Winemaker "Elegant, driven & focused. Aromas of Fresh stonefruit and fig with hints of macadamia, the palate is fresh and approachable - attractive peach and nectarine, supported by a soft underlying acidity and creamy texture with harmonious oak. Drink now or cellar confidently for 5+ years."

The Elderton Vineyard began when early German settlers gave the name to a vineyard on the banks of the North Para River in Nuriootpa in 1894. In 1916 it was purchased by Samuel Elderton Tolley who built himself a sprawling homestead on the estate and sold fruit to his family’s winery. In 1979 Lorraine and Neil Ashmead were given a proposal, “If you buy the house, I will give you the surrounding 72 acres of old vines for nothing.” The rambling old homestead looked ideal for a growing family and the Ashmead’s worked tirelessly to salvage and restore this treasure of a vineyard.

In 1982, the first wine was made under the Elderton label. 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. In 1993 Elderton shot to national prominence after winning the Jimmy Watson Trophy. International success ensued.

The second generation took the reins of the business in 2003. Brothers Cameron and Allister believe very strongly in continuing the traditions that began a generation earlier, on the Nuriootpa vineyard. They want to take the family company to the next level, so together they devised a plan to buy great vineyards in other significant sub appellations of the Barossa. Through using sustainable practices, the hope is that the next generation of the Ashmead family have a lot to work with when they are at the helm.

We sit down with Cameron and Allister from Elderton - Read article

Eden Valley is a wine making region sharing a boundary with the Barossa Valley and is dotted with the rolling hills of the Barossa Ranges. The Eden valley competes with the Clare Valley for the top-spot in high-quality Riesling production and the grapes thrive in the cool climate of the region. The other varietal that is important to this area is Shiraz and this is responsible for some of Eden Valley’s most highly acclaimed wines – the styles differ from those produced in south eastern Australia in that they have riper and smoother tannins and more ripe black fruit aromas with sweet spice notes. The wines are extremely well-balanced and both the reds and whites garner a great deal of complexity during the ageing process.

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “The aromatics are a delight and dance a wonderful tune of maya lemon, homemade lemonade, jasmine in all its perfumed glory, more white flowers and the maritime climate speaks in volumes. Silky texture with flavours comparable to the bouquet; lemon juice and zest melded with stony minerality. Yuzu too but spiced – super racy. I thoroughly enjoy the pretty floral character which softens the wine slightly. Extremely satisfying, moreish and approachable now, but does offer the ‘keeper’ a further 5+ years of cellarage ahead of it. In fact, a few years in the cellar will bring this wine on… Full of energy, lots of tension and the finish is long and zesty. Wonderful intensity for a wine of this price. To summarise, a very classy offering from team Domaine Naturaliste… Served using Zalto Bordeaux glassware.”

96+ Points - Magdalena Sienkiewicz "Expressive bouquet filled with rich citrus, nectarines, minerals and gracious white flowers. Superb intensity and class. The flavours show fantastic layers mirroring the lavish perfume. The palate has a fuller feel if compared directly with the Discovery Chardonnay. There is a lot to like in the Floris with its impressive depth and mouth-watering flavours. A hint of spice completes this generous wine perfectly. Such a beauty, which simply doesn’t stop giving. Sampled after decanting and using Zalto Bordeaux glassware."

Being named as "the newest buzz in Margaret River", Domaine Naturaliste is the project of Bruce Dukes, a highly experienced winemaker with a career spanning over 25 years... it is Bruce’s belief that a holistic approach reaps the greatest rewards, both for the wine and the environment.

Whilst completing his degree, Bruce worked as assistant winemaker for Francis Ford Coppola at Niebaum- Coppola in the Napa Valley and has also had a significant stint at the great Pierro Winery closer to home in Margaret River. Bruce approaches winemaking with the passion of an Agronomist, beginning with a deep understanding of soils and sustainable farming practices, it is Bruce’s belief that a holistic approach reaps the greatest rewards, both for the wine and the environment.

Domaine Naturaliste vineyards are located in the heart of the highly regarded Wilyabrup sub-region, located on the north eastern coast of Margaret River. The vines are 7 km inland from the magnificent Indian ocean. The gravelly loam soils provide a stable foundation for the 20 year old grapevines, allowing them to achieve the perfect balance. The maritime climate is characterised by cool wet winters, and long gentle summers. The Karri Trees that dominate the landscape here, provide shelter from the prevailing westerly and south-westerly winds that blow in from the Indian Ocean, making the area a pristine environment for growing high quality grapes.

