When Peter Lehmann passed away in 2013, the Australian wine world went into collective mourning. Lehmann was a fifth-generation Barossa winemaker – a much-loved figure across the valley, and across the nation. He’s often credited with saving the Barossa wine industry in the 1970s, when a grape glut was sending many growers to the wall. In a fit of altruism, Lehmann bought up the excess grapes, built a winery, made some wine and sold it, funnelling the profits back to the grateful growers.
With an epic redgum tasting bar, the cellar door here occupies an 1880s stone structure nooked into the banks of the North Para River. Book yourself in for a 30-minute group tasting ($10) or a one-hour premium session ($50). Afterwards, kick back on the rolling lawns, which regularly host ageing musos (Simple Minds, Rod Stewart, Jimmy Barnes et al) as part of the Day on the Green concert series. If Rod ain’t rockin’ (or even if he is), a bottle of Stonewell shiraz and a cheeseboard will do nicely.
