BUZZ
AN ODE TO MUM
Those who are long time supporters will be well versed in the story behind the Ode to Lorraine.
As Mother’s Day is only a couple of weeks away, we thought we would share the story with our new Eldertonians and Commanders. And what a story it is!
Not reserved just for Mother’s Day, we like to say thanks to our mum, Lorraine, for everything she achieved whilst at the helm of the family company – for her passion, dedication, hard work and prudent decisions, as well as everything she has done for us as our mother and grandmother.
Our thanks to mum became something to share in 2002 when the CSM was renamed Ode to Lorraine. This wine is truly the hidden gem in the Elderton portfolio of premium reds - a blend of the finest barrels of each of the Elderton Nuriootpa vineyard varietals, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot.
LORRAINE
- AN AMAZING WOMAN
Lorraine Ashmead is an amazing person, who is admired greatly among many in the Barossa for the tireless work she carried out to promote Elderton as well as the entire appellation. Her tendency to shy away from the spotlight was one of the major reasons why we decided to dedicate this wine to her from the 2002 vintage.
We really wanted the entire world to know not only how much Mum has dedicated herself to our upbringing but also the efforts she has put into Elderton behind the scenes. Historically she always allowed our Dad, Neil, to take the spotlight and most of the credit, and whilst today she certainly has taken a back seat to Cameron and myself in the family company, she is still an invaluable asset to our business.
“Perhaps you would rather drink this wine, Lorraine.”
CHOOSING THE PERFECT WINE TRIBUTE
We had tried many years ago to name a wine for mum, however were forced not to, as she was too modest and too humble to allow it to go ahead. That wine was eventually named the Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon.
A few years later a marquee birthday was nearing for Lorraine, and so we decided it was the perfect time to rename a wine from the portfolio
in her honour.
We made the decision in absolute secrecy to rename the CSM - ‘Ode to Lorraine’, the ultimate birthday present - and a plan was hatched to unveil this wine at a surprise party, the likes of which the Barossa had never seen!
Mum however got wind of the party, and quashed it by instead taking a trip to New York with a good friend.
All was not lost, however, as we told mum that we would only allow her to go to New York if we were allowed to buy her and her friend dinner. We arranged dinner at Jean Georges.
THE REVEAL
The Sommelier came over and took Lorraine’s order of a bottle of Chardonnay from Oregon, but instead returned to the table with the inaugural Ode to Lorraine and said, “Perhaps you would rather drink this wine, Lorraine. Happy Birthday!”
Many tears and much laughter prevailed, as Lorraine was truly touched that her sons had gone to this much trouble for her. She had assumed it was just a mock-up bottle, later realising that there was indeed dozens of bottles now named for her.
You’ll have to ask Cameron or Allister for the rest of the story!
Allister, Cameron and Lorraine in Cellar Door
VINEYARD AND WINERY UPDATE
IN THE VINEYARD
The hot and dry conditions in Barossa this year have been challenging, but with thoughtful and precise use of irrigation we have been rewarded with some exceptional fruit.
This season has been very dry, with rainfall down 38% off an already low base. This was coupled with warm conditions leading to our earliest ever harvest.
The vines woke up in spring with a bang, pushing growth rapidly, with canopies well developed by flowering. Vines were quite high in bunch numbers, but they always seem to adapt to the conditions and berry size was very small to account for this.
Knowing we would have a lot of heat through ripening meant we had to make some brave decisions to forego higher yields in some blocks, so that we had ample water to keep our premium blocks fresh and healthy to get the best quality possible.
The teeny berry size led to some kooky chemistry through ripening, but patience was rewarded as the heat eventually eased and allowed the vines to settle into a more typical pattern for the last couple of weeks before we harvested.
VINTAGE 2025 WRAP FROM JULES
What a whirlwind vintage 2025 has been! As I write this we are watching our malolactic fermentations tick through in the winery. Our weekend work has ceased, and I have even had time
to purchase Easter Eggs well ahead of Good Friday, so I actually had choice this year!
Spring 2024 came with a nasty frost which knocked out decent crops in the northern Barossa. We were very fortunate at Greenock to avoid any damage, owing to our elevation and sloping site. We were hit at Nuriootpa which has resulted in lower yields, but with amazing fruit concentration.
We had a little rain some time in October, perfect timing with budburst complete and vineyards doing exactly as they would normally. Then the rain stopped.
Watering became priority #1 and I am pleased to say that we managed to keep our vineyards going! Fortunately, not laden with a large crop, the vines were able to manage with warm days and warm nights and a very, very dry outlook.