The flagship wine of Domaine Naturaliste is the Morus Cabernet Sauvignon which is sourced from the very best and very oldest vineyard in the Bruce’s portfolio. The Morus Cabernet vines are some of the most coveted and the vineyard is considered to be amongst the most elite sites in all of Margaret River.

Domaine Naturaliste Wins Best Value Winery of the Year in Wine Companion Awards - Read more

Perched all the way over on Australia’s most south westerly tip is Margaret River. A region that accounts for less than 5% of Australia’s wine production but is responsible for 20% of the premium wines and the lion’s share of awards. Probably best known as the region that produces some of the new world’s finest Cabernet, Margaret River specialises not only in red and white, Bordeaux style wines but the region is also gaining a reputation for premium Chardonnays that rival some of the best found in Burgundy. Deep Woods have scooped up a multitude of awards across their range, including gold medals and a staggering 98 points awarded for their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Nocturne’s 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is receiving plenty of recognition and all but one of Flowstone’s wines have been awarded 95 points or above. The list of awards given to this tiny area in Australia’s most isolated region is endless and it’s no wonder that Margaret River is dominating Australia’s premium sector.

97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “The bouquet is immensely appealing, offering scents of orange and rose blossom, orchard fruit, quince, spring flowers and a little citrus. More classical and missing those petrol aromas found in some Aussie Rieslings. Clearly, the wine is young, incisive but carries itself with much confidence. Bracing acidity is missing which allows the pure fruit flavours of apricot and tangerine peel to shine. Rose petal and jasmine (essence-of-Gewürztraminer) which is fascinating. The profile is pure, spiced and I love the dash of white pepper and phenolic grip on the finish. The finish is very long indeed and will develop for a decade or more in the bottle. I’m detecting some salt after a minute or two and more white pepper. Incredibly charming, thoughtfully produced and one of the most classical renditions of this varietal found in Australia. As ever Owen bottles unfined, unfiltered and untinkered…”

Despite being the second smallest state in Australia, Victoria is home to over 600 wineries, more than any other wine-producing state. However, Victoria does not produce the most wine, as rather than producing mass quantities of cheaper wine, its wineries tend to be smaller and more boutique in style. The cool climate here is produced by the coastal areas and this means that a wide range of wines can be made, from stunningly complex Chardonnay and delicate Pinot Noir in the Yarra Yarra Valley, to savoury and rich Shiraz from Heathcote and iconic fortified wines from Rutherglen.

Victoria is fast becoming one of our favourite regions with many new producers joining us from here, including Shadowfax, Grey Sands, and Ghost Rock.

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “The Upper Ngumby vineyard is within the confines of Yarra Glen, sloping gently east. It is protected from the late afternoon sun by the Christmas Hills, rising up to the west. The fruit was barrel fermented with 100% wild yeast, matured on lees for eight months with some secondary fermentation to create depth and finesse, which team Soumah succeed effortlessly. The nose offers a mix of lemon zest, minéralité and ozone. Serenely pure in two words. The palate is long and sophisticated. Full of drive, vigour and energy – lovely freshness and very moreish. This will flourish with more time in the bottle, drink now to 2025.”

96+ Points - Magdalena Sienkiewicz "Elegant struck match on the nose reveals white nectarine with aeration. Although it is slightly leaner than Hexham, there is still an incredible sense of precision here. The palate is textural bliss as it balances effortlessly between ripe stone fruit, citrus and minerals. Svelte and perfectly composed – a testament to Soumah’s great vineyards and skilful winemaking. Delicious today, but a little rest in the cellar will be rewarded."

Unravelling the story behind the exotically named Soumah, it is in fact an abbreviation of South of Maroondah, hinting at its location in the heart of Yarra Valley. Their wines however are far from exotic and instead they brim with a cool climate character and provenance of the majestic Yarra Valley. The perfect state of balance, calmness and composure of Soumah wines are expressed across the range, with the flagship wines receiving the graceful name ‘Equilibrio’. The global press wax lyrical with strings of medals including the Decanter Gold winning Equilibrio Chardonnay and Decanter Platinum Equilibrio Pinot Noir.

Located just east of Melbourne in Victoria and surrounding the Yarra River, Yarra Valley enjoys a mix of influences both Mediterranean and continental with the two main soil types being the bright red, fertile, volcanic soil found mainly around Seville. Yarra Valley has a climate slightly cooler than Bordeaux enabling a range of grapes from Bordeaux varieties such as Cabernet, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Sauvignon and Semillon to Rhone varieties such as Shiraz, Mourvedre, Viognier and Roussanne, but it is the cool climate varieties, most notably Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that the region is becoming most well known for, rivalling the great wines that are coming out of Margaret River and Tasmania.

