Historic Adelaide Hills estate offers the ultimate country lifestyle
On the market this week, Auldwood Estate provides the ultimate country lifestyle while being just a short drive to the Adelaide CBD and is complete with luxury accommodation and your very own vineyard and cellar door.
For Kate Bishop and her three children, there is a simple reason why they love their patch at Ashton.
“It feels like we’re out in the country – it’s rural and so quiet and serene and yet we’re only 15 minutes to the city,” says Kate, a lawyer.
Known colloquially as Auldwood Estate, 159 Ridge Road Ashton sits on some 40 acres.
The Adelaide Hills property retains an original five-bedroomed stone residence built in the 1880s by the Mould family.
“It’s an old cottage that has a modern renovation on it, so it has a lot of interest to it because the old cottage is quite beautiful and historical, but it’s all been restored and it blends the old with the new,” says Kate.
The historic dwelling has been fully restored, with a striking 2017 extension by C4 Architects bringing it into the 21st century.
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The stylish interiors were selected by Susanna Bilardo from Enoki, fusing timeless elegance and modern luxury.
The previous owners’ jaw-dropping renovation meant there was little work for Kate to do when she moved in with her family.
However, Kate has focussed on making the property eco-friendly. The house is almost entirely run by a solar system and heat pumps, with water tanks and hydronic concrete flooring contributing towards its six-star energy rating.
The grounds also include the luxury Espira accommodation, while a vineyard and cellar door produce chardonnay, pinot grigio, riesling and nebbiolo for the Casa Freschi label.
“It’s a luxury retreat … I just leave a bottle of wine (for guests) and the reviews have been sensational. I’ve had about 12 proposals up there with the sunset and the little outdoor fire and there’s also a bath on the deck – it’s been a huge hit,” says Kate.
“I’ve spoken to the winemaker here and if the new owner wanted to extend the lease with the winemaker here, he would be open to making their own wine with their own label.”
Kate has also landscaped the outdoors, which attracts kangaroos, echidnas, koalas and other native wildlife.
A veggie patch provides seasonal produce, while the garden also features some 50 varieties of rare, traditional roses.
“It’s all old roses from the original Woodside Roses, which is now burnt down and you can’t get those sorts of old-fashioned roses anymore,” says Kate.
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Kate tells SALIFE that one of her favourite parts of the property is the “beautiful, big established walnut tree”.
“Every Christmas, we put a table under there with a white tablecloth and we have parties under the walnut tree with the lights hanging in the tree,” she says.
“All of our friends love coming and sitting under the walnut tree with a plate of cheese and a glass of wine – we’ve spent lots of afternoons out there doing that.”
There are also hazelnut trees, chestnut trees, nectarines, oranges, lemons, apricots, cherries and even porcini mushrooms growing on the property.
Kate enjoys watching the seasons change, from the picturesque sunsets in summer to the bright colours of autumn.
“There are lots of beautiful things throughout the different seasons,” she says.
The tight-knit community of Ashton has also been a drawcard, with local hubs including the Uraidla Hotel and the Cherry Bomb Cafe.
“I’ve always felt a really beautiful sense of community here with the neighbours and everyone around you. Ashton has a Christmas party every year.”
Kate says it is the serenity she will miss the most about living at Auldwood Estate.
“It’s like paradise and it’s hard to leave, but it’s time for a new chapter for me and the kids. So, I hope that the next people fall in love with it like I have,” she says.
The sale of 159 Ridge Road, Ashton is being handled by James and Bronwyn Lindsay from Toop + Toop.
