About Elderton Wines

Elderton Wines is located in the heart of Nuriootpa, in South Australia's Barossa Valley. Purchased in the 1980s by Neil and Lorraine Ashmead to live the classic Barossa lifestyle, the 1918 classic gentleman's bungalow is now the winery's cellar door. Encased by vineyards and beautifully renovated, this winery is worth a visit for those seeking to experience authentic Barossa hospitality and heritage. The Ashmead family's vision was to create wines that honour the Barossa's rich viticultural traditions whilst establishing their own legacy in one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions.

Second Generation Leadership

In 2003 the winery became the second generation's concern, with sons Cameron and Allister taking the reins. They believe very strongly in continuing the traditions that began a generation earlier on the Nuriootpa vineyard. Taking the family company to the next level, they have been expanding their operation with acquisitions of great vineyards in other significant sub-appellations of the Barossa, with additional vineyards in Greenock and Craneford. This strategic expansion allows Elderton to showcase the diversity of Barossa terroir, with each sub-region contributing distinctive characteristics to their wine portfolio. Cameron and Allister's leadership combines respect for their parents' vision with contemporary winemaking knowledge and business acumen, ensuring Elderton remains at the forefront of Barossa wine production.

The Barossa Valley Wine Region

The Barossa Valley, located approximately 60 kilometres northeast of Adelaide in South Australia, stands as one of the world's most celebrated wine regions and Australia's most iconic viticultural area. Established in the 1840s by German and British settlers, the Barossa boasts one of the oldest collections of continuously producing vineyards in the world, with some vines dating back over 175 years. The valley's diverse landscape encompasses gently rolling hills, ancient creek beds, and varied elevations ranging from 250 to 550 metres above sea level. Nuriootpa, where Elderton's original vineyard and cellar door are located, sits in the heart of the valley floor, whilst their Greenock and Craneford vineyards occupy distinct sub-regions that contribute unique terroir characteristics. The Barossa's rich winemaking heritage, combined with its exceptional terroir, has established the region as synonymous with premium Australian wine, particularly world-class Shiraz.

Barossa Valley Climate & Terroir

The Barossa Valley experiences a warm to hot continental climate with Mediterranean influences, creating ideal conditions for full phenolic ripeness and flavour development. Long, warm to hot summers with average temperatures ranging from 20-30°C promote steady ripening, whilst the region's low humidity and minimal summer rainfall reduce disease pressure and allow precise vineyard management. Cool nights, particularly at higher elevations in sub-regions like Greenock, provide crucial diurnal temperature variation that preserves natural acidity and aromatic complexity whilst allowing full flavour maturation during warm days. The Barossa receives approximately 500-600mm of annual rainfall, concentrated mainly in winter and spring, with dry harvest conditions ensuring optimal fruit quality. The region's remarkably diverse soils include red-brown earth over clay, grey sandy loam, black cracking clay, and ancient weathered rock—each imparting unique mineral qualities. Elderton's vineyards across Nuriootpa, Greenock, and Craneford showcase this soil diversity, allowing the winemaking team to craft wines that express the full spectrum of Barossa terroir.

Vineyard Philosophy: Great Wine is Made in the Vineyard

Elderton's viticultural and winemaking philosophy is one that is shared by all of the great wineries of the world: "Great wine is made in the vineyard." This fundamental belief drives every decision in the vineyard, from pruning and canopy management through to harvest timing. The family celebrates the individual terroirs of each of their sites with the aim to produce wines that show true regional history and character, and varietal definition. Rather than imposing a single winemaking style across all fruit, Elderton allows each vineyard's unique characteristics to shine through, creating wines that authentically express their origins. This terroir-driven approach requires intimate knowledge of each site's soil composition, aspect, elevation, and microclimate, as well as the discipline to adapt winemaking techniques to suit the fruit's inherent qualities.

Elderton Wine Varieties & Range

Elderton's portfolio showcases the Barossa Valley's signature varieties through exceptional expressions from their Nuriootpa, Greenock, and Craneford vineyards. The flagship Command Shiraz, sourced from a single vineyard planted in 1894, represents one of the Barossa's most distinguished old vine sites, producing wine of extraordinary concentration, complexity, and ageing potential with dark fruit, chocolate, spice, and remarkable structure. The Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon demonstrates the variety's affinity for Barossa terroir with classic blackcurrant, cedar, and fine-grained tannins. Eden Valley Riesling, sourced from the cooler, higher-elevation Eden Valley sub-region, showcases citrus, lime, and mineral characters with razor-sharp acidity and excellent cellaring potential. The range also includes Barossa Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot expressions that offer more approachable styles whilst maintaining Elderton's commitment to quality and regional character. Limited releases and single vineyard wines further demonstrate the diversity of their vineyard holdings and the winemaking team's skill in revealing each site's unique personality.

Sub-Regional Diversity: Nuriootpa, Greenock & Craneford

Elderton's strategic acquisition of vineyards across multiple Barossa sub-regions allows them to showcase the valley's remarkable diversity. Nuriootpa, on the valley floor, produces wines with generous fruit expression and approachable tannins. Greenock, in the northwest Barossa, is renowned for producing some of the region's most powerful and concentrated Shiraz, with ancient soils and slightly higher elevation contributing intensity and structure. Craneford offers yet another terroir expression, with its own soil composition and microclimate characteristics. This multi-vineyard approach enables Elderton to craft wines that range from elegant and refined to powerful and concentrated, all unified by exceptional quality and authentic Barossa character. The family's commitment to celebrating each site's individual terroir ensures that their portfolio tells the complete story of Barossa diversity.

The Ashmead Family Legacy

From Neil and Lorraine Ashmead's initial vision in the 1980s to Cameron and Allister's contemporary leadership, Elderton Wines embodies the values of family, tradition, and dedication to quality that define the best of Barossa winemaking. The beautifully renovated 1918 gentleman's bungalow serves as both a working cellar door and a symbol of the family's commitment to preserving Barossa heritage whilst embracing the future. The transition from first to second generation has been seamless, with Cameron and Allister honouring their parents' legacy whilst expanding the estate's vineyard holdings and elevating wine quality. This multi-generational approach ensures continuity of vision whilst allowing for evolution and innovation, creating a winery that respects the past whilst confidently moving forward.

As independent liquor specialists, we're proud to offer great prices on Elderton Wines' exceptional range of Barossa Valley wines, bringing the Ashmead family's dedication to terroir-driven winemaking and the distinctive character of Nuriootpa, Greenock, and Craneford vineyards directly to Australian wine enthusiasts who appreciate authentic Barossa expressions.