Elderton Wines
| Elderton Wines | |
|---|---|
 Elderton Wines logo | |
| Location | Barossa Valley, Nuriootpa, South Australia, Australia |
| Wine region | Barossa Valley |
| Founded | 1979 |
| First vines planted | 1894 |
| First vintage | 1982 |
| Key people | Cameron and Allister Ashmead |
| Cases/yr | Approx 30,000 - 45,000 |
| Known for | Command Shiraz |
| Varietals | Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Mataro (Mourvèdre), Merlot, Cinsault, Chardonnay, Riesling |
| Tasting | Open daily |
| Website | www |
Elderton Wines is an Australian winery based in Nuriootpa, in the Barossa Valley. It is best known for its old-vine Command Shiraz and Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon. Neil and Lorraine Ashmead purchased the historic estate vineyard (originally planted in 1894) in 1979 and produced their first vintage under the Elderton label in 1982.[1] The winery is currently run by the second generation, Cameron and Allister Ashmead, together with their wives Jules and Rebecca. Elderton wines are made from grape varieties including red grapes Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot as well as white grapes Riesling and Chardonnay.[2]
History
In the late 1970s Neil and Lorraine Ashmead returned from the Middle East, settling on the Barossa Valley as the place to raise their sons. In 1979 the Ashmead's purchased the derelict estate and vineyard, which was originally planted in 1894 by the Scholz family[3]. In 1916, the property was purchased by Samuel Elderton Tolley, a member of a prominent winemaking family, who renamed the estate 'Elderton' Tolley sold the vineyard's fruit to his family's winery, Tolley, Scott & Tolley, ensuring the estate's productive operation for several decades and establishing its early reputation in the Barossa Valley wine industry.[4][5] The family restored the derelict vineyard and the first vintage of wine was produced in 1982.[4]
In 1993, Elderton won the Jimmy Watson Trophy.[6] Elderton also won the World’s Best Shiraz Trophy at the 2000 London International Wine & Spirits Competition.[7]
In 2003, sons Cameron and Allister took over day-to-day operations. In 2024, Ashmead Family Vintners was established as the overarching entity for the family’s wine interests.[8][9] They run the business with a focus on sustainability.[10][11]
In 2017, the cellar door was moved into the historic 1918 homestead after extensive renovation.[12]
Wines
Elderton produces approx. 30,000–45,000 cases of wine per year depending on vintage conditions.[13] The majority of the production is red wine. The wines are made to show varietal character, regional definition and to show the unique personalities of the Elderton team .[7] Command Shiraz is Elderton's flagship wine, produced from a single vineyard of Shiraz vines that were planted around 1894.[5]
Vineyards
Nuriootpa (original estate, planted 1894 by Scholz family)
Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot. Source of Command Shiraz and Ashmead Cabernet.[14]
Greenock (planted 1915, purchased post-2010)
Shiraz, Grenache, Carignan, Mataro, Cinsault.[14]
Craneford (Eden Valley, planted 1990, purchased 2007)
Shiraz, Cabernet, Riesling, Chardonnay.[14]
Mengler Hill (planted ~early 1900s, purchased 2023)
Highest altitude site, multiple varieties including Shiraz, Grenache, Tempranillo.[14]
Sustainability
Elderton is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Initiatives include large-scale solar power (since 2010, expanded multiple times), 100% winery water recycling, cover crops, native revegetation, biological pest control, and mulching.[15]
See also
References
- ↑ Ed: Simic, P. (November–December 2007). Winestate Magazine.
{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ Halliday, James (2011). Wine Companion 2011.
- ↑ "About Elderton Wines | Barossa Valley wineries". Elderton Wines. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- 1 2 Dobbin, W. (6 March 2011). "Sons make wines to make a dad proud". Launceston Sunday Examiner.
- 1 2 "Elderton Command - a passion and history of excellence" (PDF). Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ↑ "Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy Winners" (PDF). RASV Virtual Museum. Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- 1 2 "About Us". eldertonwines.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 May 2013.
- ↑ "Ashmead Family". Elderton Wines. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ↑ "Elderton prepares for next generation of success". The Leader. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ↑ "Sustainability". Elderton Wines. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ↑ "ECO Friendly in the Barossa" (PDF). Barossa Council. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
- ↑ van Dorp, Bonnie (10 August 2017). "Owners of Elderton Wines to launch new cellar door in family homestead". Spice Hotel & Venue News. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
- ↑ Halliday, James (2011). Wine Companion 2011.
- 1 2 3 4 "About Elderton Wines | Barossa Valley wineries". Elderton Wines. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
- ↑ "Sustainability". Elderton Wines. 18 December 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2026.