Elderton Wines

Gold for 2006 Command Shiraz

2011-11-27T20:31:00.000-08:00

The 2006 Command Shiraz had been awarded a Gold medal at the recently held 2011 National Wine Show of Australia in Canberra.

This is another fantastic accolade for the 2006 Command, following it's achievements of Best in Class at the 2010 London International Wine & Spirit Competition, inclusion in the Top 100 New Releases list by Gourmet Traveller WINE in 2010, named as a finalist in the George Mackey Trophy and a number of great reviews of 94 points from the likes of Halliday and Parker.

Gourmet Traveller WINE reviews

2011-10-05T17:14:00.000-07:00

From the Gourmet Traveller WINE Oct/Nove 2011 edition:

2010 Eden Valley Shiraz
Best Buys

Forward development, frowned upon in wine shows,isn't necessarily a negative with inexpensive young reds. As this one indicates, they can be more interesting at this tender age than the shrill fruit-juicy kinds of infantile reds we see so much of in Australia. The colour is bright, the aromas are of dry spices and walnut, with some maturity - but without harsh, raw fruit or obvious oak. It's soft and easy to enjoy. The flavours maintain interest, and the finish is enlivened by clean acidity. Drink it over the next five years.

Best Buys - Huon Hooke - Gourmet Traveller WINE Oct /Nov 2011

2007 Command Shiraz
Top 100 New Release Wines
95 points and 5 stars

Quite forward in development and full of raisin and mocha, dark chocolate, coffee and oak-derived characters. Roasted fruit, charred barrels, prune and licorice in the mouth, sumptuous and multi-layered. More than just a wine: a hedonistic romp.

100 Top New Release Wines - Huon Hooke - Gourmet Traveller WINE Oct/Nov 2011

2007 Command Shiraz

2011-09-27T16:35:00.001-07:00

95 points

Pow, right out of the glass! Classic Aussie blockbuster shiraz aromas: slight mint/herbal, fleshy, juicy black plums and blackberries squeezed in your palm with the juice running down your forearm. Oh my.

Natalie Maclean, Sept 2011

5 stars

Listed on Australia’s prestigious Langton’s Classification in the ‘Excellent’ category, this delivers vintage after vintage and ages well. Aromas of smoke and berry fruit rip from this full-bodied, beautifully balanced red. It’s a hedonist’s delight with waves of rich and luscious flavours—sweet, ripe mulberry, juicy Bing cherry and nuances of earth and slate—washing endlessly over the palate and dry, lengthy aftertaste. There’s also oak and a solid tannin structure needing time to knit in.

Vic Harradine, www.winecurrent.com

Elderton's 30 Vintages Celebrated in Print

2011-09-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

An article by Ray Jordan in The West Australian on 11.9.11 has told the story of the Ashmead family's bold move into the wine industry and the journey the family and Elderton Wines has had in the 30 vintages since. The 2008 Ode to Lorraine was named as Pick of the Week:

2008 Ode to Lorraine
93 points

An appealing soft generous wine of silky-smooth structure and supple, rich flavours. It's a lovely vibrant wine with a little savoury leathery character to it, overlayed with a decent dusty eathiness. The majority blend of cabernet and shiraz carries the wine but the softness of the merlot adds an important dimension. Excellent wine.

2009 Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz
93 points
Lifted floral, spicy notes on the nose. It's a highly perfumed wine made from a 70-year-old biodynamic single vineyard on Cameron Ashmead's property. It's 100 per cent shiraz. Gets 11 months in all French oak and is left on lees in barrel. Has a soft, generous mouth-feel with fine tannins and fine-grained oak. It's a sleeker, sexier wine.

2008 Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon
91 points
This is sourced from the Elderton property. It was picked just as the heat was beginning, so it wasn't impacted by the extreme heatwave of that year. This is a stylish, angular and quite linear cabernet. Has fine red berry potes over some light cedary oak. Well balanced and poised with the structure to evolve in the cellar. This is predominately American oak.

