Summer 2011

Season's Greetings!

Anna Skeer our Cellar Door Manager with a celebratory glass of sparkling white in hand wishes, on behalf of the Rymill Coonawarra team, you and your family a very happy festive season and a wonderful New Year. The cellar door team are all geared up for the busiest time of their year and have a heap of great gift ideas including dressing up the Yearlings in a festive two pack, delicious Rymill Coonawarra Sparkling White and other great Rymill Coonawarra wines. Call Cellar Door on 08 8736 5001 if you would like some last minute help with your Christmas present list and they will be more than happy to help.

Serious historical detective work needed
to solve 147 year old mystery

Forty-five years ago Peter Rymill found a fascinating unsigned manuscript dated 1863 listed in a Sydney book dealer's catalogue giving account of a journey through our region to stop the rebellious south-easterners from seceding and forming their own state. The first thing that he needed to do was solve the mystery: who was the writer? After some serious historical detective work Peter discovered that the writer was in fact William Milne, the South Australian Commissioner of Public Works. He then edited, annotated and published the work which was eventually launched on Friday 3 December 2010. William Milne's diary Notes of a Journey to the South Eastern District in January 1863 is a fascinating account of Milne's twenty eight day journey in the South East of South Australia during a time of secessionism and serious political trouble. The inhabitants were not pleased that only one quarter of government revenue raised in the district was being spent on much needed capital works in the area, and were planning to join forces with the Western District of Victoria to form a new state to be called Princeland. William Milne was sent by Premier George Waterhouse to fix the problem, which he did. He was able to secure major expenditure for roads and infrastructure including a new Post Office, Gaol and Courthouse in Mount Gambier. The book's foreword by the former Premier of South Australia, Hon Dr John Bannon AO, describes William Milne as '...an enlightened pioneer' and the South Eastern region as '...an inspirational settler community.' The book is available to purchase for $15 from cellar door. The story has also been serialised by our Local ABC, click here to hear the audio version of the diary.

Gold Medal & 94 points from Halliday

We are thrilled with the reception that the newly released Rymill Coonawarra 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon has received. The wine was awarded a gold medal at the 2010 Limestone Coast Wine Show winning in a stellar class, one of only three gold's, alongside the 2008 Wynns Coonawarra John Riddoch and 2008 St. Hugo. Plus James Halliday has just awarded the wine 94 points! We believe it is a wonderful example of Coonawarra Cabernet and it shows off the fruit-driven nature of our wines. There is only a limited quantity available so visit your local wine retail outlets or order directly through cellar door.

Vineyard Update

Michael Gruetzner and John Rymill checking out the Shiraz vines with Reg - The vineyards are looking a treat with a great spring in Coonawarra. It was frost free and we had perfect warm November weather for flowering. These great conditions allowed successful pollination which means that we had a good berry set. The berries are now developing nicely with the December rains keeping the ground moist.

A new Yearling

The Yearling Stable has a new member, the just released 2009 Yearling Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is fresh and stays true to its youthful style with wafts of blackberry and mint. The finish is deliciously refreshing. It's perfect to enjoy with yum cha or Mediterranean inspired food. It joins the delicious 2010 Sauvignon Blanc and the vibrant 2009 Shiraz. Keep an eye out for the trio in their new packaging. Dan Murphy thought that they looked so snazzy that they asked us to do a limited number of special two-packs. We also think they look fab and the cartons make it even easier to identify your favourite variety!

Special Sales Offer - Reg's Festive Six-Pack

To celebrate the festive season Reg, our resident Wine Dogs star, has put together a special six pack that will be sure to help make any festive summer occasion special.

2 x 2008 Rymill Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, Gold Medal
(94 points James Halliday)
2 x 2006 Rymill Coonawarra Sparkling White
(90 points James Halliday)
2 x 2010 The Yearling Sauvignon Blanc
(90 points James Halliday)
Free 2011 Wine Dogs calendar for the first 20 orders (RRP $29.95)

$110 Plus FREE Freight Australia wide. That's an average saving of 20%. Just indicate on the order form how many packs you would like on the order. Offer is valid until January 31st 2011. Purchase now

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our Senior Winemaker Sandrine Gimon and Jordan Bartlett who have announced their engagement. We wish you both a lifetime of love & happiness.

Congratulations also to Amelia Anderson, our Assistant Winemaker, who married Ben Wood in Robe on Saturday 20 November. There is definitely love in the air in the winemaker's office.

Up & Coming Events

The 30th Annual Coonawarra Cup will be held on 13 January 2011. Each year the Penola Racecourse forms the stunning backdrop for this fun event. As the sponsor of the Cup, the Coonawarra Vignerons Association plays host to 700 guests in its marquee with Coonawarra wine flowing, wonderful cuisine and plenty of good cheer. Over 3000 racegoers attend the fun-filled day. Why not add the Cup to your summer diary? For more information visit www.coonawarra.org

The Buzz

In October the Cabernet Weekend and Mary MacKillop Canonisation Celebrations made for a fantastic weekend in Coonawarra and Penola. We hosted the Cabernet Sauvignon Master Class led by James Halliday which featured the legendary 1963 Mildara Peppermint Pattie in the Rymill Coonawarra barrel shed. Everyone then enjoyed the dinner and Barrel Series Auction at Wynns and had lots of fun on Sunday morning at our Bee's Knees Brunch.

Images:

The stellar line-up of wines for the Master Class.
The Master Class tasting panel of James Halliday, Greg Clayfield & Rebecca Leung.
Lisa and Michael Gruetzner enjoying the dinner and auction.
Our guests Scott & Kristy DeBruin.
Pony rides Sunday morning at The Bee's Knees Brunch.
Face painting for the young at heart.

Rymill Coonawarra Christmas Party

On Friday at the winery we enjoyed the company of an eclectic mix of Coonawarra and south-east friends to celebrate 2010 and Christmas.