The Australian Platypus Conservancy

The platypus is one of the most remarkable animals in the world.  Although the species is still officially regarded as common, surprisingly little is actually known about the size and distribution of platypus populations in most areas of Australia.

The Australian Platypus Conservancy, in cooperation with other organisations, has initiated the Platypus Care project, to collect vital information about the status of the platypus, which includes mapping where platypus occur in river systems. 

THE WINE SOCIETY YOUNG WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
SOMMELIERS CHOICE AWARD 2009 - JEN PFEIFFER, PFEIFFER WINES

Jen Pfeiffer, winemaker for her small, family owned, Rutherglen winery, Pfeiffer Wines, has won The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year Sommeliers Choice Award.  The Awards dinner was held at The Westin Grand Ballroom in Sydney on Friday 20th November 2009.  Jen was awarded the title from a field of 10 finalists, selected from a pool of the very finest young winemakers from across Australia and New Zealand.

Jen Pfeiffer has been named one of the top 10 young winemakers in Australia and New Zealand. 

Jen is one of only two female finalists vying for the prestigious The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year 2009.  Only two Victorian winemakers have been selected in the strong field of 10, which also includes two New Zealanders.

The Wine Society awards, which began in 2001, recognise excellence in young winemakers and profile the best young wine making talents Australia and New Zealand have to offer. 

The Wine Society announcement adds to an impressive list of accolades for the talented 30 year old.  She has previously been a two time finalist of the Young Winemaker of the Year and has had a remarkable 12 months.  In this time she has collected trophies for the Best Unwooded White Wine of the Victorian Wines Show with her 2007 Pfeiffer Riesling, Best Victorian White Wine of the Ballarat Wine Show with her 2008 Pfeiffer Chardonnay, Best Dessert Wine of the Brisbane Fine Wine Show with her Pfeiffer Classic Rutherglen Topaque, Most Successful Exhibitor of the Ballarat Wine Show and has also earned her family winery a 5 star rating in the 2010 James Halliday Wine Companion.

Jen Pfeiffer was just four when her family purchased the historic Old Distillery winery in Rutherglen.  She grew up under the watchful eye of her father, Chris, himself an eminent figure in the industry.  She has just finished her 9th vintage as winemaker at Pfeiffer Wines and has also completed vintages in France and Portugal.

The winner of The Wine Society Young Winemaker of the Year will be announced on November 20, at a gala black tie dinner to be held in Sydney. 

HISTORY IN THE MAKING AT PFEIFFER WINES

When Christine Wilks and Maryanne Gillespie wandered into our cellar door on Easter Saturday, little did they know, they were about to become a part of history.  Christine (pictured here with her friend Maryanne) actually purchased the world’s first ever bottle of Topaque.  She also etched herself in Pfeiffer “pfolklore” by purchasing our very last bottle of Pfeiffer Rutherglen Tokay!