2010 Eden Valley Shiraz

2011-09-13T18:40:00.000-07:00

91 points

Love this juicy vibrant shiraz from Eden Valley. Bursting with spicy and slightly pepper cherry and plum fruit. The oak is perfectly complementary and the finish pure and velevty smooth. A super elegant wine for drinking over the next few years.

Reviewed by Ray Jordan in The West Australian 'Fresh' 18/8/11

Halliday writes of Elderton's 30 Vintages

2011-09-13T18:23:00.000-07:00

James Halliday has written a great article of the story of Elderton Wines and the Ashmead family in an article in The Weekend Australian Magazine (3.9.11), as Elderton celebrates 30 Vintages in 2011. To read the full article click here. We also received some great reviews:

2008 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon
96 points

The quality of this wine shone through in the mini-vertical tastings of the top labels. The ’01 was good, the ’02 and ’06 very good, the ’04 outstanding, the ’08 an eyelash behind the ’04. It has superb drive and intensity to the back palate, with a lingering finish and aftertaste, the tannins positively silky. It has developed exceptionally well since first tasted in January 2010.

2008 Ode to Lorraine
95 points

A blend of 55% cabernet sauvignon, 37% shiraz and 8% merlot, with open fermentation concluded in barrel. The colour is deep but clear, the bouquet and palate offering blackberry, blackcurrant and plum aromas and flavours. There is ample structure from the cabernet component, giving line, length and balance to a quality wine. The toasty oak is evident, but does not challenge the fruit. Mercifully, the shocking pink colour of prior vintage labels has (almost) disappeared.

2010 Eden Valley Shiraz
92 points

From the Craneford Vineyard purchased by Elderton in 2007. It has vivid colour, and a fragrant plum-and-blackberry bouquet. The medium-bodied palate has great purity coupled with excellent texture and overall mouthfeel, and a long, supple finish. The wine was pressed straight to older American oak puncheons, amplifying the texture but leaving no distracting vanilla oak footprints.

#cabernetday enjoyed across the world

2011-09-02T00:22:00.000-07:00

1 September is Cabernet Day and was celebrated across the world. Those who enjoyed a Cabernet or two also shared their experiences via Twitter #cabernetday.

Here at the Elderton Cellar Door we had our range of current release Cabernet Sauvignon single varietals and blends available for tasting.

Some happy participants also shared their Elderton Cabernet experiences via Twitter:

@miss_shiny Grand designs for delicious dinner tossed out the window. Elderton's 2008 #Cabernet is sustenance enough.

@artofandyellis Been meaning to crack this for a while now, perhaps tonight in honour of #CabernetDay #Barossa 1992 Elderton Cabernet: http://pic.twitter.com/GnLXXPZ *as a side note, this wine is infact the Jimmy Watson Trophy Winner from 1993!

We now look forward to next year's Cabernet Day and what it may hold in store for us!

Cheers!

Elderton Wines in James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2012

2011-08-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

Elderton has this year been awarded five red stars by James Halliday, signifying Elderton is an, "Outstanding winery regularly producing wines of exemplary quality and typicity." Other qualifications include two wines rated 94 points or above and having received 5-star ratings in the previous two years. This puts us among only 5.1% of wineries rated by Halliday in the Wine Companion - a pretty select group!

Two wines in our Eden Valley range received ratings of 'Special Value for Money':

2010 Eden Valley Shiraz, 92 points and Special Value for Money
RRP $19

“Vivid purple hue; a luscious, youthful and exuberant wine, showing pure blackberry, licorice and juicy fruit across the palate; not inhibited by heavy-handed winemaking, with fruit purity the aim of the game.”

2010 Eden Valley Chardonnay, 91 points and Special Value for Money
RRP $19

“Pale colour, bright; the bouquet is restrained showing pear, nectarine, citrus and a light touch of toasty oak; the palate is racy and lean in style, with a lingering grilled nut and toast conclusion.”

