2017 Command Shiraz now available

March 1, 2021

1 March is a special day here at Elderton – it is the global release date of the new vintage of Command Shiraz each year. And today we are excited to release the 2017 Command Shiraz to the world!

Way back in 1894 the Scholz family planted a Shiraz vineyard on the banks of the North Para River in Nuriootpa to allow the family a modest farming income. At the time, little did they know that this vineyard would be highly  celebrated 100+ years on, for being one of the most remarkable vineyards in Australia and the world. The second generation of Ashmeads and Elderton Co-Managing Directors, Allister and Cameron, as the current custodians of a rare piece of Barossa Valley viticultural heritage, continue their parents aspirations and expectations to produce a great wine of the world. The Command is truly an expression of place, and one of which the family intends to preserve for generations to come.

Command is the sum of several small batch picks to ensure we capture every part of the vineyard at optimum flavour concentration. We hand harvested this fruit over three weeks, allowing for the ripening process across the different soil compositions. The 2017 vintage saw us finish later than average, on 12 April. The long and gentle ripening season, peppered with some showers after a winter flush with rain, ensured for intense fruit concentration in the finished wine, with a depth of seamless tannin yet elegance only achieved in great years.

Aroma Lifted ripe plums with hints of Christmas cake spice, and subtle gamey notes

Palate Rich and attractive spicy ripe berries reminiscent of summer pudding, supported by silky tannins that together provide a focused structure, and a powerful yet elegant finish

Celebrating 25 Vintages Of Command Shiraz!

On March heralded the public release of the 2010 Command Shiraz. This great wine also happens to be the 25th release of Command Shiraz. It is being very well received by visitors to Cellar Door, and by wine writers around the country...

This wine is destined to go down as an Australian classic and one of the greatest vintages of Command to date. The Ashmead family believes the 2010 Command is up there with the pinnacle vintages of 1992, 1996 and 2002 and will have the ability to drink young or be cellared into the long term (20 years +).

The wine itself is a powerhouse, yet in the words of James Halliday is still ‘...a very elegant and refined shiraz that fully lives up to its reputation.’ The wine received the outstanding 95 point rating from Halliday, and we believe the accolades will continue to roll in as the wine hits the tables of wine scribes, restaurateurs and general drinkers in the coming months.

We definitely recommend tucking away some of the 2010 Command in your personal cellar, not only because of the wine’s quality, but also it will be a two year wait until the release of the next Command (the 2011 vintage will not being released due to the massive amounts of rain that we received that harvest).

The vineyard that is today known as Elderton, was first planted in 1894 by early German settlers, the Scholz family. In 1916, it was purchased by Samuel Elderton Tolley who built himself a sprawling homestead on the Estate and sold the fruit to his family’s winery.

In 1975, the descendants of Mr Tolley decided to place the vineyard on the market. Due to the very tough times that the Barossa was enduring, there was no interest in the property from local growers or wineries and it remained on the market becoming more derelict annually.

“If you buy the house, I will give you the surrounding 72 acres of old vines for nothing”. This was the proposal offered to Lorraine and Neil Ashmead in 1979. The rambling old homestead looked ideal for a growing family and the Ashmead’s worked tirelessly to salvage and restore a phenomenal treasure of a vineyard.

In 1982 Elderton began producing wines from the Estate. Tough times prevailed, but ultimately the vision of the founders shone through and Elderton is today celebrated as a major reason for the rejuvenation of the Barossa. At present, brothers Cameron and Allister (second generation) work with the Estate vineyard in Nuriootpa and have also purchased other exceptional vineyards in Craneford and Greenock. Their aim is to showcase the absolute best that the Barossa has to offer.

Terroir: The old saying that great wine is made in the vineyard is one that also holds very true at Elderton. The Nurioopta site, where the estate is located, was planted in 1894 and is on the banks of the North Para River. You'll find Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot planted on this site with at an elevation of 275m. Alluvial river silt soils over red and brown clays dominate. The Craneford site is located deep in the Eden Valley ranges. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Chardonnay are planted at an elevation of 390m - 425m.

The soils of Craneford are mineral rich & rocky. The Greenock site is locationed in the Western Barossa. Shiraz, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Mataro, Semillon & Chardonnay are planted at elevations of 330m - 350m. Greenock soils are free draining and rich in ironstone. The goal of the Ashmead family is to produce world class wines from entrenched varieties, grown in the Barossa from our own vineyard holdings. We celebrate the individual terroirs of each of our sites and aim to produce wines that show true regional history and character, varietal definition and a healthy slice of our own personalities.

Organic/Sustainable/Other Certifications: Elderton was the first winery in South Australia to use the Trees for Life program to offset company emissions by planting trees. A solar panel grid, erected in September 2010 is comprised of 168 panels has reduced the winery’s carbon dioxide emissions by at least 55 tones annually. Working with Barossa Council and the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, Elderton is regenerating the banks of the North Para River where it flows through the Estate.

By harvesting rain water from the roofs of the winery buildings, Elderton is water self-sufficient 11 months of the year. In addition, the winery recycles close to 100% of the winery water to a quality level that can be used on the vineyard. We expect to recycle around 5ML of water annually.

The Barossa is Australia's most famous wine region. Comprising of the Barossa Valley and Eden Valley, it is home to some of the oldest Shiraz vineyards in the world, acclaimed Rieslings and iconic wine brands. The Barossa is a gourmet lover's paradise with in a strong cultural heritage reflected in its wine, food, buildings and people. Diverse experiences including festivals, events, the arts, bushwalking, golf, cycling and shopping can be enjoyed amongst a stunning Australian landscape of rolling hills, manicured vineyards, and closely linked towns and villages.

For more information on visiting the Barossa please go to the official site at www.barossa.com