Members of the FCA enjoyed a wide range of white and red wines by Barossa Valley wine maker Peter Lehmann at a tasting in early March.

The speaker, Peter Lehmann Wines' National Public Relations Manager Malcolm Stopp, provided an indepth insight into the state of the Australian wine industry as it is battles the twin problems of oversupply and falling producer prices.

It's a situation Peter Lehmann Wines (PLW) is familiar with. Founded by Peter Lehmann, whose family migrated from Switzerland to South Australia in the 19th century, PLW was formed in 1979 to assist independent grape growers in the Barossa Valley, who at the time were facing financial ruin.

Thanks to his business skills and a strong commitment to quality, the company survived where most would have faltered. PLW has developed into one of Australia's most respected, energetic and innovative premium wine producers, with their wines having won the highest accolades in Australia and internationally.

Today, Peter and his winemaking team and over 200 independent Barossa Valley grape growers continue to create wines that delight wine lovers around the globe - including ourselves. Far from being a wine buff, we were not the only ones impressed by Peter Lehmanns' range of Rieslings starting with a superb 2000 Reserve Riesling from the Barossa to a younger, refreshing Riesling from the cooler climate Eden Valley region.

Peter Lehmann has been referred to as "the Guardian of the Barossa Faith" by one of the most important international wine writers and this is no mean feat. In his case, this noble title is fully justified. Lehmann stands as a symbol of loyalty in a business which more and more is defined by international capital flows and global distribution networks. For him, there is more to wine than just a bottom line. He may not be part of the management team of the business that bears his name anymore, but he still has a role to play. And, in fact, he played it not so long ago.

In 2003 global player Allied Domecq had an eye on PLW as a successful listed company that would fit Allied Domecq's global strategy. But Lehmann had seen from the frontline what happened to Saltram (where he had spent a substantial amount of his winemaking working life) when it was swallowed by international giant Seagram. Seagram intended to use Saltram as a distribution channel rather than a wine producer, and Lehmann as chief winemaker at that time had to turn away Barossa grape growers who were his friends. He left Seagram, founded his own enterprise and worked successfully with his friends, the growers. They supported him in turn when he got into financial trouble at a later stage. However, he could not prevent Allied Domecq from becoming a substantial shareholder then.

But when Allied Domecq knocked on the door with a full takeover bid, Lehmann knew what he did not want. He understood PLW as a family business, but he also understood that he would have to find a White Knight who would come to the rescue with a better offer. He found Swiss family enterprise Hess, a business with similar values and a similar approach to winemaking as PLW. If it is not a marriage made in heaven, it is certainly one made in the cellar.

The impressive results could be seen, and above all tasted, at the FCA Wine Tasting.

For more information: www.peterlehmannwines.com.au