For full details on the ratings our wines received visit our website www.eldertonwines.com.au

Elderton and Gourmet Traveller WINE dinner - August 16, 2011

2011-07-12T22:36:00.000-07:00

A limited number of tickets are still available to attend dinner celebrating 30 Vintages of Elderton Wines. Hosted by Gourmet Traveller WINE Editor Judy Sarris and wine writer Nick Ryan, enjoy a three-course meal matched with a past and present vintage of wine from Elderton Wines.

Top Awards Received

2011-07-05T20:41:00.000-07:00

Elderton Wines has received two top awards in Australian Wine Vintages 2012 (The Gold Book), written by Rob Geddes.

The Command Shiraz was judged as a Gold Star wine showing consistently high standards of fruit, flavour complexity and freshness.

The 2010 Eden Valley Riesling was judged one of the Top 100 Wines in over 3500 tasted for the 29th edition of Australian Wine Vintages.

wine named in 100 Best Australian Wines 2011

2011-05-19T17:25:00.000-07:00

Elderton's 2008 Ode to Lorraine has been named in Matthew Jukes' 100 Best Australian Wines 2011 list released this week. Jukes' comments on the wine:

I would like to think that it is the dribble of Merlot in this Cab/Shiraz that gives it its peculiar appeal. Look past the label (and its endearing ugliness) and focus your powers of deduction on the magical fruit assemblage within. Some palates may find this wine too velvety and mouth-coating, however, I am a disciple. Elderton’s portfolio has never looked better and at the top of the tree 2006 and 2007 Command Shiraz are both my wishes, too.

Thanks to Mum

2011-05-09T19:29:00.000-07:00

Mothers are celebrated across the globe on Mother's Day, and the World Wine Guys pointed out some of the great mothers in the world of wine, including Elderton's own Lorraine Ashmead. The World Wine Guys write of the few wine labels that are wonderful tributes to ladies of wine. The Ode to Lorraine Cabernet Shiraz Merlot is a perfect example, a wine dedicated to Lorraine by her sons in recognition of her work at Elderton, as as a mother. Read more

Elderton Estate Shiraz features in Jukes' pick of Aussie Shiraz

2011-04-05T23:29:00.001-07:00

Matthew Jukes has written on his pick of the 'new, multi-faceted Aussie Shiraz' in the May 2011 edition of Decanter and our Estate Shiraz is featured, rating 4 stars and 17.5.

There's no doubt Elderton has finessed its wines of late, but the vineyards are the same, so the seamless , mid-weight spice and meaty notes remain as true as ever. The fruit is lush and tender and the tannins seem more genial and flexible.

Elderton excited for Vintage Festival 2011

2011-04-04T00:46:00.000-07:00

Everyone loves this time of year when the Vintage Festival is nearing and the Scarecrows start appearing...

Our E-team are practising their skills ready for Elderton Strikes Back II, our Vintage Festival event being held on April 27 at Barossa Bowl. It boasts an evening of shattering pine, fine wine and some marvellous swine with fun and hilarity also sure to be prominent features. Do you think the scarecrows are in with a chance for the trophy for best team score? For further information on the event, contact elderton@eldertonwines.com.au or 08 8568 7878.

Vintage Update 25.3.11

2011-03-24T20:19:00.001-07:00

The colours of vintage are truly coming to life this week!

Cellarhand Orin digging out open fermenter

Cellarhand Erik digging out open fermenter

2007 Command Rates Well

2011-03-23T17:59:00.000-07:00

The recently released 2007 Command Shiraz has already received fantastic ratings of 95 points from James Halliday and Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 94 points from Tanzer's International Wine Cellar. Yesterday a rating of 97 points was given in the newsletter released by Nicks Wine Merchants:

Opaque black dark red colour with deep dark red hue - a little more advanced than previous vintages. The nose displays excellent intensity with top notes of mocha and liquorice followed by some ripe blackberry, confectionary and vanilla. Full bodied, super rich and opulent the palate displays lavish flavours of dark plum, liquorice allsorts and mocha followed by some dark chocolate and vanilla overtones. Silky smooth tannin structure. Superb depth with long persistent aftertaste of mocha, liquorice, vanilla and spice. Available in limited supply. Hedonistic drinking now but will also cellar a further 5-6 years (2011-2017) - 97 points - Nicks Wine Merchants

