Friday Night Footy with Pepperjack
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Friday Night Footy is back – and with Pepperjack, it’s better than ever
Pepperjack is back as the Official Wine of the AFL, proudly pairing Australia’s #1 game with Australia’s #1 Shiraz for the third year-in-a-row. Pepperjack has been named the Official Wine of the AFL.*
The 2024 season is already gearing up to be an absolute cracker – so whether you’re cheering from the stands or from the couch, no winter Friday night is complete without footy and a glass of delicious red wine.
As the official wine of the season, Pepperjack will take centre stage in round four as Gather Round returns for a South Australian showcase. Across four days, games will take place across various locations in and around Adelaide, allowing revellers to experience the home of Pepperjack in all of its wine and sporting glory.
Melbourne Captain Max Gawn also returns as Pepperjack’s official ambassador off the back of a great 2023 partnership.
“I’m so excited to be pairing two of my favourite things, footy and wine, thanks to Pepperjack. Bold and honest just like the Dees, it is my guest of choice for any occasion.” Gawn said. “It’s a well-known crowd favourite and always goes down well with footy, friends or a night in with my family. My go-to would have to be the Barossa Shiraz.”
We’re also pleased to announce that former AFL star and Carlton FC legend Dylan Buckley is back for a third season of ‘Friday Knock Offs’. The show brings a range of different guests on each episode for a Friday night ‘knock off’ joined by casual conversations about footy and life.
Friday Night Footy is something we all love dearly here at CellarDoor.co HQ with each of us having our own particular traditions and rituals. With Pepperjack returning as the official wine of the AFL, we thought we’d reach out to a few members of the Pepperjack family to find out how they celebrate this nationally treasured weekly event.
Richard Mattner – Pepperjack Head Winemaker
“I’m a Carlton supporter (go the Blues!) and I love it when they’re playing on a Friday night – there’s no better slot. We’ll gather some friends together, get the BBQ going and turn the evening into a bit of a soirée. If I’m hosting, we’re sure to be serving up medium-rare porterhouse steaks with either pepper gravy or a red wine jus, plus all the trimmings like jacket potatoes and charred broccolini. McLaren Vale Barossa Grenache 2021 is also on the table; it’s plush, juicy and full of flavour – a real crowd pleaser. Fingers crossed Carlton put a few more wins on the board this season! Friday Night Footy…is there anything better than that?!”
Chrystie Sheppard – Saltram Cellar Door Manager
“Unlike many of the folk around here, I support one of the local teams – come on Port Power! If I was to describe my typical Friday night during footy season, I’d have to start with mentioning Langhorne Creek Grenache Rosé 2021. It’s a consistent feature whether before the game, or to celebrate a win, and is all around fun and vibrant. We often have the outdoor fire pit going too, with the big screen on and a drinks table set up with Pepperjack wines. Guests always love the straight Barossa Shiraz 2022, but are regularly tickled by the Malbec 2020 too. What I really love though is the banter and the in-house ‘expert’ commentary that ensues from the family. Friday nights are just the best.”
Scott Liddell – Head Chef – Salters Kitchen
“Along with Richard, I support the Blues, which is probably why we get along so well. If everything is running to plan, my ideal Friday night generally involves getting the kids to bed by 6:45pm, firing up the grill with a glass of Langhorne Creek Grenache Rosé 2021 in hand, eventually setting myself up with a porterhouse and a glass of Graded Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2021 from Langhorne Creek, and watching Carlton scream ahead in the final quarter to win by six goals! I normally only start popping corks of Barossa Valley Sparkling Shiraz NV when it’s Finals time, but truth be told, if everything goes to plan like I’ve just laid out – well that’s a good enough excuse as any I reckon.”
*IRI Liquor MarketEdge Data MAT to 01/08/2021.