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| 6 Aug 2024 | |
| Top Stories |
Thank you to those who attended the St Peter’s Old Collegians’ Dinner on Saturday 27 July. The National Wine Centre was the perfect venue for the 15 winemakers and wine ambassadors to showcase their wines.
150 guests were welcomed with glasses of Corryton Burge sparkling generously donated by Grant Burge (SCH 1968).
Each table was hosted by an old scholar winemaker or winery ambassador with all wines supplied and matched to the menu.
Our heartfelt thanks to the wineries who took part and the old scholars who represented them on the night:
Image: Event Wine Partners 2024
Front Daniel Franklin, Andrew Hardy, Nick James-Martin, Richard Hamilton, Tom Simpson, Jonathon Hesketh, Dean Hewitson
Back: James Carman, Hugh Guthrie, Marc Allgrove, Dru Reschke, Matt Pellew and Will Simpson
(Simon Tolley & Hamish Laurie not pictured).
As we raised our glasses, we celebrated not only the wines but also the stories, traditions, and legacies that have been cultivated over the years. We encourage you to support them by visiting their cellar doors, joining their wine clubs, and filling your cellar with their exceptional wines. Learn more about the wineries below and enjoy their special offers. The gallery of photos can be viewed here.
Ashton Hills, represnted by William Simpson (DAC 2007)
Ashton Hills is a three hectare, dry-grown vineyard that lies in the Piccadilly Valley sub region of the Adelaide Hills, on a ridge just below the summit of Mount Lofty.
The estate was founded by Stephen George in 1982 and since that time it has built a reputation as one of Australia’s finest proponents of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Planting his vineyard at an altitude of 570 metres and with a south facing aspect that looks towards Mt Lofty, Stephen was drawn to the fact that the site was one of the coolest areas in South Australia. For over 30 years Stephen experimented with up to 26 Pinot Noir clones, ultimately settling on six clones that now make the acclaimed Reserve and Estate Pinot Noirs from Ashton Hills.
Eight carefully cultivated rows of Riesling also remain in the Ashton Hills vineyard, producing a highly exclusive and limited Ashton Hills Riesling each year.
The vineyard is now managed by Anton Groffen and winemaking is in the capable hands of Liam Van Pelt, who worked closely with Stephen through the 2019 and 2020 vintage before taking the reins.
https://www.ashtonhills.com.au/
Corryton Burge represented by Matt Pellew (FLL 1985)
Corryton Burge, nestled in the picturesque Barossa wine region, is a testament to the Burge family's rich winemaking heritage. Founded in 2020, by the 5th and 6th generation of the iconic wine family, Corryton Burge symbolises two generations coming together to create exceptional wines. This new family wine brand honours their legacy while embracing the future. The family’s vineyards produce grapes of unparalleled quality, resulting in wines that truly reflect their terroir. Corryton Burge is dedicated to the belief that wine brings people together, and each bottle is crafted with the heart and soul of the Burge family, blending tradition and innovation seamlessly.
Chief Winemaker Matthew Pellew (FLL 1985) has over 30 years of winemaking experience. His extensive career has taken him to the world's premier wine regions, ultimately returning to the Barossa, where he plays a crucial role at Corryton Burge. Matthew excels with varieties like Riesling, Chardonnay, and Shiraz but has a particular passion for mastering blends of Grenache, Shiraz, Mourvèdre, and crafting balanced Cabernet from Eden Valley. In 2022, Matthew was honoured by his peers as the Barossa Winemaker of the Year, a testament to his skill and dedication. He finds joy in his role, embracing the opportunity to travel and share the pleasure of wine with enthusiasts worldwide.
Use code SPOC24 to access 15% off all wine orders on the family winery's website
www.corrytonburge.com
Deviation Road presented by Hamish Laurie (WDK 1983)
Deviation Road was established in 1999 by Hamish and Kate Laurie. The winery and cellar door are located in the Adelaide Hills. Specialists in chardonnay and pinot noir - in both sparkling and still forms - the Deviation Road range of wines showcases the unique and precise fruit of the Adelaide Hills. The style acknowledges their deep respect for tradition, yet with a contemporary edge. Crowned for the Best Australian Sparkling in 2021 by James Halliday and being presented with the trophy for Best Sparkling of Show at the Adelaide Hills wine show six out of the last 10 years, attests to the quality of the wines being produced.