The 2008 Estate Shiraz also received a great review, rated 94 points:

Lifted aromas of blackberry, mocha, liquorice allsorts, toasty vanillin oak and confectionary. Full bodied and filled with ripe opulent blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice allsorts and spice flavours. Soft velvet smooth tannins with a generous fleshy mouthfeel. Good persistence with long aftertaste of ripe blackberry, dark chocolate, liquorice and spice. Elderton are one of the top exponents of voluptuous Barossa Shiraz with the 2008 again delivering excellent value. Drink over the next 4-5 years (2011-2016) - 94 points - Nicks Wine Merchants

Vintage 2011 Underway

2011-03-16T21:15:00.001-07:00

Elderton's winery is now abuzz with vintage moving into full swing. The first crush occured on March 7 - Chardonnay. The first red ferment is now underway, with Shiraz in the open fermenters and giving us the amazing colours and smells of vintage!

Dine with Allister at Melbourne restaurants for launch of 2007 Command Shiraz

2011-02-24T19:37:00.000-08:00

Join Allister Ashmead for dinner, as two great restaurants in Melbourne will be hosting dinners for the release of the 2007 Command Shiraz in March.

Tuesday, 15 March — Sosta (Errol St, North Melbourne)

Wednesday, 16 March — Grossi Florentino (Bourke St, Melbourne)

For further details contact Elderton Wines elderton@eldertonwines.com.au

Greenhouse emissions offset

2010-12-07T21:36:00.001-08:00

Elderton has reconfirmed it's commitment to offsetting greenhouse gas emmissions. 296 tonnes will be offset for 2009/10 by tree planting, as calculated by the SA Wine Industry Association. Elderton is a signatory to the Climate Change Sector Agreement.

82 mm in 24 hours!

2010-12-07T19:41:00.000-08:00

Elderton Wines, and the entire region, has been inundated, with just over 82mm of rain falling in the last 24 hours. This was accompanied by a spectacular summer thunderstorm and light show to match last night.

Elderton in James Halliday's Top 100 Wines

2010-11-14T15:18:00.001-08:00

James Halliday's 2010 Top 100 has been released, and Elderton's 2009 Eden Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is featured, capping off a stellar year for this wine.

94 points
Bright red-purple, the perfumed redcurrant aromas lead into a palate with abundant juicy, fleshy fruit, fine tannins, and a bare hint of oak from nine months in older French hogsheads.
James Halliday, The Weekend Australian Magazine, November 13-14, 2010.

Top 5 at Wine of Year Awards

2010-11-14T15:11:00.000-08:00

Elderton's 2010 Eden Valley Riesling featured in the Top Five of the Riesling category at the 2010 Winestate Wine of the Year Awards last Friday. This follows on from receiving a 4.5 star rating in the Winestate Magazine November/December 2010 edition.

Good Wine Guide 2011 shows Elderton well

2010-11-08T20:31:00.000-08:00

The Good Wine Guide 2011 written by Nick Stock has given Elderton some great reviews. A summary of the points awarded to our wines include:

93 points - 2009 Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz
93 points - 2008 Ode to Lorraine
92 points and a 'best value' wine rating - 2010 Eden Valley Riesling
90 points - 2006 Estate Merlot

Grab a copy to read further the great writeup on our wines.

2010 Hong Kong International Wine Competition results

2010-11-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Silver - 06 Command
Bronze - 07 Command
Bronze - 08 Ashmead
Bronze - 08 Ode to Lorraine

4.5 star rating for 2010 Eden Valley Riesling

2010-11-02T23:06:00.001-07:00

The 2010 Elderton Eden Valley Riesling received a 4.5 star rating in the recently released Winestate Magazine November/December 2010 edition.

