Elderton Wines

The land underlying Elderton Wines was first planted to vines in 1894 by the Scholz family. Samuel Elderton Tolley purchased the estate in 1916 and lent it his middle name. The property fell into disuse during the 1970s, and Neil and Lorraine Ashmead rescued it from dereliction in 1979. The first Elderton wines reached the market in 1982, and the estate quickly established its reputation: a Jimmy Watson Trophy followed in 1993, and the World's Best Shiraz title at the London International Wine and Spirits Competition came in 1996. The second generation, Cameron and Allister Ashmead, took the helm in 2003, and the estate has continued to expand, acquiring vineyards in Craneford (2007), Greenock (2010), and Mengler Hill (2023).

• Vines on the Nuriootpa home block date to 1894, giving the flagship Command Shiraz exceptional old-vine depth
• The estate name honors Samuel Elderton Tolley, its 1916 owner
• Neil and Lorraine Ashmead purchased the derelict property in 1979; first wines released 1982
• Second-generation siblings Cameron and Allister Ashmead assumed leadership in 2003

Elderton farms 160 acres across four distinct sites in the Barossa Valley, each with its own soil character and elevation profile ranging from 275 to 500 metres. The Nuriootpa home block sits on alluvial river silt over red and brown clays with limestone, ideal for the estate's oldest Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Greenock contributes free-draining ironstone to sandy loam soils that suit Grenache and other warm-climate varieties. Craneford, acquired in 2007, features shallow loamy sand over granite, while the most recently added Mengler Hill site (2023) offers shallow skeletal grey sandy loam with quartz gravel at higher elevations. The Barossa's Mediterranean climate, with warm dry summers and mild winters, underpins the estate's emphasis on low-yield, concentrated fruit.

• Nuriootpa: alluvial river silt over red and brown clays with limestone; home to the 1894-planted block
• Greenock: free-draining ironstone to sandy loam soils
• Craneford: shallow loamy sand over granite, acquired 2007
• Mengler Hill: shallow skeletal grey sandy loam with quartz gravel, acquired 2023

Elderton's portfolio centers on premium red wines, with old-vine Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon at its core. The Command Shiraz, drawn from the 1894 Nuriootpa vines, is the estate's most celebrated bottling. Beyond Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate grows Grenache, Merlot, Carignan, Mataro, Tempranillo, and Cinsault among its red varieties, and produces white wines from Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Semillon. The estate produces approximately 30,000 cases per year while maintaining its focus on quality through low yields and sustainable viticulture.

• Command Shiraz is the flagship, sourced exclusively from the 1894-planted Nuriootpa block
• Red varieties include Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache, Merlot, Mataro, Carignan, Tempranillo, and Cinsault
• White varieties include Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Semillon
• Annual production sits at approximately 30,000 cases

Elderton's cellar door operates from a restored 1918 gentleman's bungalow at the Nuriootpa estate, offering visitors an experience rooted in the property's history. The winery earned the Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Award in both 2019 and 2022, and was named number three in the Halliday Wine Companion People's Choice Award for best winery experience in Australia. The estate holds Certified Sustainable Winegrowing Australia status, reflecting its commitment to long-term land stewardship. Julie Ashmead, a fifth-generation winemaker, now leads production, continuing the family's hands-on approach across all four vineyard sites.

• Cellar door housed in a restored 1918 gentleman's bungalow
• Great Wine Capitals Best of Wine Tourism Award winner in 2019 and 2022
• Rated number three in Halliday Wine Companion People's Choice for best winery experience in Australia
• Certified Sustainable Winegrowing Australia; Julie Ashmead (fifth generation) serves as Head of Production