In the face of a serious overproduction of grapes and the real possibility of growers facing financial ruin, Peter Lehmann found some investment partners, established a consortium and built the Peter Lehmann Wines winery. It was 1979.

The first vintage was processed in 1980 and in 1982 the winery was formally named Peter Lehmann Wines. From then on, its wines have been marketed under the Peter Lehmann Wines label.

As an experienced winemaker, Peter Lehmann was all too aware of the challenges facing a young winery in a competitive market. Growth was well planned, slow and steady. Initially, the winery facility was built to process fruit purchased from the local growers. Carefully and strategically, the Peter Lehmann Wines operation moved on from the bulk wine market to become a producer of premium bottled wines with a well-deserved international reputation.

As well as purchasing grapes from about 185 local independent growers, Peter Lehmann Wines has its own vineyards, which produce about 2% of its requirements.