September 2010.
To all Simply Shiraz Members,

The Simply Shiraz Group, created for the purpose of sourcing and buying premium grapes from a Mudgee grower and making the wine locally. This is a fun exercise with us all enjoying and sharing the "effort" to create a premium wine - as well as sharing in the rewards as the wine matures. The purpose of this document is to ensure we each understand our obligations to other members as well as equally having the risk. The wine produced is for the exclusive use of the members of the syndicate. We may submit the wine for wine show tasting(s).

The syndicate will comprise a number of "shares"; (a member can own one or more) the organisers of the syndicate will purchase premium Shiraz grapes. Each member will pay $150.00 per annum, per "share". In addition, for each share, the member will equally contribute to the cost of buying, picking, and shipping the grapes and all costs to produce, store, bottle and label the wines as well as any other costs that are incurred. To minimise the impact of potential variation in costs each year the costs for these elements has been set at $600.00 per annum. In return, one share will give each member six dozen bottles of wine.

The syndicate or ‘share’ will comprise two elements

a) A basic fee of $150 will reserve sufficient vines/grapes to create 72 bottles of premium Shiraz.

b) The main charge for the fruit of $600 representing vineyard work, picking and winemaking. This presents the best possible wine and provides each member with 72 bottles at a wholesale price.

A percentage of each vintage will be held back and released at a later date and at a higher premium.

Each member must purchase a minimum of one share and may purchase more. Each member may withdraw at the end of a year's contribution (i.e. after the "end" of a vintage, see below). If a member wishes to withdraw before the end of a period, they will forfeit their contributions for that year. The terms "member" and "share" are interchangeable.

Based on the estimate of the total costs for purchase, processing and bottling of grapes to produce 72 bottles (six cases) the total cost of membership has been set at

$750.00 comprising $150.00 membership fee and $600.00 for the balance of the processing fee. Due dates for payment will be:

$150.00 on joining and then on 1st July each year thereafter

$300 on the 1st October each year and $300 on the 1st March each year

Any individual may join at any time during the vintage but membership will only be accepted if there is sufficient wine to meet demand. Otherwise membership will be deferred until the following vintage.

All amounts will be due within 60 days. A member may forfeit membership for late submission of fees.

Contributions will be made by credit card and, with authority, can be deducted on the due dates of fees.

It is intended that the syndicate purchase premium Shiraz grapes in Mudgee. Major purchasers of grapes refer to these as S1 or R1 or just super premium. The syndicate is expected to purchase the grapes at "fair market price" for equivalent premium grapes in the area.

The organisers of the syndicate will, on behalf of the members, source premium grapes and select a highly respected wine maker in the region. We will produce a premium Mudgee Shiraz (Simply Shiraz). In the event, however, of a member feeling that their wine is not of a suitable quality then the opinion of the Mudgee Grape Growers association will be sought to determine if the wine is suitable. If the wine is corked when purchased, however, it will be replaced.

To apply for membership please click on the icon to download, print and fax back the Membership Application Form (PDF 56 kb)
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