Light, spicy varietal fruit aromas with very nice citrusy elements. Very dry palate - perfumed and fruity, with a long mineral acid finish. Excellent cellaring potential 5+years.

Elderton features at Regional Business Awards

2010-11-02T23:04:00.001-07:00

Elderton were finalists in two categories at the recently announced 2010 Advantage SA Regional Awards. Over 70 businesses/individuals were nominated for the Awards in the Barossa region.

Featuring in both the Sustainability and Innovation categories in the Awards, Elderton continue to be proud of the initiatives that are being implemented as part of day-to-day business at the winery, driving the sustainability of the business.

2010 International Wine & Sprit Competition Results

2010-10-17T16:10:00.000-07:00

We are proud to announce some great results achieved by Elderton wines at the 2010 IWSC:

Best in Class, Gold Medal — 2006 Command Shiraz
Best in Class, Silver — 2009 Neil Ashmead Grand Tourer Shiraz
Silver — 2007 Command Shiraz
Silver — 2008 Ode to Lorraine
Bronze — 2008 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon
Bronze — 2007 Estate Shiraz
Bronze — 2010 Eden Valley Riesling

Spring has sprung

2010-10-04T21:56:00.000-07:00

Spring is a wonderful time in the vineyard and we have the first pictures of Spring in the Command vineyard - again bursting into leaf cover in a fantastic display of nature, in their 116th year on the banks of the North Para River in the Elderton Estate vineyard.

Solar Panels Are Go!

2010-09-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

Elderton Wines has seen the installation of its winery solar panel project finalised, making it one of the largest solar projects undertaken by a winery in Australia. The 168 panels are generating power as we speak and will help to reduce the winery's carbon dioxide emissions by at least 55 tonnes annually.

2010 New Zealand Wine Show Results

2010-09-12T17:04:00.000-07:00

Silver - 2006 Command
Bronze - 2008 Ode to Lorraine
Bronze - 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Bronze - 2007 Estate Shiraz

Neil Ashmead GTS Featured in 200 Best Packaging Designs Worldwide

2010-08-25T18:59:00.000-07:00

The Neil Ashmead GTS can add another feather to its cap after being featured in Luzer's Archive Special 200 Best Packaging Design Worldwide 10/11 book. The design, which has been catching attention around the world, and the wine continue to impress. For more details on the wine visit our website www.eldertonwines.com.au

Elderton’s carbon neutral planting initiative deemed a ‘shining success’

2010-06-10T18:47:00.000-07:00

Elderton has recently been recognised in Trees for Life's Releaf Magazine, as being a contributor to a major revegetation project in the Adelaide Hills. Deemed a 'shining success', the site, located in Flaxley (South-East of Adelaide), consists of 20 hectares of vegetation, of which has been part-funded by Elderton's Carbon Neutral offset commitments. The Flaxley site is predicted to sequester at least 4167 tonnes of CO2 over the next century.

Neil Ashmead GTS makes thecoolist.com

2010-06-09T00:31:00.000-07:00

Check out some amazing wine label designs, including the Neil Ashmead GTS

http://www.thecoolist.com/amazing-wine-labels-30-creative-and-unique-wine-label-designs/

Sponsor's Golf Day - Tanunda Pines

2010-06-08T16:30:00.000-07:00

70 Reds to Remember, Gourmet Traveller WINE June/July

2010-06-07T21:13:00.000-07:00

2006 Ode to Lorraine review - Nick Stock, Gourmet Traveller WINE '70 Reds to Remember'

"Distinctly Barossa, this cabernet shiraz merlot has poise and character, mixing dark berries, chocolate and asphalt. Plenty of flesh and charm, but underpinned with tannins to take it far, this is a stayer, for certain."