https://www.deviationroad.com/
Guthrie Wines presented by Hugh Guthrie (FRR 2000)
Established in 2012, Guthrie wines was originally a side project whilst winemaker Hugh Guthrie (FRR 2000) worked in wineries in South Australia and the abroad but quickly became his sole focus in 2014. Guthrie Wines stands as a testament to the art of micro-batch winemaking, where each bottle narrates a unique tale of its provenance. From his family’s Adelaide Hills farm, “Rocky Glen”, where the Guthrie’s have been for five generations, Hugh, with the help of his sons Angus, Will and Charlie, craft the wines, working with the intimate knowledge of the top local growers and special pockets of the Adelaide Hills. His range showcases a thoughtful curation of the region’s classic varieties, enriched by more unconventional offerings, such as his Pinot Noir Syrah blend and a nuanced Grüner Veltliner. Guthrie’s approach is one of subtle innovation – his aim is not to overpower but to unveil the inherent narrative of each vineyard block and grape, letting the land’s voice resonate through his wines. This philosophy yields creations that are reflections of the Adelaide Hills’ diverse terroir, captured through a winemaker’s lens that values authenticity and a gentle guiding hand over intrusive intervention.
https://www.guthriewines.com.au/
Hewitson Wines presented by Dean Hewitson (ATH 1982)
DEAN HEWITSON was born in 1965 in the primary days of the red and white table wine booms in
Australia. Consequently, in the early ‘70s he was planting vines and harvesting grapes in the small vineyard his parents with friends commenced, while collecting wine labels in a scrap book. It was an inconspicuous beginning to a life in wine. Dean completed his Wine Making Degree at Australia’s Roseworthy College in 1986. He then spent the next decade gaining invaluable experience in Australia, France and USA. These included vintages in Oregon, Bordeaux, Champagne, Beaujolais and Provence, as well as completing his Masters (Enology) at UCDavis, California. Dean returned to Australia and established his eponymous winery Hewitson in 1998 in the heart of the Barossa Valley.
Koonara Wines presented by Dru Reschke (SCH 1992)
Dru started Koonara Wines with this father in 1998 after the first wine made in 1997 was bought up by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Since 2006, Koonara has been Organic, with not even organic Herbicides & Pesticides being used for 17 years. “We analyse the nutrients in the leaf & soil, then add it back through the irrigation to balance the health of the vineyard. This increases sugars in the leaf to 14.5 Brix, preventing pests of disease pressure.”
Dru Reschke is a serial entrepreneur and Environmental advocate. He has the first organic vineyard in Coonawarra, using a system he describes as Ecosystem Organics – “we’ve created an ecosystem in the vineyard, which is why we haven’t had to spray even an organic herbicide or pesticide for 17 years.” He also owns Savour Glassware, a patented glassware range which includes a non-spill cocktail glass, NatureCare, a Soil Carbon company utilising unique AI Satellite tech to gain maximum Carbon Credits for farmers, and SecuriCode; a unique anti-counterfeit track & Trace barcode.
Leconfield Wines presented by James Carman (MAC1999)
Leconfield Coonawarra was established by noted oenologist Sydney Hamilton (1898-1987) when in 1974, at the extraordinary age of 76 years, and after searching the whole of the Australian continent and Tasmania he selected 30 ha of fine ‘Terra Rossa’ country in the southern half of the Coonawarra strip with the aim of fulfilling his lifelong ambition to make Australia’s best red wine from Cabernet Sauvignon before his time ran out. This plot comprised some of the area’s richest terra rossa soil over limestone, a composition for which Coonawarra is famous. Naming the estate Leconfield, after an English ancestor, Lord Leconfield, it was here that he set about planting vines, building the cellar and winemaking equipment and ultimately fulfilling his ambition to produce the classic Australian Cabernet Sauvignon with the 1978 and 1980 Cabernets.
Today and since 1981, under the direction of Sydney’s nephew , Dr Richard Hamilton, Leconfield Coonawarra is regarded amongst the region’s and Australia’s finest producers. Leconfield vineyards deliver exceptional quality fruit year after year, resulting in an outstanding range of elegant, red and white cool climate wines.
