Penfolds announces Opera House link-up

Penfolds has used the launch of its 2015 collection to announce a new partnership with London’s Royal Opera House.

Penfolds’ Collection 2015 includes only the sixth 100% Shiraz Grange since the flagship wine was introduced in 1951 (Photo: Penfolds)

The launch of the Australian winery’s 2015 range, held at London’s Somerset House, also marked the global release of a new Penfolds promotional short film, The Story of Grange, narrated by film actor Russell Crowe.

Penfolds’ full range will now be available throughout the Royal Opera House’s bars and restaurants. The company also plans to co-host a series of behind-the-scenes masterclasses at the British opera institution throughout the year.

“We are delighted to be announcing our new collaboration with Penfolds,” said Alex Beard, chief executive of the Royal Opera House.

“We have a rich history and heritage, yet we are always striving to innovate and develop our art forms. The work on our stages is renowned for world-class excellence and our backstage skills and crafts show mastery at the very highest levels.

“These attributes are shared with Penfolds so it seems a perfectly natural fit for us to be working together.”

The Story of Grange is a short film telling the tale of how former chief winemaker Max Schubert created Grange, which since its first experimental release in 1951 has become one of Australia’s most iconic wines.

Set in the 1950s, the film is narrated by Russell Crowe, directed by Nic Benns of London film studio Momoco and features an original musical score by David Hirschfelder, one of Australia’s leading screen composers.

Penfolds chief winemaker Peter Gago said: “The story of Grange is now one of almost mythical status, but the winemaking philosophy behind it remains faithful to that established by Max in 1951.

“Whilst we continue to endeavour to take the wines to the next level via vineyard improvement and winemaking refinement, Max’s blueprint is indelibly stamped and respected.”

The Story of Grange can be downloaded at www.penfolds.com.

The 2015 Collection is led by the 61st consecutive release of Penfolds’ 2011 Grange – only the sixth Grange since the experimental 1951 vintage to be 100% Shiraz.

This year’s Collection spans five vintages across 20 individual wines, including Penfolds’ prestige Yattarna Chardonnay, St Henri Shiraz and Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz (also known as ‘Baby Grange’).

Highlights from this year’s range include the 2013 Kalimna Bin 28 Shiraz, which celebrates its 55th consecutive release; the 2013 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon which for the first time is made predominantly from Adelaide Hills fruit; and the 2014 Bin 311 Tumbarumba Chardonnay, which celebrates its 10th consecutive release.

Gago said: “This year’s collection again reminds our winemaking team of the magic and unknowns of wine. Our 2013 reds have significantly transformed in bottle – grown, complexed, fattened – call it what you will. These wines make us smile and remind us of why we do what we do.”