Darren Schutz
Laboratory Manager
What is your favourite restaurant in the Barossa?
Definately 1918 in Tanunda
If you weren’t working for Peter Lehmann Wines, what would you be doing?
I would definitely have to say a Magician, which is something I already do on a part time basis.
Andrew Wigan
Chief Winemaker
Andrew Wigan has had a hand in every Peter Lehmann Wine since the winery was founded in 1979.
“Wig”, as he is best known, is one of Australia’s most celebrated winemakers, having been named Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine’s Winemaker of the Year in 2009, White Winemaker of the Year at the International Wine Challenge of 2006, and the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s International Winemaker of the Year in 2003 and 2006. Along the way, he has won numerous trophies – including the Jimmy Watson - for individual wines of the Lehmann portfolio.
Growing up in Victoria, the young Wig never imagined his name would be indelibly linked to Barossa winemaking. As a qualified industrial chemist, his scientific interests led him to the winemaking fraternity of his hometown of Ararat, and the rest is history.
His first solo winemaking effort was in 1972: a batch of Mildura Shiraz made in a rubbish bin under the bed. Fortunately his career has been on an upward trajectory since.
In 1976, after furthering his studies at Roseworthy, Wig accepted a position as assistant winemaker at Saltram in the Barossa Valley. It was his first formal winemaking job, and his teacher was Winemaker Manager Peter Lehmann, who was one of the region’s best red winemakers of the era.
After four years under Lehmann’s wing at Saltram, he made the brave move to stand by his mentor in the gamble of a lifetime: starting a new winemaking venture from scratch.
Peter Lehmann’s reputation for Barossa Shiraz was soon complemented by Wig’s passion for white wines, breaking new ground with Riesling and Semillon.
His contribution to the Peter Lehmann story was recognised in 2003 with the re-naming of the revered ‘Reserve’ Riesling as ‘Wigan’ Riesling.
Wig works closely with the 140-plus growers of the Peter Lehmann family, encouraging them to join his viticulture philosophy: growing wine, not grapes. He is also a sought after judge on the national wine show circuit.
Outside the winery, Wig is a keen golfer, and a longstanding member of the Barossa Valley Golf Club. He enjoys cooking, especially Asian dishes and pizzas in the pizza oven in the backyard of the family home. And despite his enduring commitment to Barossa winemaking, Wig remains a one-eyed supporter of the Essendon Football Club.
Wig lives with wife Wendy in Barossa’s Light Pass District.
