In the late 1970s Neil and Lorraine Ashmead returned from the Middle East, settling on the Barossa Valley as the place to raise their sons. In 1979 the Ashmeads purchased the Estate vineyard, which was planted in 1894 by Samuel Elderton Tolley.[3][4] The family restored the derelict vineyard and the first vintage of wine was produced in 1982.[3]
In 1993, Elderton won the Jimmy Watson Trophy.[5] Elderton also won the World’s Best Shiraz Trophy at the 2000 London International Wine & Spirits Competition.[6] Neil and Lorraine Ashmead's sons Cameron and Allister took control of the business in 2003.[7][8] They run the business with a focus on sustainability.[9][10]
In 2017, the cellar door tasting rooms and sales outlet were moved into the old homestead surrounded by vineyards.[11]
Wines
Elderton produces around 30,000 cases of wine per year, depending on vintage conditions.[12] The majority of the production is red wine. The wines are made to show varietal character, regional definition and to show the unique personalities of the Elderton team .[6]
Command Shiraz is Elderton's flagship wine, produced from a single vineyard of Shiraz vines that were planted around 1894.[4]
