Elderton Buzz April 2026 Newsletter

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS ON MENGLER HILL BUZZ APRIL 2026

It is with much excitement that we now release 2024 SIXFOLD Shiraz from old vines on our newest vineyard estate on top of Mengler Hill in Eden Valley – our first single vineyard Shiraz from Eden Valley. The wine is named in honour of the six kids in the third generation of the Ashmead Family (Charlotte, Sophie, Angus, William, Annabel and Louis), who we hope will one day follow Al, Bec, Cam and Jules and carry forward the legacy of this remarkable property!

With a pedigree that made it highly sought after among the Barossa’s winemaking young bloods and bloody legends alike, the vineyard was purchased by the Ashmead family at the end of 2022, during an already challenging time for the wine industry. It is the family’s belief that this investment will ultimately help secure Elderton’s long‑term future.

The vineyard sits atop Mengler hill and at its highest it is 550m above sea level, and was originally settled and owned by the Pohlner family who planted vineyards in the early 1860’s, but the oldest living treasured vines still on the vineyard were planted in 1941.

The vineyard is a place of absolute beauty and splendour, with natural springs, and an abundance of native flora and fauna – including ancient gum trees, yacca plants, kangaroos, native birds, bees, butterflies, and quite a few Eastern brown snakes!

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS ON MENGLER HILL

Perched high up on the hillside of the Eden Valley it is one of only two vineyards that shares spectacular views down through the Eden Valley to the east and Barossa Valley down to the west. This beautifully positioned vineyard has a base geology that is from the Cambrian age (nearly 550 million years old) the soil on Mengler Hill is shallow, skeletal, grey sandy loam mixed with both ironstone and quartz through orange and yellow clay below.

The climate is continental, but the altitude provides good rainfall above Barossa average (700mm compared to the Barossa Valley at 450mm), or at least it should when mother nature follows the script! The ripening process is slow and happens later than in the Barossa Valley, allowing perfect maturity, both physiological and phenolic and this along with the vineyard’s high altitude allows for slow ripening that leads to great colour, and a very complex yet elegant style of Barossa Shiraz.

The Ashmead Family, as the new custodians of this beautiful vineyard, plan

to continue to run this vineyard akin to our centenarian vineyards in Nuriootpa and Greenock, utilising sustainable and organic principles to further build quality, vitality and longevity.

This new release of only 1800 bottles is destined to become a modern classic.

“No doubt it will be a collectable first edition for Elderton fans”

With tempered concentration, some beautiful red and blue fruits, and fine structure. Among our winemaking team the solid belief is that 2024 was also the perfect vintage to kick off with SIXFOLD.

Reviewed by Ken Gargett for Wine Pilot, he writes “A new wine from the team at Elderton is certain to elicit serious interest from wine lovers. The fruit comes from

their newest vineyard which sits on top of Mengler Hill in Eden Valley and is their first single vineyard Shiraz from that region. Maturation is in a combination of new and older French oak. Just 1,866 bottles released. Dark maroon with a vibrant purple rim, there is a gorgeous nose, redolent of chocolate, mocha, cassis, plums, blackcurrants, vanillin oak and aniseed. Love it. Seductive texture is combined with serious underlying power with a fine line of acidity running the full journey. The wine really does have brilliant length and finishes with silky tannins. Enjoy this over the next fifteen years without hesitation. A cracker. 96 points.”

It is our recommendation that you do not miss out in getting some of this to enjoy now or with many years ahead from the cellar.

This first‑edition release offers an opportunity to become part of the SIXFOLD story, one we hope you’ll enjoy as part of your collection, now and into the future.

“It takes a while to unfold and does so beautifully when opened and left alone for three or four hours before drinking” - Des Houghton

A STANDOUT VINTAGE FOR GRENACHE

With immense pride, we share the release of our 2025 single‑vineyard Grenache wines, Wellington and Winifred, two wines that are deeply personal to our family and shaped by very special vineyard sites.

