October 18 2016 saw Penfolds unveil its collaboration with Europe’s most respected French glassmaker, Saint Louis, to a global audience at a gala event held at Penfolds South Australian spiritual home of Magill Estate. The two have teamed up to create a distinctive hand-made crystal d’art service vessel entitled the Penfolds Aevum Imperial Service Ritual. This marks the first time Saint-Louis, has collaborated with a global brand outside of Europe since its establishment in 1586.

The vessel has been designed exclusively for the 2012 Grange Imperial, facilitating the perfect pour and respecting every drop in a ceremonious way. After painstaking hours of crafting and refining the piece, the result is a statuesque design that reflects the incredible craftsmanship of Saint-Louis whilst embodying Penfolds’ innovative and experimental nature.

Of the collaboration, Jérôme de Lavergnolle, Chief Executive Officer of Saint-Louis, said, “When talent, heritage and know how come together, the journey from craft to ritual can be truly extraordinary. The collaboration between Penfolds and Saint-Louis represents a marriage of two masters of their crafts. This is the first time something of this calibre has taken place and the first time that we have collaborated with a winemaker at this level.”

Peter Gago, Penfolds Chief Winemaker, said, “Care, double decanting and ceremony is woven into the fabric of Penfolds and transcends the ordinary. The elevation of the service ritual by way of the Penfolds Aevum Imperial Service Ritual enhances the enjoyment of Grange to release aromas and flavours through aeration, and importantly delivers an unforgettable visual experience and sense of occasion,”

The collaboration also celebrates the first commercial release of just five 2012 Grange Imperial 6 litre bottles available worldwide. As further part of the collaboration, limited edition smaller sculptured Penfolds Aevum Crystal Decanters have been released to accompany the 750ml 2012 Grange.

 

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