Key People

Cameron Ashmead - Co-Managing Director

Cameron Ashmead is Neil & Lorraine Ashmead’s eldest son – the founders of Elderton Wines. Cameron grew up amongst the vines working both in viticulture & in the cellar getting his hands dirty, before leaving to embark on a corporate finance career with various global financial institutions.

After 11 years working in far flung markets such as Sydney, London & Munich he returned to the family fold in 2003. Based in Nuriootpa, along with his younger brother, Allister, he is now responsible for managing Elderton’s business, including overseeing pesky winemakers. Like all the Ashmead family he is passionate about food and wine.

Being a strong believer in the Barossa cause, Cameron is the Chairman of the Barossa Community Store. He is also the current chairman of the Nuriootpa Regional Community Association. Additionally he is a Trustee of the Barossa Foundation and sits on the Barossa Grape Winemaker Association Environmental Committee.

Cameron married Julie Campbell in November 2007. Jules is a 5th generation Campbell, who is in line one day to take over Campbells Wines with her sisters & cousins in Rutherglen, Victoria. Established in 1870, Campbells is one of Australia’s oldest and most famous wineries that specialises in top end table and fortified wines. Jules works for Turkey Flat Vineyards, whilst also joining Elderton Winemaker, Richard Langford, on the tasting bench periodically.

On 10 May 2009 Jules and Cam announced the birth of their first child – ‘Angus Wellington Campbell Ashmead’


Allister Ashmead - Co-Managing Director

Allister is the youngest son of the Elderton winery founders, Lorraine and the late Neil Ashmead, and is one half (along with his brother Cameron) of the second generation to continue the family commitment at Elderton Wines. His day-to-day role encompasses most facets of the business, but mainly focussing in on the dual roles of marketing, and production (along with Richard, Elderton’s Winemaker). Allister has been doing this since February of 2000.

Allister has a commerce degree from the University of Adelaide, majoring in Marketing and Management. With many hours in the Elderton Vineyard as a youngster, a couple of vintages in cellars at home and abroad, and a grounding in wholesale and retail sales, this has provided Allister with the foundation and understanding to be an important contributor in the production team, and has seen Elderton grow organically to become one of Australia’s greatest small family wineries.

Al is extremely passionate about the Barossa. Outside of Elderton, he has sat on the Barossa Winemakers' Committee since 2003, chairing it between 2006–09; sits on the board of Barossa Wine and Tourism, including the marketing sub-committee; convened the 2009 Barossa Rare and Distinguished Wine Auction and was one of 15 selected across the Australian wine industry in the inaugural intake of the Winemakers Federation of Australia's 'Future Leaders' programme in 2006.

Allister was inducted as a Baron of the Barossa on 7 November 2009.


Rebecca, Charlotte & Sophie Ashmead -

Rebecca has been at Elderton since 1999 and has worked many roles within the company during this time. Originally from the Barossa, Rebecca completed a diploma in Wine Marketing at Roseworthy College and then did stints at two mega wineries, Orlando and Penfolds, before settling at Elderton.

Allister and Rebecca were married in the Command Cellars at Elderton in November of 2004 and look forward to a future of fun, happiness and of course, lots of wine together.

Rebecca currently assists with Elderton’s marketing efforts, whilst also bringing up the third generation of Ashmeads.


Lorraine Ashmead - Chairwoman, Co-Founder and Überboss

Not much more to say really, apart from…. respect.


Richard Langford - Winemaker

Richard joined us in August of 2003 and came with high praise from many present and past Barossa Winemakers. In his past working life he had worked in the Barossa, Rutherglen, Hunter Valley, Mudgee, Tamworth, Riverland, Riverina, Wagga and in the South of France (he was also headed off to the Chablis for the 2003 vintage, before we nabbed him from the French).

He has experience in warm and cool climate viticulture, and from tiny operations to quite large wineries and also on bottling lines. One aspect that excites us about Richard is his proven ability to work with Vignerons to ensure that quality begins and occurs in the vineyard.

He has a passion that matches the ideology of Elderton, in that he truly wants to make absolutely world-class wines which show a stamp of regionality with a touch of personality. Richard names his favourite varietals as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, which hold him in good stead at Elderton.

Richard takes control of the day-to-day operational winemaking duties at Elderton and is joined by Lorraine, Cameron and Allister Ashmead on the blending and styling bench.


- Tasting Room Manager

Jess Ruciack - Marketing & Sales

A country girl at heart, Jess enjoys the variety and creativity that is involved in a marketing role. She is proud of her continually broadening palate, which can only get better through tasting Elderton’s range. With university studies in international business and wine marketing and experience in government, agronomy and cellar door, Jess is excited to develop in her role at Elderton since beginning here in June 2010. In her current 'spare' time Jess coaches and plays netball and is involved with the Kapunda Show.


Michelle Samain - Accounts Co-ordinator

Michelle has been with the group since 2001, providing real time assistance in the finance department. Be nice to her as she signs the cheques!


Kate Seabrook - Production Manager

Kate joined Elderton as Production Manager in late June 2010. She is the fifth generation of her family to work in the wine industry following in the footsteps of wine makers, judges and marketers. With experience in every facet of the industry and 15 years in export, Kate is a fantastic new asset for Elderton. This good Barossa girl is enthusiastic about her exciting and challenging role at Elderton.


Andrew Willmott - Maintenance Manager

Our Mr Fix-It since January 2009, joining the team from some of SA’s best wineries in the Clare Valley and also in the Riverland. Apparently he can rival MacGuyver in fixing anything, anywhere…


Brett Lawson - Cellar Hand

Brett joined Elderton for the 2005 vintage and has been an eager part of the team ever since. He keeps impressing by taking on cellar hand TAFE courses with gusto and coming out head of class. He is so much more than just another ‘hose dragger’ in the cellar.


Peter Wild - Viticulturist

Peter joined Elderton in May 2010 after working 12 years at Thorn-Clarke as their head viticulturist. As well as having a green thumb and having an eye for detail, Peter enjoys riding mountain bikes and when the wind picks up he is an avid kite surfer.


David Young - Viticulturist Supreme

David has been with Elderton since 1993 you can tell he loves the estate vineyard (and his tractors for that matter). He has seen almost every weather condition come and go and every year he produces outstanding results with the fruit, of course evidenced in the wine that is produced.

We feel very priviliged to have the above photo of David, as it is rumoured to be the only one in existence!


Danny ‘Mr Reliable’ Hentschke -

Since 1996 there has been no job that has been too big or small for Danny. Spending his time equally between our finished goods warehouse and assisting David in the vineyard, he always seems to get the job done better than guys even more than half of his age.


‘Action’ Jackson & Nelson - General Dogbodies

Probably the most important members of staff, belonging to the Ashmeads, they provide sanity in times of need.