Fast forward to early 2025 and as we began sampling, we realised that everything was going to come in at a similar time.
We have had to be very careful this year not to pick according to numbers, rather relying on how our fruit is tasting and looking on the vine. Picking decisions were difficult with no relief in the weather.
Our normal picking sequence was certainly thrown out in 2025 with some varieties not enjoying the warmer nights and ripening ahead of what we normally see.
Our final picking day for Elderton comprised of Greenock Grenache for our GSM (normally an early pick) and Craneford Cabernet Sauvignon (normally our last pick over a month later), which goes to show what a different style of vintage it was.
We are really happy with what we have in the cellar. The perfume on our new wines is amazing and there is a vitality to the fruit profile which we love.
We are only now seeing the rewards of going in early and hard, and now our vines can enjoy a long autumn and winter dormancy to recover from the demands of a hot ripening season.
As we mark our 44th vintage, 2025 will be one of the driest and earliest vintages on record!
A highlight for V25 at this early stage is definitely our Helbig 1915 Shiraz, dry grown and picked earlier than ever, the vitality and freshness backed up with the Helbig grunt is exceptional.
Having recently released our 2024 Grenaches from Mengler Hill and Greenock, we are really excited about our 2025 harvests from these blocks, showing the vineyard typicity we are looking for, slipping effortlessly into their slot at this early stage.
And 2025 Command will be one to savour, with low volumes but already showing it is definitely going to be a stand out!
Peter and Jules looking at some old vine Shiraz at Mengler Hill
OUR WINES
If you have questions about our wines, please contact our Cellar Door team on 08 8568 7878.
ELITE SINGLE VINEYARDS
2021 COMMAND SHIRAZ
Command is truly an expression of place, and we are proud to be the current custodians of a rare piece of Barossa Valley viticultural heritage. Single vineyard, planted 1894.
My first thought on tasting this wine was simply, wow, this might just be the very best Command Shiraz I can recall... 98 points, Ken Gargett, winepilot.com
I’m not sure I have seen a better example of Command in all the years I have been tasting it... 98 points, Ray Jordan, winepilot.com
2022 ASHMEAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON
In 1997 the family sat down to discuss the viability of a 1944 Cabernet block - its saving grace was simply the pure brilliance of the fruit. It was, and is, always the standout Cabernet block on our Nuriootpa property.
...elegant and restrained, yet you know those 78-year-old cabernet vines will deliver plenty as it ages...Vibrant and bright with the capacity for extended cellaring. 95 points, Ray Jordan, winepilot.com
A rich and powerful Cabernet from a very fine year... Good concentration, the structure offers direction and focus, with power and a firm, long finished. A superbly crafted wine, 94 points, Ken Gargett, winepilot.com
2022 HELBIG 1915 SHIRAZ
Only 1414 bottles produced, from the 1915 Shiraz block at our Greenock vineyard. Magnums also available.
It’s no wallflower and is a wine for those who seek power and sheer grunt and ripeness. Pop it away safely. 96 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
EXCEPTIONAL SITES
2022 ODE TO LORRAINE (CABERNET, SHIRAZ, MERLOT)
Named in honour of Lorraine Ashmead, co-founder of Elderton. The palate has a juicy feel with delicious, spicy fruits supported by fine tannins and a combination of new and seasoned French oak. A first rate wine. 96 points, Ray Jordan, winepilot.com
52/44/4% cabernet sauvignon/shiraz/merlot this year with a lovely clarity and detail to the aromatic profile... All is harmonious and nicely set on the palate, chalky tannins providing grip and a sense of freshness as the wine fades out. 94 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
2023 NEIL ASHMEAD GRAND TOURER SHIRAZ
A tribute to an amazing individual who was always willing to push the boundaries of expectations. It was his love of fast cars that made this pursuit a little easier, thus the unusual choice for the name of this Shiraz.
Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Elderton’s founder, Neil Ashmead, who sadly passed away far too early in 1997, will remember what a force of nature he was. One suspects he would have been absolutely delighted with this wine, a force of nature itself... This is a wine for enjoying any time over the next ten to fifteen years. Love it. 95 points, Ken Gargett, winepilot.com
2024 WELLINGTON GRENACHE
Named after our maternal Grandfather, who helped Lorraine and Neil to start Elderton Wines.
This is a bright, perfumed grenache with pristine fruit to the fore and oak in the background at most. It’s a modern Australian grenache in the best meaning of those words. 94 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
2024 WINIFRED GRENACHE
Named after our paternal Grandmother.