These wines are named in honour of our grandparents, whose influence and spirit continue to guide Elderton today.

Wellington is named after our maternal grandfather, who played an important role in helping Lorraine and Neil Ashmead establish Elderton in its early years. Larger than life, with a sharp eye for opportunity and a deep love for Barossa wines, he would no doubt have taken great joy in seeing this vineyard come into its own. The wine is drawn from old bush vines planted in 1969 on our Greenock vineyard, rooted in sandy soils over clay and ironstone. It reflects its Barossa Valley home with generosity and warmth, bright red fruits, gentle spice and a supple, flowing palate.

Winifred is named after our paternal grandmother, “Nan” to us who would travel from Gippsland to babysit, tend

the rose bushes at Nuriootpa, and happily enjoy a glass of wine in the afternoon. One of her favourite sayings was, “Red wine is a party!” Winifred Grenache is grown high on Mengler Hill in Eden Valley, from bush vines planted in lean, rocky soils at altitude. The cooler conditions and elevation bring purity, lift and fine detail, resulting in a Grenache of elegance, freshness and quiet confidence.

While the vineyards are very different, the intention behind both wines is the same. Each comes from a small, naturally low‑yielding block, farmed with care and made in very limited quantities. These are thoughtful, site‑driven wines, expressions of place, season and family, rather than wines made for scale.

The 2025 vintage was one of the earliest and driest we’ve experienced, with everything ripening at once a rare and challenging moment for our winemaking team. While yields were low, the quality was exceptional, delivering wines of remarkable vibrancy, expressive aromatics and finely integrated tannins.

Those qualities shine clearly in both Wellington and Winifred.

Last year’s inaugural Grenache releases were warmly embraced by our members and sold out quickly, with many missing the opportunity to secure bottles. With similarly limited quantities again this year, we expect demand to outweigh supply.

For this reason, these wines are offered via member allocation, ensuring fairness and giving as many people as possible the chance to enjoy them. This same allocation approach will also apply to future low‑volume vintages of Command Shiraz and Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon, as seasonal conditions increasingly shape what is available.

From our family to yours, the 2025 Wellington and Winifred Grenaches are a celebration of legacy, landscape and the people behind the names. We hope these wines find a place at your table, shared with the people you enjoy most, either now or in the years ahead.

OUR WINES

An outline of our current release wines, now available in Cellar Door and online. Please contact our Cellar Door team if you have any questions on these wines - phone 08 8568 7878.

ELITE SINGLE VINEYARDS

2022 COMMAND SHIRAZ

Command is the ultimate expression of Elderton Shiraz — powerful, layered and unmistakably Barossa. Dense dark fruits, spice and savoury complexity are wrapped in fine tannins and exceptional length. A wine built for longevity, confidence and special occasions.

95 points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

97 points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal

97 points - Ken Gargett, winepilot.com

95 points - Angus Hughson, Vinous Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2026 Report

2023 ASHMEAD CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Sourced from exceptional Barossa vineyards, Ashmead Cabernet is refined, structured and deeply expressive. Dark cassis, graphite and savoury herbs are framed by seamless oak and fine tannins. Elegant yet authoritative, this is Cabernet with presence and poise.

95 points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

96 points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal

95 points - Ken Gargett, winepilot.com

2024 SIXFOLD SHIRAZ *New Release*

Sixfold is a striking single‑vineyard Shiraz from the heights of Mengler Hill in Eden Valley. Cool‑climate aromatics, dark berry fruit and fine structure combine to create a wine of clarity and tension. Powerful yet refined, this is a distinctive new chapter for Elderton.

96 Points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

2023 HELBIG 1915 SHIRAZ

From vines planted in 1915, Helbig Shiraz delivers depth, intensity and quiet power. Dark spice and earthy complexity unfold with precision, supported by firm but polished tannins. A benchmark Barossa Shiraz with remarkable ageing potential.