2010 International Wine Challenge Results

2010-06-02T00:34:00.000-07:00

Elderton is pleased to report back the following results from the 2010 International Wine Challenge:

2006 Command Shiraz Bronze Medal
2007 Command Shiraz Bronze Medal
2007 Estate Shiraz Bronze Medal
2008 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon Commended

Inspiring Sign

2010-05-27T21:04:00.000-07:00

Elderton Scoops Pool of Accolades - 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards

2010-05-27T18:04:00.000-07:00

Following the release of the hotly competed 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards, Elderton is pleased to report 7 wines have received endorsement:

2006 Command Shiraz (available now) Silver Medal
2007 Command Shiraz (available March 2011) Silver Medal
2007 Estate Shiraz (available now) Bronze Medal
2007 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon (available now) Commended
2008 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon (available Nov. 2010) Commended
2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (available now) Commended
2009 Eden Valley Riesling (available now) Commended

Elderton Launches Brand Video

2010-05-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

Check our Elderton's first video of the winery and vineyard, located in the beautiful Barossa Valley township of Nuriootpa.

Elderton Part of $5.5 M Australian Government Climate Change Grant

2010-05-17T16:42:00.001-07:00

Following a brief announcement earlier this year, Elderton can now confirm the winery will be a part recepient of a $5.5 Millon Australian Government Climate Change investment. Follow the link to learn more:

Winsor Dobbin rates 2009 Elderton Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc & Elderton Eden Valley Riesling

2010-05-17T00:01:00.001-07:00

"Brilliant..The guys at Elderton reckon the Adelaide Hills are the best region in Australia for sauvignon blanc - a grape variety that's always a crowd pleaser. This is a delicious drop with zingy fresh tropical fruit flavours and less green acid than most Kiwi savvys. The 09 Riesling under the same label is also dry and very slurpable."

Screw It, May 12-25 Sauce Magazine - Winsor Dobbin

Barossa & Elderton Wines - Part of SA's Food & Wine Playground

2010-04-22T17:34:00.000-07:00

In a Syndey Morning Herald article written by food, travel and wine critique - Winsor Dobbin - Elderton Wines has been included in the list of Barossa wineries that makes SA a key tourism hub.

Check it out here: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-feature/uncover-a-fine-state-of-fares-20100422-tb6t.html

Elderton 2008 Sparkling Shiraz Review - Max Crus

2010-04-13T17:58:00.001-07:00

"Another funky bottle that doesn't fit in the fridge, thus is obviously not designed for cellaring. Drink now then." 8.7/10

Max Crus, Grape Expectations. http://www.maxcrus.com.au/

Gourmet Traveller WINE rates 2006 Command Shiraz 5 Stars, 94 Points and Top 100 New Releases!

2010-04-13T00:14:00.000-07:00

Review by Huon Hooke:

2006 Command Shiraz - 5 Stars, 94 points, Top 100 New Releases

"This is a lovely wine and not at all over-the-top. Savoury developing bouquet with lots of earthy, mocha, fruitcake and toasted-nut complexity, still with good primary fruit. The palate has a skilled balance of fruit sweetness and savouryness, with fine-grained tannins."

Command Higest Rated Aussie Red In 6 Months - Gord Stimmell

2010-04-08T16:29:00.000-07:00

Gord Stimmel, wine critic for thestar.com, has bestowed the 2005 Command Shiraz as his 'highest rated Aussie red in 6 months'.

'with monster coconut, mint, chocolate, tar, and blackberry prowess, layered with complexity and a rich texture of great silkiness. The Ashmead family sculpts this amazing red from syrah vines planted around 1904. Surprisingly, there’s still lots on shelves, no doubt due to the price. But it is absolutely world class in a glass.'

Check out the full article on luxury wines here:

http://www.thestar.com/specialsections/luxuryguide/article/790131--a-vintage-bottle-of-wine-worth-its-weight-in-gold

Tyson Stelzer on the Neil Ashmead GTS Grand Tourer Shiraz

2010-04-06T18:07:00.001-07:00

"This is like an original 1970 GTS Monaro - it's pure, authentic, classy and in no way souped-up. The octane level is well controlled, leaving plenty of space on the road for its blueberry, plum and exotic spice flavours. Over-extracted muscle machines, move aside - this is the real thing."

