Owners of Penfolds wines which are 15 years and older have the opportunity to have their wines assessed by a winemaker, and, if necessary, opened, tasted, topped-up and re-capsuled on the spot.

Reflecting on the clinics, Chief Winemaker Peter Gago notes "We've always called this 'the ultimate in after sales service'. To think that during this time nearly 50,000 bottles of 15 years and older Penfolds wine have been lovingly inspected, opened, tasted and topped to ensure their prolonged cellar development and optimum drinking is just remarkable, and something that no other wine company in the world is prepared to offer its consumers." The Clinics provide the opportunity for owners of Penfolds wines 15 years and older to come to the appointed venue and have the condition of their wines assessed by Penfolds winemakers. The service is free.

Bottles with low levels (where the wine has dropped into the 'shoulder' of the bottle, a condition called ullage) may be opened and tasted. Owners, many of whom have carefully cellared and tended to the wines for 15 years and more, get the chance to taste the rewards of their patience. If the wine is judged to be in good condition it is topped up with a more recent vintage of the same wine, recorked, and a Clinic back label is affixed, certifying the wine for quality.

For the Australian clinics, the back label is signed by the winemaker and endorsed by Langtons, the leading Australian wine auction company.

Visit www.penfolds.com.au/appreciation/