This is an exciting wine... This wine puts Elderton firmly into the conversation around elite Australian grenache producers. 94 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
ESTATE FAMILY VINEYARDS
2022 BAROSSA GSM
Gold Medal, Royal Adelaide Wine Show
I really enjoyed this modern expression of Barossan Grenache blend. It showed that natural generosity of fruit seen in quality Grenache but also impressive underlying complexity that will build over time. 92 points, Angus Hughson, WinePilot
Very last stocks of the 2022 vintage available. We look forward to sharing the 2024 vintage in coming weeks.
2022 BAROSSA SHIRAZ
This is surely already a contender for one of the best value wines of the year. 94 points, Ken Gargett, winepilot.com
It presents terrific value with a lot of Barossa packed into the bottle, tannins fine and sandy and a seam of fresh acidity as it trails away. 93 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
A heady waft of ripe red berries and a freshly mown meadow framed by eucalyptus trees sets the stage for a grand red berry entrance – plush, opulent and proud. This has rich redcurrant and blackberry speaking in a loud, clear voice, with the solid fruit platform propelled by a firm acid seam. It finishes tight, aided by a cluster of fine-grained tannins, which suggests a long, fruitful life in the cellar.
94 points, David Sly, Decanter (Vintage report Barossa 2022)
2022 BAROSSA CABERNET SAUVIGNON *NEW VINTAGE*
This is splendidly fruited and varietally expressive, showing cassis, violet, thyme, game and assorted nut aromas on the nose. The palate delivers terrific weight and fleshy texture, wonderfully framed by finely infused tannins, finishing sturdy and robust. 94 points, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
The brightness and juicy energy of this Barossa vintage has been beautifully captured in this pure and expressive cabernet. Blackcurrant and swirling chocolate and juicy plum to open on the nose. Then the palate delivers its vibrant fruit load with a refreshing purity and energy. It’s succulent and juicy but with structure and poise. 92 points, RayJordan
2023 BAROSSA MERLOT
Plummy and bright as merlot should be. Hints of fruitcake spice, pressed flowers, milk chocolate, dried herbs, tobacco leaf, cedar and earth. Lovely fleshy fruit on the palate, fine billowing tannins and just a touch of sour cherry bite at the back-end. Really attractive drinking. 92 points, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
2024 EDEN VALLEY RIESLING
Lovely, delicate white orchard florals with superb citrus/lemon flavours and decisive palate cut. Great balance and delivery with aromatics, flavours, acidity all linking hands in finely crafted wine of the highest standard. 95 points, The Vintage Journal SA Wine Guide
...there’s an endearing clover blossom and dried honey tone ... just liminal, somewhere off in the olfactory peripheral vision. And it finishes super stony and composed with energy to burn and I like that, too. Nice one. 93 points and rated special value for money, Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
2024 EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY
As a single site wine, our Eden Valley Chardonnay will always show typicity of the vineyard, whilst varying with what each season brings.
2024 EDEN VALLEY FIELD BLEND
As typically occurs with older vineyard plantings, which are taken from mass selection cuttings and then planted out, there is often several other ‘rogue’ varieties amongst the vines. We have discovered Semillon, Crouchen, White Frontignac and Viognier, all in very small volumes, amongst the red varieties at Mengler Hill. So we picked these separately and have had a creative play, bringing this tiny limited release of just 1212 bottles.
2022 BULLET SHIRAZ
Launched in 2018, we are excited for the third release of this wine. Made to showcase all the hallmarks of good early drinking Barossa Shiraz, the wine has a beautiful richness and is yet extraordinarily supple having been aged in barrels that formerly held our Command Shiraz. It is the curious little parcels of Shiraz from the 2022 vintage that have a chance to shine in this blend.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Helbig Retrospective Tasting @ Cellar Door - 17 May 2025
Join the Elderton Cellar Door team for a rare insight into our museum cellar as we invite you to join us for a tasting experience of six back vintages of Helbig 1915 Shiraz. SOLD OUT.
Melbourne Dinner - 29 May 2025
Join Allister and Karli at Lamaro’s Hotel, in South Melbourne, for dinner matched with current and new release wines from the Elderton and Small Victories Wine Co ranges. SOLD OUT, email karli@eldertonwines.com.au to join the waitlist.
