The staggering amount Carlton Blues' elite spent at Penfolds winery for AFL Gather Round in Adelaide

Revealed: The STAGGERING amount Carlton’s top brass and richest backers spent at famous Aussie winery Penfolds as they snapped up Grange Hermitage and other upmarket drops

  • Blues hold incredible lunch at Penfolds  
  • $1million of wine was purchased
  • Part of exclusive business network 

Carlton have long been seen as one of the most blue-chip clubs in the AFL, and they lived up to that reputation in Adelaide for Gather Round as they spent a staggering $1million on a corporate lunch. 

The role call of billionaires and millionaires who have been involved in the club at board or corporate level is unrivalled, and that continues with their exclusive ‘Carlton IN Business Network (CIB)’, which is sponsored by Virgin Australia and prestigious winemaker, Penfolds. 

Having signed a rich three-year deal with the Adelaide-based winery, which famously delivers the iconic Grange Hermitage that retails between $550-900 depending on the vintage, the club arranged for two plane loads of their wealthy CIB members to head over the border.

And they marked the occasion with ‘a least a million’ dollars worth of Penfolds wine, according to The Age. 

Blues CEO Brian Cook said the silver-spoon club organised for 260 people to travel over to the City of Churches for the megabucks lunch at the winery in Adelaide’s exclusive eastern suburbs. 

Carlton CEO Brian Cook confirmed $1million worth of wine had been purchased at the club's megabucks lunch at the iconic Adelaide winery

Carlton CEO Brian Cook confirmed $1million worth of wine had been purchased at the club’s megabucks lunch at the iconic Adelaide winery

They chartered two flights with partner Virgin Australia to fly the coterie group of prominent businesspeople and club backers, and purchased $1million worth of wines – which equates to a staggering $4000 per person. 

It was more than the money Penfolds contributed in the sponsorship, and highlights the astonishing wealth involved in the club.

Cook, president Luke Sayers, club legend and board member Greg ‘Diesel’ Williams hosted the lavish lunch for the 160 companies who make up the CIB, which the club says has acquired over $55million in business. 

They wined and dined the club’s elite, which Cook said proved they had ‘the largest business network in a sporting club in Australia’, at the winery’s stunning restaurant, where the menu starts at $245 per person. 

Given membership to the CIB costs $12,100, it’s quite the blue-chip club.

The Blues also hosted another fancy soiree for Gather Round, holding a luncheon at the SkyCity Casino with Premier Peter Malinauskas a guest alongside a host of club legends and prominent businesspeople. 

Blues skipper Patrick Cripps has led his side to a reversal in fortunes on the field after a dismal two decades

Blues skipper Patrick Cripps has led his side to a reversal in fortunes on the field after a dismal two decades

Last year Carlton declared a comprehensive profit of $17million on revenue of $92million – $20million of which comes from the club’s pokies. 

And finally, after two decades of pain, the Blues are starting to somewhat turn it around in the place where fans most want to see success: the footy field. 

Though Patrick Cripps’ men were humbled by the Crows to the tune of 56 points to kick off Gather Round, it was their first loss in a season that’s already seen them beat the reigning premiers, Geelong. 

Very winnable matches against the Saints and Eagles are coming up for Carlton, who are proving themselves to well and truly be the league’s biggest blue-chip club both on and off the field.  

source: dailymail.co.uk