Buy a bottle of wine, help cancer research

Buy a bottle of very good McLaren Vale shiraz under a pink capsule during August and you'll help fund cancer research.

Mr. Riggs Wine Company has sponsored the Flinders Foundation, a South Australian organisation dedicated to supporting medical health research, for 19 years.

Proceeds from sales of the Mr Riggs 2023 The Gaffer Shiraz will again help raise funds for a cause close to winemaker Ben Riggs' heart.

Established in 1976, The Flinders Foundation is one of the leading medical health and research charities in South Australia - raising essential funds for medical research and patient care.

In August each year, Mr Riggs Wines run their Gaffer Month campaign with proceeds donated to the Flinders Foundation.

"We are incredibly proud to have raised over $250,000, which has gone towards a broad range of cancer research," Riggs said.

What about the wine? It's a big red, but well balanced, and paired very well with a home-made steak and kidney pie.

The fruit for the 2023 vintage was sourced from five vineyards; all in different sub-regions of McLaren Vale; from the warmest, earliest picked vineyards to the coolest, latest picked.

The parcels were matured in oak, 90% French and 10% American, and blended just before bottling. A very decent drop this; dark fruited and well balanced, for $25.

The name The Gaffer is a tribute to Riggs' great-great grandfather John "The Gaffer" Riggs (1814-1902).    

See https://mrriggs.com.au/

Exceptional vintage delivers a stellar flagship for Mr Riggs

 

It takes a special vintage in both McLaren Vale and Coonawarra for Ben Riggs to even consider releasing his flagship red wine Mr Riggs The Chap. 

The Chap is a classic Australian "claret" style - an Alpha blend of McLaren Vale shiraz (68%) and Coonawarra cabernet sauvignon (32%), that it is only made in years that Riggs considers exceptional. 

The 2020 vintage was one of those years - and Riggs has made just 912 bottles in total with 2020 joining 2012-2104 and 2016-2018 releases. 

Make no mistake, this is a big assertive wine with power and length, but it finishes with soft tannins, just as Riggs likes it. It's assertive but also elegant, with oak supporting but not overpowering. 

"This is a wine that can easily be cellared for 1-20 years," Riggs says. "I love the long fine-grained tannins and the powerful structure."

Not a wine for everyday drinking with its $120 price tag, but certainly a wine for a special occasion. 

Everything says "Look at Me". There's a heavy bottle, wax and quality cork. On the plate are rich, blackcurrant plum, spice and earthiness

The fruit is a combo of shiraz from Riggs' own Piebald Gully vineyard in McLaren Vale, and the Weatherall vineyards in Coonawarra. 

See www.mrriggs.com.au for more info.       

Buy a bottle of wine; do some good

So you like your red wines big, bold and in your face?

You favour the idea of buying a wine that is designed to do some good? 

Sales of Mr Riggs The Gaffer Shiraz have so far helped raise over $220,000 for cancer research. 

The 2022 vintage - now on sale with its eye-catching pink capsule and label sticker - costs $25 a bottle and Mr. Riggs Wine Co. runs its annual Gaffer Month campaign in August, donating proceeds of The Gaffer Shiraz to The Flinders Foundation. 

Now in its 18th year, the pink cap that gives back offers trade incentives to encourage people to support the worthy cause.

The Gaffer is a tribute to Ben Riggs’ great-great-grandfather, John ‘The Gaffer’ Riggs (1814-1902), one of South Australia’s most renowned farmers. 

Since 2006, The Gaffer Shiraz has worn its pink capsule to acknowledge the partnership with the Flinders Foundation and its fight against cancer. 

The fruit is sourced from five vineyards and is matured to oak, 90% French and 10% American. It is then blended just before bottling. 

It is not a shy wine; it packs a punch in more ways than one.

New release a tribute to winemaker's Mum

Experienced winemaker Ben Riggs usually makes wines for his Mr Riggs label that suit his own palate.

For one recent release he's made an exception, however, eschewing his beloved McLaren Vale to make an impressive Adelaide Hills pinot noir for one special person: his mother.

The $35 Mr Riggs Valerie Pinot Noir honours his mother Valerie, the Matriarch of the Riggs family, pictured above.

The name Valerie is of French origin meaning ‘strong, brave, valiant’.

"My mother is over 90 years old and still going strong," says Riggs. "She sees the positive in most things in life, has perhaps kept her youthful."

With over four decades of winemaking experience, the former Wirra Wirra chief winemaker started his own label in 2001 and has a reputation for bold, flavoursome reds.  

 

The 2023 Pinot Noir (above) is part of the Mr Riggs Regional Series and is made from fruit grown on a Woodside vineyard: a cool-climate site planted on heavy clay.

Due to the cooler vintage, the fruit was picked in late April, in the early hours of the morning to help maintain natural acidity. The grapes were crushed directly into open fermenters, with 15% kept as whole bunch to add texture and complexity as well as a little bit of tannin weight.

Pair it with roast chicken or a ripe, soft French cheese, where something a little magical happens.

It is bright, aromatic and very food friendly. I liked it a lot. 

$35. https://mrriggs.com.au/ 

Meet a wine brand doing its bit for cancer research

Enjoy a glass or two of wine in August and you can and help a worthy cause.

For the full month, McLaren Vale wine brand Mr. Riggs will be running its annual Gaffer Month campaign and donating proceeds from sales of The Gaffer Shiraz to The Flinders Foundation.

Now in its 17th year, the wine stands out with its pink cap, and Mr Riggs will offer wine trade members incentives to boost sales - and donations.

"We are incredibly proud to have raised over $200,000, which has gone towards a broad range of cancer research." Ben Riggs, Mr. Riggs' founder and winemaker, says.

"We are grateful for our customers' support in achieving this milestone. This cause is very close to our hearts, and The Flinders Foundation is a worthy recipient of our donation."

Established in 1976, The Flinders Foundation is one of Australia's leading medical health and research charities, raising essential funds to support cancer research and patient care.

Mr. Riggs supports the organisation's annual gala dinner, the Pink Yellow Blue Ball, as well as by holding Gaffer Month.

"This is an important month to raise funds for cancer research,” said Ross Verschoor, executive director of the Flinders Foundation.

“The Flinders Foundation’s work is often led by the stories we share about people, and the partnership between Mr. Riggs and the Flinders Foundation started with a story about a person affected by cancer, and through this partnership, we are honouring that legacy.”

In addition to The Gaffer Shiraz, the 2022 Woodside Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc and the 2022 Watervale Riesling are also available for reduced wholesale purchase, with proceeds donated to The Flinders Foundation.

The shiraz is $20 a bottle online, with half bottles for $10.40.

See https://mrriggs.com.au/ for full details.