Number 24 - June 2007
SHIRAZ HAT TRICK
With three national “Best
Boutique Shiraz” gongs in
a row for Mr Riggs and
Penny’s Hill, our team
should take a bow for
outstanding viticulture and
exceptional winemaking.
Announced recently at a gala dinner
in Sydney, Penny’s Hill McLaren Vale
Shiraz 2005 was named Australia’s
Best Boutique Shiraz, and was the
highest scored wine of the national
Boutique Show.
In what Chairman of Judges, Huon
Hooke, described as the largest and
most impressive class of the awards,
almost 200 wines were entered. Of six
Gold Medals awarded, four came the
way of McLaren Vale.
The success for 2005 Shiraz follows
that of the 2004 Penny’s Hill “Bushing
King” winner, which in addition to
Best Boutique Shiraz, was crowned
Australia’s Best Boutique Wine.
And in 2005, Mr Riggs Shiraz
Viognier 2004 claimed the
first wicket.
High praise to our viticultural
groundsmen, David Paxton
and Toby Bekkers, and
more red dot balls for Ben
Riggs and his outstanding
winemaking team.
The wine: it’s everything
a classic McLaren Vale
Shiraz should be. Great
colour, full body, spice,
pepper and ripe fruit in
ample evidence and a lean
and luscious pitch-length
palate. Now at cellars and
still under $30.
L-R Melissa, Kath, Kirsten, Jeanette and Karen ‘sunnies on’ at Sea & Vines 2007
Parky and Boutique wine judge, Gary Baldwin, (left),
enjoy the Penny’s Hill Shiraz success
SEA & VINES
Yet another big turn out with record
numbers and the mandatory rain
showers, Sea & Vines 2007 saw longcoated soul master, Dwight Adams
notch up his sixth straight appearance,
alternating with exciting new, loud
and original band, “Former Child
Stars”, a gaggle of local lads about
to become famous.
Mary Katsarelias wins Dwight Adams CD from Parky Sea & Vines 2007
Baptism of fire for many of our
hardworking staff, S&V was another
triumph for Kym Pilkington,
organiser supreme, and new Front of
House, James Spreadbury. Chef Ben
Sommariva and his tireless crew
performed minor miracles as more
than 1500 serves changed hands.
Well done gang!
Leanne and Shelley - Sea & Vines 2007
Wine wise, the featured drop was Mr
Riggs “The Gaffer” wearing its bright
pink cap to mark our association with
research into Breast Cancer. The plan
is to raise $30,000 to go direct to
important research into this vital cause.
Almost Famous! - Former Child Stars
IN THE PINK
Bond and Bond girl, Luke Smith and
Elyse Hillier welcomed guests to the
recent launch of the Pink Ribbon Ball.
Kym Pilkington, Ben and Annie
Riggs and Dale Wyman flew the
flag for Mr Riggs “The Gaffer”
and our contribution to Breast
Cancer Research.
Pink Ribbon Ball launch - Bond and Bond girl!
POLICE ESCORT
Wearing their best Penny’s Hill kit,
Parky and mate, Lyn Punshon rallied
for three days in Italy, on the famed
Mille Miglia Road Race (May 17-20).
Covering 1,000 miles from Brescia to
Rome and back, Parky’s 1955 Austin
Healey 100S completed the course
with few troubles in near perfect
weather, passing through Italy’s
wonderful pageant of history and
places; San Marino, Assisi, Florence,
Bologna, Modena. Past the Colisseum,
flat out behind a police escort across
Rome, down cobbled village alleys,
through golden grain fields, up
twisting mountain passes, the event
was a snapshot of Italy’s amazing
culture and countryside. Support party
included Lyn’s wife, Sue, and David
Paxton and Ang Tolley, also on route
to London to talk up wine business.
Old pilots, old car! - Mille Miglia 2007
FAIR LONDON
Working apace, Sophie Hislop, Ben
Riggs, Zar Brooks and Parky talked
thousands of wine words at London
Wine Trade Fair in cohoots with UK
Penny’s Hill distributors (Hallgarten)
and newly appointed Mr Riggs
representatives, HwCg.
A diversion to awesome fancy dress
extravaganza organised by friend,
Rollo Gabb, at Stanley Hall in
Shropshire, saw our intrepid team
ranged up as a Mr Skinhead, Cardinal
Brooks, Japan’s answer to Elle, and
Fangio. What happens on tour......
Group then dispersed to Oz, Ireland
and Scandanavia with Parky running
around the bars and restaurants of
London with Hallgarten and Michael
Druitt Vintners team, Tim Bartley,
Rupert Bairamian, Adrian Needham
and Berard Nichols before meeting
ebullient Epicurean Sales Manager,
Robert Carter, in Seattle on way home.
finished with espresso vinaigrette.
Huey was impressed and Ben’s recipe
aired on national TV on July 10th.
Wines to arouse most interest:
Penny’s Hill Shiraz, Chardonnay
and Vintage Fortified.
Besides TV appearances, Ben’s
influence sees our Restaurant as a
Finalist in the South Australian
Annual Restaurant & Catering
Awards for Excellence. Go Ben and
team. Another great achievement.
Mr Skinhead and M’lord Rollo the Gabb at Stanley Hall
JOB LOT
On a personnel note, Tania Yarra,
long-serving bean counter, has taken
up new challenges. Tina Coventry,
short-serving finance controller is
heading back to Melbourne as
husband, Brett, grabs new career
move, and carrot-topped footy tipping
genius, Jared Shattock has upped a
gear to take on duties at Hardy’s
Wines. On the incoming team are
James Spreadbury who has slipped
effortlessly into Front of House duties,
Brett Ashley, new assistant chef
and hospitality additions, Chad
Fenton-Smith, Caroline Burns
and Judy Grindle. And into
administration come Chelsea Knight
and Sue Burton. Thanks to the
leavers for great input and welcome
the new faces!
Huey and Ben before the camera
FOOD PROSE PRIZE
The top student in the University of
Adelaide’s Graduate Certificate in
Food Writing will now win the
prestigious “Penny’s Hill/Adelaide
Review Prize for Food Writing”.
Organized by Barbara Santich,
passionate regional foods champion,
and Program Manager of the
University’s Le Cordon Bleu
Graduate Program in Gastronomy and
Nicholas Jose, Professor of Creative
Writing, the Food Writing Prize is
another example of our strong support
for arts in SA adding to our
sponsorship of the Art Gallery,
Festival Centre and Fleurieu Biennale.
We will also feature extracts of the
winner’s copy in our restaurant once
the Prize is announced on July 30th.
James Spreadbury - the new face of Penny’s Hill
SMALL SCREEN SERVE
Recent visit to McLaren Vale by icon
TV cook, Iain Hewitson, saw Ben
Sommariva showing off his signature
crisp-skin duck breast served on a
warm winter salad of pumpkin, chorizo,
green peas, watercress and radiccio
Telephone: (08) 8556 4460
Fax: (08) 8556 4462
Mobile: (08) 0408 805518
Functions and Catering
Telephone: (08) 8556 4000
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.PennysHill.com.au
CELLARS OPEN 10am-5pm - 7 DAYS.