Peter Lehmann

Peter Leon Lehmann AM, (18 August 1930 – 28 June 2013) was an Australian wine producer based in the Barossa Valley.

Biography Lehmann was born in Angaston, South Australia in Barossa Valley on 18 August 1930.

His father was Lutheran Pastor Franz Julius Lehmann, and son may have joined father in the ministry but for Franz' sudden death in 1945, aged 55. Peter soon dropped out of school "ostensibly to be some support to my recently widowed mother," he says.

In 1947, he started work at the Yalumba winery under Rudi Kronberger. From 1960 to 1980 he was Winemaker/Manager at Saltram Wines.

Peter Lehmann has been described as one of Australia's most respected and innovative wine makers. His success in winning international trophies has been noted by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation.

Family Lehmann's eldest son Doug Lehmann was also a noted winemaker who worked for the family company. He died in June 2014.

Peter Lehmann Wines Founded in 1979, Peter Lehmann Wines produces around 600,000 cases annually, with distribution to Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States and many other countries. It is located in the Barossa Valley, approximately 70 kilometres north of Adelaide in South Australia.

In 1977, Saltram instructed then winemaker/manager Peter Lehmann to buy less grapes from their Barossa growers. Since Peter had given the growers his word to buy the grapes, he refused. After months of negotiations with Dalgety plc, which owned Saltram, he was allowed to start an outside company called Masterson Barossa Vineyards in order to buy and process the grapes. Tyre retailer MS Mcleod gave financial backing to the venture. The inspiration of the name came from the legendary gambler Sky Masterson (see Guys and Dolls), because starting the company was such a gamble, and in keeping with the theme the queen of clubs was chosen as the logo for the company.

In 1979 Saltram was sold to Canadian multinational spirit producer Seagram which informed Peter that he could no longer make wine on the side, so he quit his job at Saltram and worked fully for Masterson.

By 2016, Peter Lehmann Wines was owned by Casella Family Brands.