Tyson Stelzer, Barossa Living

2008 Neil Ashmead GTS Design Award Finalist

2010-03-30T19:01:00.000-07:00

Elderton's Neil Ashmead GTS 'Grand Tourer Shiraz' made it to Finalist Status at the Adelaide Advertising & Design Club's awards night. A great result for both the winery and champion label designers, Fuller.

Check the wine out here http://www.eldertonwines.com.au/thewines/?wine=82

Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - 2006 Command Shiraz Review

2010-03-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

Review by Josh Raynolds
2006 Command Shiraz: 93 POINTS

"Glass-staining ruby-red. Exotically perfumed bouquet of black-berry, boysenberry, cherry-vanilla, cola and incense. A lot of oak spice here but there's also a load of powerful, deeply concentrated dark fruit. Velvety in texture, with strong finishing spiciness and lingering dark berry liqueur qualities. Nothing subtle about this, but it's improbably graceful and focused."

Winestate Magazine Sparkling Shiraz Review

2010-03-23T22:41:00.001-07:00

2008 Sparkling Shiraz “...Sarsaparilla aromas lift off the nose, followed by a beautiful fruit bomb of a palate...”

Command Vineyard History Unveiled

2010-03-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

Elderton recently commissioned Mike Krips, a leading local historian, to investigate the history of the Nuriootpa estate vineyards and in particular the flagship Command vineyard. Mike trawled archival research in local libraries and information drawn from accounts from the Obst, King and Reusch families (locals to the Nuriootpa region throughout the 20th century) suggests that the history of the Elderton property dates back further than first anticipated.

It is now confirmed that the Tolley family arrived in the Barossa in the 1893, after seeing potential in the region for their spirits business and subsequent suitability for vineyard establishment. Their settlement in Nuriootpa led to the construction of a distillery tower, which is still present today south of the Elderton property, near Penfolds (who eventually absorbed the Tolley distillery business).

Evidence shows that 1890s was a period of great viticultural growth for the Barossa, due largely to the outbreak of phylloxera (a crippling vine root disease) in the wine regions of Victoria. This was coupled with a growing acceptance of Australian wines both domestically and internationally and as a result, large tracts of vineyards were planted between Nuriootpa and Tanunda during this period.

It can then be assumed that at the time of the Tolley family’s arrival in 1893, the current Elderton vineyard would have been established also – more than 10 years earlier than original estimates. This is also based on cross-checking titles and family histories for the owners of the current Command Vineyard. The vineyard’s title was first recorded in 1843 and in 1889 it was sold to Johannes Heinrich Scholz who was recorded as a vine grower and wheelwright of Nuriootpa. It was then sold to Carl Heinrich Scholz in 1902, who was also recorded a vine grower. It was not until 1916, when the Tolley family actually took ownership of the estate vineyard

2006 Command Shiraz Release

2010-03-09T18:37:00.000-08:00

In 1984 the Barossa was amid its darkest hour. A grand history of predominantly fortified wines was no longer having any traction in the marketplace, and subsequently nobody wanted to buy the fruit from the Barossa’s wonderful old vines. These were the last days of the vine pull scheme that saw the Barossa lose over 50% of its total plantings and a great deal of irreplaceable old vines, tracing back to the Barossa’s origins of the early 1840’s.

In 1984, Neil and Lorraine Ashmead also made the decision to buck the market and make a limited release Reserve Shiraz, as they believed the oldest Shiraz vines on the property (planted circa 1904) produced something unique and something delicious. The name Command was bestowed upon the wine as it showed all the hallmarks of power and richness and put quite frankly – the wine commanded respect. Elderton was among the first company in the Barossa to do this, of course with the exception of Penfold’s Grange and Henschke’s Hill of Grace.

In 2010, the Australian wine community is again in tough times. With oversupply rampant, a disadvantageous Australian dollar and a globe growing tired of the large company commoditisation of Australian wine, many are again wondering where and if respite will come.

