Oenology graduate of the celebrated Roseworthy Agricultural College, Rod gained international winemaking experience with vintages in California, France and Germany, and has over 30 vintages to his name. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Queensland wine industry in the mid-80s and has spent several years teaching winemaking and viticulture at Charles Sturt University, New South Wales. At last count, Rod has won 30 trophies, including 51 gold, and more than 300 other medals for his range of wines. So there’s some serious skill behind the wine at Pepperton Estate. Wines Direct stock a red and a white from Pepperton, both of which are worthy of some attention. Pepperton Estate Chardonnay Semillon This is a lovely Australian white wine in a fresh, fruit-driven style. At first, there are citrus and peach aromas, then soft, clean, and bright fruit flavours emerge only to release an attractive lemony acidity. This is a typical Australian Chardonnay in the best way possible. I can imagine really enjoying Pepperton Estate Chardonnay Semillon with something from the sea in a rich or cream-based sauce. Come to think of it, this would be an ideal wine to go with a chowder or coconut-based curry! Pepperton Estate Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot Rich aromas of red plums and blackberries are balanced by black pepper and spice. This wine yields dark berry fruit flavours that contrast well with a little burnt toffee on the palate. An outstanding blend of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Australia. This is a great party wine because of how adaptable it is in terms of food pairings. Pepperton red would be delicious with almost any meat as well as milder spicy dishes like tagines. "This will take you from a late summer barbecue through to autumn dinner parties. Clean, ripe and smouldering dark fruit, such as blackberries and ripe plums, with plenty of pepper and spice. Without a hint of a jamminess that is associated with wines labelled South Eastern Australia." Katherine Donnelly, Irish Independent If you want to know what 30+ vintages of winemaking experience tastes like, Pepperton Estate Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot & Pepperton Estate Chardonnay Semillon will be open for tasting in our Arnots and Mullingar stores from Monday the 13^th of November. Drop in and have a try!