96 points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

95 points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal

95 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

EXCEPTIONAL SITES

2022 ODE TO LORRAINE CSM

A classic Bordeaux‑inspired blend that balances structure, richness and drinkability. Cabernet provides backbone, Shiraz brings depth, and Merlot adds softness and flow. Harmonious and approachable now, with the capacity to develop gracefully over time.

94 points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

96 points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

94+ points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal

93 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

2023 NEIL ASHMEAD GRAND TOURER SHIRAZ

Grand Tourer is generous, vibrant Barossa Shiraz designed for immediate enjoyment. Juicy dark fruits, subtle spice and smooth tannins make this an easy yet satisfying expression of the variety.

A crowd‑pleasing style with unmistakable Elderton character.

94 points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

95 points - Andrew Caillard MW, The Vintage Journal

95 points - Ray Jordan & Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

93 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

2024 ASHMEAD FAMILY RESERVE SHIRAZ

The Ashmead Family Reserve represents the pinnacle of Elderton’s estate winemaking. Selected from the finest parcels and crafted only in exceptional vintages, it offers depth, complexity and precision in equal measure. A wine of heritage, intent and longevity.

95 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

96 points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

97 points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

2025 WELLINGTON GRENACHE *New Release*

Wellington Grenache showcases the power and generosity of Barossa Grenache. Ripe red fruits, savoury spice and earthy depth combine with a supple, flowing palate. A confident, expressive style with real presence.

2025 WINIFRED GRENACHE *New Release*

Winifred Grenache is bright, fragrant and beautifully expressive. Red fruits, florals and gentle spice flow across a silky, finely textured palate. Elegant and modern, this is Grenache that celebrates freshness and site.

ESTATE FAMILY VINEYARDS

2025 BAROSSA GSM

Grenache leads with purity and energy, supported by Shiraz for mid‑palate plushness and Mataro for savoury depth. Bright berry fruits, a hint of musk and earthy spice flow into a vibrant, seamless palate. A fresh, modern Barossa blend designed for immediate enjoyment.

Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2026 Report 94 points - Erin Larkin - The Wine Advocate

2024 BAROSSA SHIRAZ

A classic Barossa Shiraz with richness, balance and approachability. Dark fruits and spice are supported by soft tannins and subtle oak. Versatile, generous and unmistakably Barossa.

2022 BAROSSA CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Estate‑grown fruit from Nuriootpa and Craneford delivers a full‑bodied, confident Barossa Cabernet. Rich black forest fruits, dark chocolate and savoury herbal notes are framed by older French oak, finishing with freshness and poise. A classic Elderton style with excellent cellaring potential.

Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines 2025

91 points - Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion

94 points - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

92 points - Ray Jordan & Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

90 points - Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate

2024 BAROSSA MERLOT

A vibrant, medium‑bodied Barossa Merlot with supple texture and bright red‑fruit charm. Spicy red currant, cherry and blackberry notes are lifted by subtle leafy and herbal tones, with gentle French oak adding polish rather than weight. Elegant, balanced and drinking beautifully now, with the structure to reward short‑ to mid‑term cellaring.

93 points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

92 points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

Pure, precise and finely structured, Eden Valley Riesling delivers lifted florals, citrus and mineral drive. The palate is tight and refreshing, with vibrant acidity and impressive length. A wine of clarity and long‑term promise.

95 points - Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot

93 points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

2025 EDEN VALLEY CHARDONNAY

Sourced from elevated Eden Valley vineyards, this Chardonnay combines freshness with quiet complexity. Citrus, stone fruit and subtle oak are carried by a finely textured palate. Elegant, balanced and confidently restrained.

92 points - Ken Gargett & Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

2024 EDEN VALLEY FIELD BLEND

A naturally expressive field blend from Eden Valley, showcasing freshness, complexity and site character. Bright fruit, gentle spice and savoury undertones sit within a lively, textured palate.

Distinctive, engaging and wonderfully drinkable.

