News

Gold Medal for 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon

The 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has been awarded a Gold Medal, at the 2010 Berlin Wine Trophy. An amazing result amongst a very strong international field.

2006 Command Shiraz nominated for Australia’s most outstanding exported wine

The 2006 Elderton Command Shiraz has been nominated for the prestigious George Mackey Memorial Trophy, awarded each year to Australia’s most outstanding table wine to have been exported.

The award is judged by the Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation, and evaluated at the time of submission for export approval. We hope to bring you news of the final taste off in the near future.

Elderton to embark on one of Australia’s largest wine industry solar projects

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.

A New Ashmead Baron

Allister Ashmead was inducted as a Baron of the Barossa on 7 November 2009. The Barons are instrumental in setting down a number of aims including preservation and maintenance of heritage, traditions, standards and public interest in Barossa wine. In what is excellent news, he follows on from Neil’s induction in 1992.

Allister Ashmead — Barons Of The Barossa

2007 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon a Winner at the London International Wine and Spirit Competition

The team at Elderton Wines are proud to announce that the 2007 Ashmead Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has won Gold and Top in Class at the London International Wine and Spirit Competition. The Ashmead Cabernet has also been awarded Gold at the San Francisco International Wine Show and Gold at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles this year. For full details of this award winning wine, please see the Reviews page of the website.

Elderton's Carbon Neutral Commitment is Boosted!

Elderton’s commitment to being carbon neutral was boosted with the news that our offset plantations for 2008/09 were planted in the Mannum area by Trees for Life. For more information please refer to the attached letter from carbonneutral.com.au.

Trees For Life

2009 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc Wins GOLD at Adelaide Wine show.

The team at Elderton are thrilled to announce the newly released 2009 Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc has won a Gold Medal, scoring 18.5 / 20, at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. As equal second in class, this is a very humbling result, suggesting it is in the category of Australia’s standout offerings from the 2009 vintage. The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc also was recently awarded a 4 star rating by Winestate Magazine.

Elderton Awarded Critics Choice Award - Wine Spectator

Elderton Wines have been awarded Critics Choice Award from the Wine Spectator Magazine – the 3rd time in 6 years. We also attended the prestigious New York Wine Experience in October, where the magazine chose its favourite 250 wineries from around the world. There were only 8 Australian companies included in the tastings.

Elderton 5 Star Winery in James Halliday's Australian Wine Companion 2010

It with great pleasure that we can bring you the hot off the press scores from the 2010 edition of James Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion. (See the Reviews page on website) The companion is often referred to as the Australian Wine Bible — Halliday being regarded as our most respected critic and industry commentator.

All of the reviews have led to Elderton being rated 5 Stars overall – deemed to be ‘An outstanding winery and capable of producing wines of very high quality, and did so this year.’ Elderton was also noted amongst the Best Wineries of the Barossa Valley region.

Elderton Wins Gold!

The team at Elderton are proud to give you their outstanding results for the 2009 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Wine Show.

• GREAT GOLD — 2006 Command Single Vineyard Shiraz
• GOLD — 2007 Ashmead Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
• GOLD — 2006 Barossa Shiraz
• GOLD — 2006 Ode To Lorraine, CSM

Elderton Commended for their achievements at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2009

The Decanter World Wine Awards has flourished over the last 5 years to grow into the most important and influential wine competitions in the world. Elderton have been recognised this year for their outstanding wines, receiving a SILVER Award for the 2005 Single Vineyard Command Shiraz and the 2006 Ode to Lorraine CSM; as well being highly Commended for the 2006 Barossa Valley Estate Shiraz.

Angus Wellington Campbell Ashmead - Born 10th May 2009

The new edition to the Ashmead family has finally arrived! Proud new parents, Cameron and Julie Ashmead are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of Angus Wellington Campbell Ashmead, born early Sunday morning on the 10th of May 2009. Cam says that Angus has already spoken about how excited he is about his very first Swans game! We wish them all the very best.

Environmental Acknowledgement for Elderton Wines

Elderton has been acknowledged again for its work with its environmental sustainability initiatives in the Grapegrower and Winemaker Magazine, March 2009.

Amazing Parker scores including the 2005 Command Shiraz with 97 Points.

The short month of February has been highlighted by three key reviews from three prominent Australian wine reporters — Gary Walsh, Windsor Dobbin and Ric Einstein. We are also happy to announce, as of March 1st, the official release of Elderton's flagship — the 2005 Single Vineyard Command Shiraz.

For those whom also follow the scribes of Robert Parker (US), we are pleased to bring to you 'hot off the press' scores of Wine Advocate correspondent DR. Jay Miller. These scores have true global recognition, and we are proud to yet again be endorsed amongst the higher echelon of Australian wineries. — 2005 Single Vineyard Command Shiraz 97 Points — 2006 Single Vineyard Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon 95 Points — 2006 Ode To Lorraine CSM 92 Points — 2005 Ode To Lorraine CSM 91 Points — 2006 Barossa Estate Shiraz 91 Points — 2006 Barossa Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 91 Points — 2007 Riverina Botrytis Semillion 90 Points

For full reviews, which make great for reading, please see the 'Review' page or contact the Elderton Team for more information.

Wine Spectators Top 100 Wines of 2008 - Elderton Makes the List for the 3rd time in the last 9 years

The 2005 Elderton Ode To Lorraine CSM has come in at number 16 in Wine Specator's Top 100 Wines of 2008. We were very proud and excited to make this prestigious list for the 3rd time in the last nine years, which rounds up the years most exciting wines.

A Decade in the Bottle - Winespectator Tasting

A retrospective tasting of top Aussie Reds from mid- to late-’90s vintages. The best Shirazes and Cabernet Sauvignons the country has to offer prove their mettle with time. Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 ELDERTON Shiraz Barossa Command 1998 Score: 99 Rich, ripe and seductive, still amazingly youthful, brimming with red plum, blackberry and guava flavors, speckled with layers of exotic spice, crème brûlée, a touch of licorice and a hint of espresso. The structure is utterly seamless, and it all comes together harmoniously. Seems like this can go for ages. — Harvey Steinman