Nigel Westblade - Chief Winemaker

With over 20 years in the wine industry  Chief Winemaker, Nigel Westblade, has a wealth of knowledge and hands on  experience under his belt. Nigel has  completed vintages in some of the most  prominent wine regions in the world  including the US, Australia and China.

Nigel was appointed Chief Winemaker for Peter Lehmann Wines in 2017. With his  passion and talent for winemaking and  excellent leadership skills, Nigel is proud to guide the future direction of Peter Lehmann winemaking whilst maintaining the integrity of the wines.

 

 

5 MINUTES WITH NIGEL

Q. Who is the greatest influence in your winemaking life?

I have worked with so many great people, I find it really interesting to observe my peers in action and to try and determine what traits or skills make them exceptional winemakers. One thing I have noticed, they all seem to have coolness under pressure, when others around them are falling apart they can see the path forward with calmness and clarity, people like Kendall Mix and Ros Ritchie are great examples.

Q. What is your approach to winemaking?

I like to understand what is happening with a wine and gently guide in the direction that will produce the best result for each individual parcel. 

Q. PLW has many loyal drinkers, how would you describe them?

PLW wine drinkers have a very good understanding of quality but don’t necessarily get caught up in wine fads. This allows them to enjoy wines of outstanding quality at great value.

Q. What winemaking philosophy do you live by?

Keep it simple and focus on doing the important things well.

Q. What is your favourite part of the winemaking process?

The whole controlled chaos that is vintage!

Q. What is your favourite Peter Lehmann wines and why?

Futures Shiraz, A great wine and arguably the greatest wine story in Australia. Every wine brands want to have a “story” at the moment. The Futures shiraz is the real deal.

Q. When you are not making wine, what do you enjoy doing?

Spending time with family and friends, and dropping in a fishing line.

Q. What’s your favourite wine region in the world — other than your own?

The Napa Valley, there is so much going on there in terms of varying winemaking styles. It makes for a really interesting tasting.

Q. What would people be surprised to know about you?

My promising football career was cut tragically short in my teens due to a couple of fractured vertebrae. ( I was a very average footballer by the way, so it was no great loss to the football world)

Q. If you weren’t making wine for a living, what would you be doing?

I would be back on the family farm, still enjoying the rural lifestyle.

Q. Favourite book?

Anything by Mathew Riley.

Q. Favourite movie?

I still would have to say after all these years Shawshank Redemption. The Departed is also fantastic.

All you need to know about concerts at Peter Lehmann

Concerts at Peter Lehmann

At Peter Lehmann Wines, we bring together world-class music and exceptional wine in the beautiful Barossa Valley. Our outdoor concerts feature a diverse range of Australian and international artists, offering a truly unique experience that has redefined live music in Australia. These events not only captivate audiences but also contribute to the vitality of regional communities.

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