Melbourne Good Food & Wine Show - 30 May-1 June 2025
Ribs & Red @ our barrel hall - 6 June 2025
Join Cameron & Allister for a relaxed long lunch showcasing premium wines from our cellar. A day when glasses are filled and fingers get sticky. For those who like to indulge in some of the finest red wines the Barossa has to offer. Limited tickets remain available - book on our website.
Sydney Dinner - 19 June 2025
Join Allister and Karli at Fix Wine Bar + Restuarant, in the CBD, for dinner matched with current and new release wines from the Elderton and Small Victories Wine Co ranges. Book on our website.
Sydney Good Food & Wine Show - 20-22 June 2025
Perth event - save the date - 17 July 2025
Perth Good Food & Wine Show - 18-20 July 2025
2022 Command Release Event @ Cellar Door save the date - 30 August 2025
Celebrate the release of the 2022 Command and 2023 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon with us at Cellar Door. Save the date, more details to come.
Brisbane event - save the date - 23 October 2025
Brisbane Good Food & Wine Show - 24-26 October 2025
European River Cruise with Cam + Jules - October 2026
As part of a new partnership with Cruising Wine Tours, join Cameron and Jules on an exciting “Rhine and Rhone Revealed Wine Lovers” voyage!
Please visit our website for more details on each of these upcoming events: eldertonwines.com.au/pages/upcoming-events
2026 EUROPEAN RIVER CRUISE WITH CAM + JULES
We are very excited to invite you on a special, once in a lifetime trip.
As part of a new partnership with Cruising Wine Tours, we invite our Loyalty and Wine Club members and friends to join Cameron and Jules on an exciting “Rhine and Rhone Revealed Wine Lovers” voyage, sailing from Amsterdam to Arles on a 15-day/14-night luxury river cruise, departing 13 October 2026, aboard an Avalon Cruises Luxury Suite Ship.
The cruise operators, Avalon Cruises, have created an extraordinary European river cruise holiday. Enjoy wine, food, beautiful views, and stop in some of the most iconic parts of Netherlands, Germany and France.
You will cruise on three beautiful riversthe Rhine, Saône and Rhône Rivers – and this holiday will carry on in your favourite travel memories for a long time to come.
The promoter of this tour, Melbournebased Cruising Wine Tours, has enormous experience in managing European wine experiences and have asked Cameron and Jules to host two onboard, ‘by invitation only’, private wine tastings over the duration of the 15-day cruise.
For these private wine tastings, wines selected from the regions that you will visit will be matched with similar varieties from our Elderton cellars. Cameron and Jules will showcase our Riesling and Shiraz against the best of the Rhine and Rhone regions, and lots more.
Cruise the Rhine, Saône and Rhône rivers with Cameron and Jules in October 2026
Immerse yourself in French and German culture on this fabulous European river cruise along the Rhine, Saône, and Rhône Rivers. A Certified Sommelier will accompany you on the cruise, with presentations, tastings and wine pairings along the way.
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
• All inclusive boutique river cruise sailing in a lavishly appointed room
• All meals on board
• Complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner, as well as sparkling wine with breakfast
• Your choice of daily carefully curated excursions fully hosted by Englishspeaking local experts
• All bookings will receive a gift boxed 750mL bottle of 2016 Command Shiraz, valued at $200
• And more...
SOUNDS GREAT, HOW DO I BOOK?
To be included in the Elderton members and friends cruise, all bookings must be made directly with our accredited travel agent.
Our travel agent’s details are:
David Hull – Travel Managers, 0409 545 664
david.hull@travelmanagers.com.au
More details: tinyurl.com/Elderton-cruise
Cameron and Jules in the Small Victories Cellar Door
OUT AND ABOUT WITH ELDERTON
1. Gwen, celebating her 80th birthday with a selection of Command and Ashmead; 2. Annabel and Bec last week in Brisbane at the Australian Age Championships where Annabel swam in the 50m and 100m Fly and represented the Barossa fantastically!;
3. Cam and Angus at the Tanunda Gather Round celebration earlier this month; 4. Cam and Jules at a wedding in Adelaide; 5. Rebecca Maslin recycling a Shiraz bottle to feed lambs on Caragabal West (12,500 acre property)!
15CLUB LUNCH: 1 MARCH 2025
Thank you to all the 15CLUB members who were able to join us for a long lunch celebration at The Barossa Cellar. A wonderful afternoon of amazing food, some outstanding back vintages and a sneak peek of 2023 Helbig 1915 Shiraz.
15CLUB membership is by annual invitation, to the most remarkable supporters of Elderton. For more information, please contact our Commander Concierge, Jodhi, via email jodhi@eldertonwines.com.au.
