April 2008
Millamolong Estate, located in the picturesque, rolling hills of the Orange region, has recently released its 2007 ‘24 Goals’ Riesling, 2007 ’56 Miles’ Shiraz and a new wine to the range, the 2007 ‘Isabelle’s Ghost’ Merlot.
“Our new Merlot is named after Isabelle”, commented owner James Ashton. “She was a young lass that we believe came to violent end at the hands of a jealous lover in the old Cobb & Co coach house on the property. We now use this historic building for guest accommodation, and a few visitors have mentioned that they’ve been greeted by young Isabelle’s lonely apparition.”
“There is definitely a correlation between the details of the story, and the amount of Merlot consumed,” explained James’s son Andrew Ashton, who is also involved in the running of Millamolong Estate.
The ‘24 Goals’ Riesling is named after the combined polo handicap of the four Ashton brothers (including James Ashton’s father). This qualified them for the most prestigious British polo tournaments of the 1930’s. It was after successful tours of the UK and USA that James’s father purchased Millamolong Station.
“As most of the industry knows, the 2007 vintage was a tough one, with serious drought conditions plaguing the region. We had to minimise watering, and some of the vines had to fend for themselves,” described James. “Notwithstanding that, we’re happy with our inaugural Merlot, and the quality that our vineyard continues to produce.”
Mar 2008
Millamolong Estate has recently joined forces with NSW Distributor ‘Walker Wines’. Walker Wines focuses on marketing premium wines within the Sydney metropolitan and Blue Mountains regions of NSW.
“We believe that the team at Walker Wines is a good fit for our brand,” commented Millamolong Estate owner Mr James Ashton. “We have been steadily building our distribution around the Orange and Cowra regions, and wanted to take the next step and broaden distribution within a manageable area.”
Walker Wines will take on the Millamolong Estate portfolio which comprises;
“The Millamolong Estate wines will add an Orange region brand to our portfolio,” said Malcolm Walker, Director of Walker Wines. “We have a small, premium portfolio including brands from Mudgee, Yarra Valley, Hunter Valley and New Zealand. The Orange region is certainly becoming more recognisable as a premium producer and we’re confident that Millamolong will be well received. The Millamolong property offers such a rich history, and the wines showcase Orange’s regionality.”
For further information, samples or images please contact:
Feb 2008
The picturesque grounds of Millamolong Estate are being transformed from the renowned polo
field to host the second outing of the Silver Foxes Rugby team on March 8, 2008.
The Silver Foxes, which boasts over 350 Wallaby test caps, will be dusting off their boots for
charity in the 2008 Harper Bernays Rugby Challenge. This is the second time that the Silver
Foxes have got together, with the first outing raising over $60,000.
The Silver Foxes will be taking on the Millamolong Barbarians XV, comprising current and past
rugby players from around the NSW Central West.
The game is being organised to raise funds for “Hearts in Union”, a charity which supports rugby
players who have suffered spinal injuries.
Captained by ex-wallaby Richard Harry, the Silver Foxes will include players such as Tim Horan,
Jason Little, David Wilson, Tim Gavin, Andrew Blades, Marco Caputo, Tim Wallace, John
Langford, Warwick Waugh and Orange local James Grant.
Millamolong Estate owner, James Ashton, was particularly excited to be part of this fund raiser.
“We jumped at the chance to help out with the Hearts in Union. It’s a great cause, and fantastic
opportunity for country fans to cheer on the Wallaby players in a family orientated environment.”
The Silver Foxes captain, Richard Harry is looking forward to a tough encounter, “Last year we
faced a team of young guys who were very fit, but perhaps lacked a little experience. The
Millamolong Barbarians are much more like us, a team of experienced players with a bit of age
and a few tricks on their side, so it could come down to who is the craftiest! Either way, it will be a
fun game with lots of tries, and guaranteed to be entertaining for the crowd.”
The day includes wine tasting of our Millamolong wines as well as other local winemakers
including Ross Hill from Orange, and Windowrie Estate from Canowindra.
Curtain raisers begin at noon. Entry is $10, under 15’s free. Limited parking will be available –
patrons are asked to share cars where possible. Accommodation is available in Mandurama,
Canowindra, Cowra, Bathurst and Orange.
For enquiries about the Harper Bernays Rugby Challenge contact either:
Andrew Logan 0409 230571 (Silver Foxes Rugby); Mike Crowley 0418 636080 (Orange Organising Committee)
Aug 2007
Millamolong Estate, situated in the hills of Mandurama in the Orange region, has just released
its 2006 Chardonnay and 2006 Shiraz.
With a rich history encompassing the first international tours by Australian polo players, the
Ashton family of Millamolong have focussed heavily on establishing a range of premium cold
climate wines. The range comprises Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet.
“We have been making wine for a number of years now, having spent much of the last ten
experimenting with styles and with the vineyard”, commented owner Mr. James Ashton. “We are
happy with the progress and are now taking the wines to market. We had a great time at the
recent ‘Sydney Good Food and Wine Show’ with very positive feedback from our consumers”.
The latest releases include the 2006 ‘56 Miles’ Shiraz and 2006 ’26 Ponies’ Chardonnay.
These new vintages are a tribute to the rich tapestry that makes up the Ashton history.
When the four Ashton brothers first became involved in polo, they would ride 56 miles from their
‘Markdale’ property, just out of Goulburn, to polo training and then back again. It was this
commitment and the exercise that the ponies received, which lead to the brothers’ success in
Australia’s first international polo tour of England in 1930.
On this first journey abroad, the English press made various derogatory remarks about the
Ashton’s quest.
“The Ashtons will never arrive in England with their 26 Ponies”,
As so many Australian teams have done, not only did the Ashtons play, but they won most of
their games. The 26 ponies and the four (Ashton) horsemen had put Australian polo on the
map.
The ‘56 Miles’ Shiraz and the ’26 Ponies’ Chardonnay are a tribute to these adventurous times.
Approximate Retail Prices
'ISABELLE'S GHOST' JOINS THE MILLAMOLONG STABLE
MILLAMOLONG ESTATE JOINS NSW DISTRIBUTOR, WALKER WINES
David Cumming at Define Wine on 0414 736 342 or david@definewine.com.au,
Stephen Lewis, Millamolong Vineyard Manager, on 0429 635 191 or
Malcolm Walker at Walker Wines on info@walkerwines.com.au or 02 8212 4888.
RUGBY ELITE SET TO TAKE ON MILLAMOLONG IN THE HARPER BERNAYS RUGBY CHALLENGE
NEW VINTAGES PAY TRIBUTE TO SPORTING HEROS
“They will never play a game of polo in England” and
“They will certainly never win a game”.
The Millamolong wines all retail for $20.00
Available from the Cellar Door
Millamolong 56 Miles Shiraz – Gold Medal, class 66, Cowra Wine Show 2007