Through these tough times however, Cameron and Allister Ashmead (the second generation at Elderton) are very proud to announce the release of the 21st Command Shiraz, the 2006 vintage. From very humble beginnings, this wine is now respected as one of the great wines on the planet, with drinkers, scribes and wine competitions all hailing what can be achieved from the century old vines on the banks of the North Para River, in the town of Nuriootpa.

The 2006 shows the signs as being one of the greats, in the ilk of 2002 and 1992, as it is full bodied, rich and power packed, yet a wine that has the balance and finesse to showcase its best at any stage in the next twenty plus years. The wine has been rated at 94 points by both James Halliday and by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, and sits comfortably in the Excellent category of Langton’s classification of fine Australian Wine.

Having spent three years in a combination of American and French oak puncheons and a year in bottle (as every vintage produced has), the wine shows its provenance and pedigree, whilst been given the treatment to make it fit for long term cellaring.

92 Points for 2009 Eden Valley Riesling

2010-03-03T20:22:00.001-08:00

Campbell Mattinson of The Wine Front (www.winefront.com.au) has rated the 2009 Eden Valley Riesling 92 Points and heaped praise on the wine, as shown in the comments below:

"Elderton has been making riesling from the Eden Valley for 25 years. The grapes for this wine were sourced from two vineyards.
Eden Valley to its back teeth. Ever so floral. Flavours of lime and lemon with a slatey aftertaste. Exemplary dryness. The finish almost feels grainy, it's so dry. It has 'lilt' to it too, in that the flavours swing through your mouth, rather than just bursting through to the finish. Means it has flavour as well as acid, I guess. And of course, this is part of why it feels so delicate. Lovely wine."

Gold Medal in Berlin

2010-03-01T21:30:00.000-08:00

The 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has won a Gold Medal at the 2010 Berlin Wine Trophy.
Since 2004, this international wine competition has been subject to the highest quality standards, rapidly joining the family of great and famous wine awards.

A great result and yet another accolade to add to the vast list of endoresement for this wine.

Solar Power Boost for Elderton

2010-03-01T18:03:00.000-08:00

Family-owned Barossa winery, Elderton, has been granted an $85,000 boost from the federal government, green-lighting what is to be one of the biggest solar powered winery projects in Australia.

The grant, which was confirmed today through AusIndustry’s Retooling for Climate Change programme, bolsters the winery's environmental initiatives that have been implemented over the past 5 years. It will see a major solar panel grid erected on the winery premises in Nuriootpa, which will be able to generate 150kW of clean power daily. Elderton will also be contributing significantly to the project.

The panels will complement their cellar door, which is already operating on solar driven energy, and will enable full winery production on free and clean power from the sun. Cameron Ashmead, co-Managing Director of Elderton, commented "We are absolutely ecstatic to see the grant approved, which will be a major addition to our sustainable business programme, and a great win for the Barossa in general".

Elderton has been an industry leader in incorporating green initiatives into their day to day operations, having been one of the fist wineries in Australia to be fully accredited carbon neutral. The winery, which is increasingly turning to organic and biodynamic vineyard principles, also recycles all of its waste water, and has also undertaken a river regeneration project on their estate vineyard to bring back biodiversity.

"The solar panels are expected to generate enough electricity to easily satisfy our immediate demand, whilst also exporting excess power back into the public grid — even through peak requirements during vintage, the majority of our power will be generated by the sun", Mr Ashmead commented. "In the challenging times we are currently experiencing, it is important not take our eye off the ball as to the future viability of our estate resources. This project, along with others, will help to ensure the winery is being run as efficiently and environmentally responsible as possible, hopefully safeguarding it for future generations to come."

The winery can expect to reduce CO₂ emissions by at least 55 tonnes annually through the new power source, and is aiming to have the system fully operational by the end of this year.

Elderton Launches Blog Site!

2010-03-01T16:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first official blog from Elderton Wines. We hope you will frequent this page to be kept up to date with all the happenings from our Barossa family winery.

Stay tuned to be kept updated on everthing from media/press coverage and the latest show awards, to video clips from the inner sanctums of our winery and cellars.

Cheers!

The Elderton team