Ever been dressed in full leather and been scared witless? I have…

by Cameron Ashmead

If the headline got you and you are reading further….  Goodo! And welcome to Elderton’s light reading blog. I know it has been a while, but I am back! It has been months, maybe even years since the last instalment and again it has been extreme action stations at Elderton, but I’ll focus on the last month or so. Let’s talk leather and scariness first. You can see from the photo below I was lucky enough to be invited to the new Bend Motorsport Park last week outside Adelaide. Amazing facility, amazing day. We got to do a multitude of motorsport disciplines. The highlight undoubtedly of the day was riding pillion on the back of a current Superbike with a 3 time Aussie and 1 time Chinese champion Daniel Falzon. Don’t get me wrong I like going fast, but this was another level. After only 3.6km I was very happy to jump off. It required a full medical to go on, which still didn’t stop maximum heart rate being reached because of the insane speeds (220kmh+) and doing monos down the main straight, and, oh – through the corners!

The family and I have just enjoyed a post-vintage holiday on the Goldie.  Even the parents-in-law came up for the junket. Although they did pay for dinner at the Northcliffe Surf Life Saving Club thankfully. The most surprising thing about the whole trip is that we got my father-in-law (bottom left) to smile in a photo. I think he had a good time admittedly and the smile may have had something to do with him being awarded an Order of Australia medal for his services to the wine industry. Congratulations again Colin!

I actually have been working. There have been some great trips away to talk about the recent releases of Command Shiraz and Ashmead Cabernet. One of the highlights was going to KL, where I was treated to a great lunch at Jarrod’s (see photo) Butcher Block Restaurant.

Otherwise vintage this year was incredible. I know we always say this (apart from the #&$! 2011 vintage), but we are blessed with the climate in the Barossa. The whole team again did a cracking job to firstly grow great fruit and then vinify it in the winery. We will be looking very forward to showing you these wines in the near future. One thing that is sad about vintage is saying goodbye to all the vintage workers, who almost become family. In our household we had little “Frenchie Marie”, who was amazing and helped with everyday life. We tried to make her an Aussie, but she refused vegemite continuously, however she did surprisingly take to the Port Adelaide Power. Here she is after a victorious game with little Gussy dressed in team colours outside Adelaide Oval.

 
Onwards and Upwards!

Cameron Ashmead

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#barossa valley wine tours