It is known as the birthplace of Victoria with vines first being planted back in 1838, the region’s wine industry grew rapidly up until the early part of the 21st Century when the wine industry ceased production due to increased demand for fortified wine. It wasn’t until the 1960’s when names such as Dr Bailey Carrodus of Yarra Yerring and Dr John Middleton began replanting that the regions industry was revived. These names who were responsible for bringing the region back to life, have inspired a new generation of winemaker to continue taking the region forward and now Yarra Valley’s wine industry is thriving.

The Yarra Valley has a reputation across Australia as being a region that is buzzing with creativity. With experimental winemakers, pushing the boundaries, creating a culture of ground breaking, innovative winemaking that is driving Yarra Valley’s reputation as one of the most exciting regions in Australia today. This tendency towards pushing the boundaries of winemaking has spawned a minimalist movement in the region and you can find many producers that are creating wines with the absolute minimum of interference, sometimes bottling the wines unfined or unfiltered.

One of the most exciting producers that we’ve discovered from Yarra Valley is Hoddles Creek Estate, owned by winemaker Franco D’Anna. Franco specialises in creating Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With the majority of their plantings in the cooler upper Yarra Valley, Hoddles Creek keep to the Yarra ethos of minimal, gentle winemaking and have created a range of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays that are up there with some of Australia’s very best.

93+ - 94 Points - Stuart McCloskey “At this youthful stage, more Sauvignon on the nose than Sémillon. Intensely aromatic with stone fruits, grapefruit and blackcurrant leaf. Herbal, floral and ripe… There’s a synergy between the bouquet and the palate which is equally vibrant and ‘alive’ – some gooseberry and elderflower. Lovely weight (which is often lacking at this level) and the soft textural feel will appeal to many. I love the fresh minty finish, I detect Florence fennel too (eaten raw – you’ll see what I am referring too). Appetising and delicious now, not really a wine to put in the cellar, but a few years will do it no harm.”

Being named as "the newest buzz in Margaret River", Domaine Naturaliste is the project of Bruce Dukes, a highly experienced winemaker with a career spanning over 25 years... it is Bruce’s belief that a holistic approach reaps the greatest rewards, both for the wine and the environment.

Whilst completing his degree, Bruce worked as assistant winemaker for Francis Ford Coppola at Niebaum- Coppola in the Napa Valley and has also had a significant stint at the great Pierro Winery closer to home in Margaret River. Bruce approaches winemaking with the passion of an Agronomist, beginning with a deep understanding of soils and sustainable farming practices, it is Bruce’s belief that a holistic approach reaps the greatest rewards, both for the wine and the environment.

Domaine Naturaliste vineyards are located in the heart of the highly regarded Wilyabrup sub-region, located on the north eastern coast of Margaret River. The vines are 7 km inland from the magnificent Indian ocean. The gravelly loam soils provide a stable foundation for the 20 year old grapevines, allowing them to achieve the perfect balance. The maritime climate is characterised by cool wet winters, and long gentle summers. The Karri Trees that dominate the landscape here, provide shelter from the prevailing westerly and south-westerly winds that blow in from the Indian Ocean, making the area a pristine environment for growing high quality grapes.

The flagship wine of Domaine Naturaliste is the Morus Cabernet Sauvignon which is sourced from the very best and very oldest vineyard in the Bruce’s portfolio. The Morus Cabernet vines are some of the most coveted and the vineyard is considered to be amongst the most elite sites in all of Margaret River.

Domaine Naturaliste Wins Best Value Winery of the Year in Wine Companion Awards - Read more

Perched all the way over on Australia’s most south westerly tip is Margaret River. A region that accounts for less than 5% of Australia’s wine production but is responsible for 20% of the premium wines and the lion’s share of awards. Probably best known as the region that produces some of the new world’s finest Cabernet, Margaret River specialises not only in red and white, Bordeaux style wines but the region is also gaining a reputation for premium Chardonnays that rival some of the best found in Burgundy. Deep Woods have scooped up a multitude of awards across their range, including gold medals and a staggering 98 points awarded for their Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2017. Nocturne’s 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is receiving plenty of recognition and all but one of Flowstone’s wines have been awarded 95 points or above. The list of awards given to this tiny area in Australia’s most isolated region is endless and it’s no wonder that Margaret River is dominating Australia’s premium sector.