Like the wines he nurtures in the cool climate of Eden Valley, Phil Lehmann’s style is understated and unassuming, but undeniably compelling.
While the son of Peter Lehmann might walk in the footsteps of giants, he is the architect of his own story, making his mark with Max & Me Wines and leading a life of simple pleasures, seasonality and generosity.
Phil is most at home with wife, Sarah on their stunningly beautiful piece of Barossa farmland, where they make small batch wines, olive oil and sourdough, and watch the seasons change with children, Lewis and Olive.
However the journey has been anything but scripted for Phil, who admits he “fought” the pedigree and the winemaking path laid before him.
He eschewed an oenology degree in favour of electrical engineering, before wanderlust took him across the world in his 20s.
It included sojourns in the Napa Valley with Michael Scholz and in Stellenbosch with Ben Radford, before Phil landed in Burgundy for a cultural immersion that was life-changing.
“Because of dad, there was such a big shadow; he was such a figure in the Barossa, I did feel the weight of it,” Phil says.
“But it all sort of crystallised in Burgundy. They’ve been growing grapes for hundreds of years; it’s a job with seasons and loads of reflection time. It’s good, clean work.
“It’s all about the vineyard in France. Take making Clos Vougeot; about 80 different owners each have a few rows and they sell the wine as a Clos Vougeot, not as a winemaker.”