James Carman (MAC 1999) is the Sales & Marketing Manager with Leconfield & Richard Hamilton Wines. With a passion for international trade, brand marketing, product development and good wine, James has traversed the globe for over 20 years, serving some of the World’s most recognised private and listed wine businesses.
https://www.leconfieldwines.com/
Mosquito Hill Wines presented by Daniel Franklin (MAC 2005)
Mosquito Hill Wines is a small artisanal winery located in the picturesque Mt Jagged region of the Southern Fleurieu Peninsula and was established in the mid-1990s by Glyn Jamieson and his late wife, Elizabeth. Mosquito Hill Wines was founded on a love for the French styles of wine making and in particular Burgundy, leading to the planting Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards in 1996 & 1998. Growing the best possible grapes, managing the vineyards sustainably, ensuring vine and soil health and low yields are integral to the Mosquito Hill Wines approach.
Fast forward 30 years and Daniel Franklin (MAC 2005) became a part owner of Mosquito Hill Wines and works closely with Glyn on all facets of the operation, from vineyard management, to wine making and sales and distribution and has recently expanded distribution into the UK. Glyn and Daniel, coupled with the vines maturity and the regions cool climate have a recipe for small grapes that are high in acid and rich in flavour but light in body, allowing us to make wines we are very proud of. Each year Mosquito Hill Wines make small quantities of premium cool climate wines, including our 2 expressions of both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Emeritus and Bowtie, and our vintage Blanc de Blancs and Sparkling Rose.
SPSC10 gives 10% off purchases $150 and over, free local delivery.
https://mosquitohillwines.com.au/
Oliver’s Taranga represented by Marc Allgrove (W&A 1988)
The Olivers Taranga story is built on six generations of stubborn, competitive growers and one equally spirited winemaker. The Oliver family have lived in the heart of South Australia’s McLaren Vale for over 185 years. Evolving from a broad, mixed and totally self-sustaining farming operation to one that flourishes and prides itself today on producing perfect parcels of fruit on their 100 hectare ‘Taranga’ property. Their collection of small batch, handcrafted, Oliver’s Taranga wines speak of both the variety and vintage, capturing a time and place, while continuing to document the family’s ongoing deep relationship with the land for which they are custodians.
Marc Allgrove (W&A 1988) is a member of the Oliver’s family advisory board and a director of Evans + Ayers, South Australia’s oldest business advisory service established in 1881. Prior to joining Evans + Ayers he was the CEO of McLaren Vale winery Chapel Hill from 2009-2013. He has over 30 years within the Australian wine industry and providing advisory services to the broader business, arts, education and philanthropy markets.
Join the exclusive Oliver’s Taranga Wine Club for up to 25% Off, free freight, exclusive wines and member events.
OliversTaranga.com
Ox Hardy Wines presented by Andrew Hardy (HWK 1978)
Ox Hardy is the precious combination of family, heritage, and provenance inspired by a father son project which ushers in the next chapter of a multi-generational legacy. The Hardy’s are one of the founding families of the Australian wine industry and the Upper Tintara Vineyard in the Blewitt Springs subregion of McLaren Vale is central to their story. Ox’s winemaking experience spans four decades but today he focuses his energy crafting benchmark wines which showcase the terroir of his family’s iconic vineyard in Blewitt Springs. With one foot in the past, he honours his heritage with three unique expressions of estate grown Shiraz; and with the other foot in the future, he celebrates the versatility of the Vale, embracing emerging varieties that suit the changing climate, ensuring the legacy continues for his children’s children to enjoy.
20% discount (min. 12 bottles) use SPOC at check out Usual Suspects Wine Collective
Richard Hamilton Wines presented by Richard Hamilton (SHT 1963)
Pictured centre
Richard Hamilton was one of the most significant pioneers in the establishment of the South Australian wine industry. Landing in AD 1837, he presented a land order for 80 acres, and immediately set to planting South Australia’s first vines of Grenache, Shiraz and Pedro Ximinez on the bank of the Sturt River with the goal of producing the fledgling colony’s first wines.
Today his fifth-generation descendant and namesake Dr Richard Hamilton, continues the Hamilton family wine line of 187 years with a collection of distinguished vineyards in McLaren Vale including the Centurion Shiraz vines planted in 1892. This iconic vineyard stands as one of the oldest surviving vineyards in the McLaren Vale region if not Australia and indeed the new world. Richard Hamilton Wines are reflective of the distinctive McLaren Vale region with its Mediterranean climate.
Dr. Richard Hamilton, MB, BS. (Adelaide), FRACS (SHT 1963)
Dr Richard Hamilton is foremost a specialist plastic surgeon and a noted 5th generation Hamilton winemaker with roots dating back to AD 1837.