2023 BULLET SHIRAZ

Bullet Shiraz is bold, generous and unmistakably Barossa. Ripe dark fruits, spice and plush tannins combine to create a rich, full‑flavoured style that delivers immediate impact. Approachable, confident and great value, this is Shiraz made to please.

2024 DUKE OF WELLINGTON OLD VINE SHIRAZ VP

Duke of Wellington was the name of Elderton’s tawny port in the 1980s and reviving it for this wine is a tribute to family and history. It honours Lorraine’s late father, Wellington (known as Duke) who first discovered and purchased the Nuriootpa property in the late 1970s, setting Elderton’s story in motion. It also nods to Cam’s wife, Jules’ winemaking heritage as fifth generation of Campbells of Rutherglen, where fortified wines were an enduring part of family life.

Made from old vine Shiraz grown at Nuriootpa, this VP is rich and decadent, layered with dark juicy berry compote, warming spice, a creamy backbone and long depth of tannin with fruit sweetness and spirit dancing on the palate. Delicious now but deserves to spend some time in the cellar before opening. A fitting tribute to legacy, tradition and where it all began.

WINERY AND VINEYARD UPDATE

VINTAGE 2026 NOTES FROM JULES ASHMEAD - MARCH 2026

We welcomed our vintage crew in early February. We have winemakers in training from South Africa, France, Italy, NZ, Hungary and Australia.

After a very dry lead into vintage we cautiously began harvesting our Greenock Shiraz in late February. Given the heat our expected yields are low. After picking our first few reds we had a rain event which really hit us hard, with rainfall from 20mm at Greenock to 50mm at Mengler Hill. Despite the worry which comes with rain as we near harvest, it was a welcome relief and the vine response from this rain has been very positive, giving them the energy to carry on to fully ripen their crops.

The steadying effect of the rain has been a huge benefit to our wines, we are pressing off currently some of the first picks from Greenock and our first pick of Command is in a Tulip fermenter looking good. Our Wellington Grenache is also in a tulip fermetner, where it will spend another 2 days before pressing to old oak for malolactic fermentation. Our second and third pass of Command will happen on Wednesday after a week of warm dry weather.

Tomorrow we are harvesting at Mengler Hill where we will do some trials with small volumes of Viognier to see how we can best make use of this variety,

whether it is co fermented with Shiraz or used to make a white wine.

Looks like we will harvest our Cabernet Sauvignon for Ode to Lorraine and Ashmead late next week which will round out the harvesting part a huge relief for us to have all our fruit safe in the winery and our vines can then enjoy some Autumn sun with a few showers before heading into dormancy.

IN THE VINEYARD WITH CONRAD POHLINGER - MARCH 2026

We came into this year off another dry winter. Rainfall was low through May and June and although things improved, we didn’t see things catch up to average. One upside was that germination of competitive grasses was inhibited so our later emerging flowering cover crops were prodigious this year. Despite this, we were able to irrigate to fill the soils to a good depth, enabling us to start this year with healthy growth and delay starting to irrigation until December essential for keeping berry size small and driving concentration of flavor. Thankfully there were no significant frost events this year, there was a uncharacteristic November night that got below freezing but didn’t cause us any meaningful damage.

A cool November with a few helpful showers meant flowering was long and slow but we had good fruit set in the end with some nice loose bunches. Summer brought our first significant heat wave

events for a few years with two spells reaching into the 40’s °C. The first we were well prepared for, but vines seemed to struggle a little more than expected, most likely from not being adapted to these events. The second heat wave was a bit of a monster with 6 days over 35°C in a row and the peak reaching 44°C. The vines seemed to have adapted well by this point so we saw far less impacts, despite it being more severe. We try to keep ground covered with dry grasses through summer to help insulate the soils from the severity of the heat so this likely helped keep vines happy.

