Pepper Tree Wines Limited Release ‘Tallawanta’ Semillon 2013 has won the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Semillon Wine of the Year.
For over 30 years Pepper Tree Wines has worked tirelessly to be a beacon of quality in the heart of Hunter wine country. The region has built its internationally recognised reputation as the soul of Semillon wine growing. “To win this award, given the calibre of winemakers in the region, is humbling,” says vigneron and owner John Davis.
“This is recognition for the time, effort, care and responsibility that so many of our team have committed to over many years.”
The 2013 Pepper Tree Wines Limited Release ‘Tallawanta’ Semillon was made by Jim Chatto and was from his second last vintage with Pepper Tree until 2022 when he once again joined the team in a consulting capacity.
John Davis purchased Pepper Tree Wines in 2002, achieving his objective of matching his vineyards with a winery of equal quality. Having achieved success as a geologist, John used this experience and knowledge to purchase a collection of diverse vineyards in Orange, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra and his home vineyard Mount View.
The heritage listed Tallawanta vineyard, sitting behind Harrigan’s Hotel, is well known for Shiraz, having been planted around 100 years ago by the Elliot family. Semillon is a more recent addition, with plantings on this north facing vineyard, taking place in the mid 1990s.
The 2013 vintage in the Hunter Valley experienced an early start, with the grapes from this famed vineyard picked on January 14. With the warmer than average weather, vintage was frantic with red varieties reaching the winery right on the back of the whites. The Semillon was classic Hunter Valley, with balance, poise, drive and length. At ten years of age, it is a wine with a long future.
“This is a wine that is close to perfection,” says John. “It is a combination of vintage, vineyard, and winegrowing, and continues to excite us as it matures and develops. Winning this accolade is a lovely tribute to the Pepper Tree team. It is a fitting acknowledgement to Jim joining our winemaker Nick Kruger as we work towards building the winery’s reputation as one of the Australia’s leading winegrowers.”
The 2013 Pepper Tree Wines Limited Release ‘Tallawanta’ Semillon will be available for tasting at the Halliday ‘Taste the Awards’ consumer event in Melbourne on 3rd August.
Pricing & distribution: Pepper Tree Wines are distributed nationally by Pure Wine Co. and are available via peppertreewines.com.au
2013 Pepper Tree Wines Limited Release ‘Tallawanta’ Semillon (Hunter Valley) $130
For further information, samples or images please contact:
- David Cumming at Define Wine Marketing & Communications: 0414 736 342 or david@definewine.com.au
- Michelle Preece at Pepper Tree Wines on 02 4909 7100 or michellep@peppertreewines.com.au
Pepper Tree Wines was founded in 1991 with a focus making wine from the Hunter Valley. Today the roots run deep for owner John Davis, with vineyard sites in four premium wine growing regions across Australia, including Orange, Wrattonbully, Coonawarra, and their historic home vineyards in the Hunter Valley.