“Stopp Press” Release: Wednesday 2nd September, 2009
PETER LEHMANN AWARDED LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
At the prestigious 2009 International Wine Challenge Awards held in London tonight, Peter
Lehmann was honoured to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award for his great contribution to the
wine industry over the past 62 years.
It is now part of Barossa legend that Peter established the winery in the late 1970s, to protect the
livelihood of growers who were facing financial ruin.
Inspired by Damon Runyon’s great gambler of Guys & Dolls fame, Sky Masterson, and in
recognition of the gamble he was taking, Peter called his company Masterson.
The first vintage
was processed in 1980 and in 1982 the winery was formally named Peter Lehmann Wines.
Each of the succeeding decades provided its own challenge and was characterized by Peter’s stubborn
defence of the integrity of PLW against unwelcome and, in his view, hostile advances on PLW from
outside parties. These would have destroyed the ‘soul’ of the Company, founded as it was on
mateship, and an unwavering belief in the Barossa. Fortunately, ‘PL’ prevailed and to this day over 160
growers, some 5th & 6th generation, continue the partnership founded on a series of handshake
agreements – illustrating Peter’s unshakable belief that his word is his bond.
The constant throughout has been the corporate logo, the Queen of Clubs, recognizing that great
gamble, which of course has paid off in spades, if you’ll pardon the pun! Barossa artist and long
time family friend Rod Schubert, provided the inspiration behind the original Queen of Clubs.
Winemaking is part science and part art. Peter has proven a master of both, but the art of Peter
Lehmann is not exclusive to winemaking. He and wife Margaret are also true friends of the artist. It
was for their love of art that the Lehmann’s commissioned young Australian artists to design their
wine labels, with a brief to interpret the Queen of Clubs to reflect characters of each of the
company’s wines.
The Lehmanns have always opened their home and their hearts to visitors to the Barossa, and their
support and hospitality knows no bounds.
This prestigious award is proof that the ‘team’ effort has been recognized and it is a source of
satisfaction to Peter that his eldest son, Doug is Managing Director and youngest son, Philip has
joined PLW as a winemaker working with long time multi award winning Chief Winemaker Andrew
Wigan, thus ensuring the family tradition continues….
For further information please contact:
Doug Lehmann
Malcolm Stopp
Managing Director, Peter Lehmann Wines
National PR Manager, Peter Lehmann Wines
Mobile: 0418 829 257
Mobile: 0418 347 545Email:
doug.lehmann@peterlehmannwines.com
malcolm.stopp@peterlehmannwines.com
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