Andrew Wigan
Chief Winemaker
My favourite variety and vintage?
Probably the 1982 Peter Lehmann Barossa Riesling which was actually 100% from the Eden Valley region of the Barossa. It was early in our history and Peter decided to buy as much Eden Valley Riesling as he could so he offered the best price in the district. We made a huge volume and it went on in its first year to win best Riesling in the Adelaide Wine Show. Later in its life it would go on to win Best International Riesling in the IWSC in London.
My proudest wine which I have been associated with?
The wine am most proud of being associated with is our 1993 Reserve Riesling which went on to win 32 trophies and 47 gold medals around the world and probably stands as the most successful show wine in Australian wine show history. It became so successful that it started to annoy the rest of the industry off so eventually we stopped showing it.
Ian Hongell
Senior Winemaker
Ian Hongell is a born and bred Barossan, growing up in the heart of Tanunda.
He knew he wanted to be a winemaker from the young age of 7 when he experimented in a little bit of home fermenting with a bucket and a few grapes. He stuck with his dream and became a graduate of the prestigious winemaking school Roseworthy Agricultural College of South Australia, in 1992.
Ian has worked vintages in California, France and Germany as well as holding the senior winemaking position for five years at Cranswick Wines in New South Wales.
Ian joined the Peter Lehmann Wines winemaking team in 1998, bringing him back to his beloved Barossa with a wealth of winemaking experience and boundless enthusiasm.
Ian is a passionate cook and family man, and loves nothing more than tending to his Shiraz vineyards and making wine for PLW.