Having had a flat rainfall graph all year, February brought a sudden summer storm. Forecasts had us on edge with 70 100mm being predicted at one point, thankfully this didn’t eventuate and although we got 20 30mm in Barossa Valley, it was timed well so that it won’t create dilution of flavor with harvest not beginning for another week or two so vines have time to reset. Already a couple of days on we could see berry size shrinking back down. A week or so later and it could have been a very different story.

UPCOMING EVENTS

As much as we love welcoming you to the Barossa, we also enjoy coming to you. Each year, we plan a handful of events around Australia (and beyond), creating opportunities to share new releases and catch up over a glass or two, closer to home.

Good Food & Wine Show Dates

• Melbourne 29 31 May 2026

• Sydney 19 21 June 2026

• Perth Good 17 19 July 2026

• Brisbane 23 25 October 2026

Gold Coast Wine Dinner - Little Truffle - 17 April 2026

SOLD OUT

A four‑course menu will be paired with a curated selection of Elderton wines and hosted by Allister Ashmead.

Friends Don’t Make Friends With Salad Lunch - 9 May 2026

SOLD OUT

A retrospective tasting of the iconic 1915 Helbig Shiraz at Elderton, followed by a three course lunch at the legendary Vintners Bar & Grill with the star of the show being a tomahawk steak with all the trimmings, and perfectly matched wines.

Melbourne Dinner - 28 May 2026

SOLD OUT

Join Cameron, Jules and Jodhi for a memorable evening at the iconic Naughtons Hotel, nestled in the heart of Parkville.

Ribs & Reds @ Elderton - 5 June 2026

Join Cameron and Allister for our most loved annual experience — a relaxed long lunch celebrating the very best of Elderton wines. This is a day for full glasses, sticky fingers, and unapologetic enjoyment. It’s not for the faint‑hearted, it’s for those who relish bold flavours, warm hospitality, and some of the finest red wines the Barossa can offer.

Friday Lunch Club lunch at The Barossa Cellar- save the date - 26 June 2026

Sydney Dinner - 18 June 2026

Join us at Bibo Wine Bar for an intimate evening of food and wine, featuring a four course menu with thoughtfully matched wines. Set in a relaxed, welcoming space, this guided dining experience unfolds at an easy pace, with insight into each pairing along the way. Limited seats available.

Perth Dinner - Save the date - 16 July 2026

To be held at Intuition Wine & Kitchen, Subiaco, hosted by Allister Ashmead. Tickets yet to be released.

A Retrospective Tasting - Save the date - 1 August 2026

Hosted in our Barossa Cellar Door by Allister Ashmead this tasting flight offers a unique opportunity to delve into some treasures from our Duke of Wellington Cellar Tickets yet to be released.

2023 Command Release Lunch @ Cellar Door

Save the date - 29 August 2026

Celebrate the release of the 2023 Command and 2024 Ashmead Cabernet Sauvignon with us at Cellar Door. Save the date, more details to come.

Brisbane Dinner - save the date - 22 October 2026

We’re delighted to return to Brisbane for a very special wine dinner at E’cco Bistro, one of the city’s most respected dining institutions. Tickets yet to be released.

European River Cruise with Cam + Jules - October 2026

LIMITED CABINS REMAINING

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 upcom ing events: eldertonwines.com.au/pages/upcoming events

Send your snaps of Elderton out and about to jack@eldertonwines.com.au

1. The Ashmead Family celebrating Lorraine’s 80th Birthday at Vintners Barossa

2. Al and Lorraine at Otherness Wines

3. Celebrating Al’s 50th Birthday with friends at Elderton

4. Allister in Hong Kong for the Watsons Wine Grand Tasting 2025, held at the stunning Grand Hyatt Hong Kong

5. The mighty Nuriootpa Tigers Football Club took out the 2025 Barossa & Gawler Premiership. Al & Cam are pictured with the Cup and players Nick & Brad celebrating the win

6. Brock and Aaron accepting the trophy for the 2024 Small Victories Grenache Mataro which won the Trophy for Best Grenache Blend at the 2025 Barossa Wine Show.