Richard grew up in Adelaide and having graduated in medicine from the University of Adelaide in 1970, devoted the next 3 years following his lifelong ambition to establish his own winery specialising in iconic quality small parcels of red and white table wines from his family’s vineyards in McLaren Vale.
In the following 12 years he trained in plastic surgery at internationally renowned centres in Sweden, New Zealand, Melbourne before returning to Adelaide to head the new plastic surgery unit at Flinders University. He managed to fit in every vintage during that period! Dr Richard Hamilton is the proprietor and emeritus winemaker of Richard Hamilton Wines at McLaren Vale and also the famous Leconfield Wines and Vineyards at Coonawarra which he took over from his late Uncle Sydney Hamilton in 1981, having now over 50 years winemaking experience. Richard continues to practice plastic surgery at his private clinic Hamilton House Plastic Surgery.
https://richardhamiltonwines.com/
Simon Tolley Wines presented by Simon Tolley (MAC 1991)
Pictured front, centre
Simon Tolley (MAC 1991) is a fifth-generation vigneron, specialised in classic Adelaide Hills cool climate wines. He has a great passion for producing high quality wines with minimum intervention. His extensive knowledge of grape-growing and tireless efforts can be tasted in his award-winning wines. The Tolley family have been involved with St Peter’s for almost a century, his recently graduated son Louis Tolley (MAC 2022) recently started studying winemaking and is on his way to become the 6th generation Tolley to be involved in the wine industry. Simon would like thank St. Peter’s College for the opportunity to be involved with St Peter’s Old Collegians’ Annual Dinner.
The Usual Suspects presented by Jonathon Hesketh (HWD 1985)
The Usual Suspects is a collective of premium South Australian wine Producers, whose individuality and independence is not only preserved, but strengthened by working together.
The collaboration allows each Producer to share the burden of everyday life, so they can focus on what they do best – making great wines sustainably, efficiently and without compromise.
The Collective is made up of Hesketh Wines, Parker Coonawarra Estate, Ox Hardy, Vickery Riesling, Barratt Wines and St John's Road Barossa - an eclectic and exceptional offering of South Australian premium wines from the classics to the cutting edge.
https://www.usualsuspects.wine/ 20% discount (min. 12 bottles) SPOC at checkout
Wines of Merritt presented by Nick James-Martin (FRR 1989)
Nick James-Martin (FRR 1989) comes from a farming background of four generations of grape-growers. He has been involved with the marketing & making of wine over the last 25 years in London, France & Australia.
His family moved to Margaret River from McLaren Vale a few years ago and set up their own drinks company, Wines of Merritt in 2017. They make low intervention wines and gin from slightly left of centre varieties and techniques. They’ve had great fun making the wines and enjoy seeing them on the shelves and lists of some of the country’s finer restaurants and retailers
Use ‘SPOC20’ on winesofmerritt.com.au for 20% savings on 6 bottles or more.
Wirra Wirra represented by Tom Simpson (DAC 2005)
The Wirra Wirra team are reminded of the 130-year-old winemaking legacy of Wirra Wirra daily, it’s soaked into the red brick floor and ironstone walls of the original cellar.
These walls now house a world-class small batch winemaking facility where parcels of McLaren Vale Shiraz, Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon are kept separate throughout the vinification process. Winemakers Emma Wood and Kelly Wellington specialise in the heritage varieties of McLaren Vale to allow focus on site expression and blending nuance to craft wines that are generous and elegant.
All white varieties are sourced from the neighbouring cool climate Adelaide Hills with a portfolio that includes complex and layered Chardonnays, a pristine Riesling and a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc.
Wirra Wirra has been family owned since its inception in 1894 and has a global reputation for the iconic Church Block blend and Flagship Collection of RSW Shiraz, The Angelus Cabernet Sauvignon and The Absconder Grenache. All estate vineyards are farmed organically and biodynamically and under the leadership of Matthew Deller MW Wirra Wirra has increased its offering of single vineyard and single block offerings.
The historic site in the heart of McLaren Vale is home to biodynamically farmed estate vineyards, a world-class winery, premium tasting room and Harry’s Deli restaurant, which features a seasonal menu showcasing local produce.
Use 24SPSC 20% Discount on wine purchases + free freight on dozen orders.
10% of sales will be donated back to the SPSC Foundation. https://wirrawirra.com/
Expressions of interest for future winemaker events held by SPOC or the School can be sent to Bianca Harms, Events & Administration Manager by email: spoc@stpeters.sa.edu.au
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