Paul Lindner
Langmeil Family Winemaker
Langmeil’s family winemaker, Paul Lindner, is one of the shining lights of contemporary Barossa winemaking. Being the sixth generation Barossan with Italian and German heritage, may explain his love and intuition for making wine.
Paul’s connection to wine started as a youngster picking grapes for his Italian great-grandmother at 20cents a bucket and the promise of a big bowl of pasta. It was here he observed his Italian grandfather turn grapes into wine, which on the occasional year was enhanced with a dash of lemonade.
Paul’s Winemaking Journey
Paul having finished year 12, was leaving school at a time the wine industry was on its knee’s, and it was mentioned to many of the kids of this era to leave the Barossa as there was no future in wine.
The demise of the wine industry came with the turbulent 1980’s and one of the Barossa’s darkest periods, being the South Australian Government’s Vine Pull Scheme. Many people left the region in search of other employment, with Paul finding work as a mechanic.
His return to the Barossa came in the early 90’s when Australian wine had been discovered by the world, and elevated the wine region to a height that hadn’t been seen since the 1930’s. This brought about the start of a life changing job as a cellar hand at Orlando Wines (Jacobs Creek). Here Paul was selected to study a two-year cellar procedures course on ‘vine to wine’ at TAFE (Technical and Further Education College), where he topped the class.
Paul also commenced some of his own ‘practical studies’ in the back shed.
Here, with a band of great mates, he made his first wine known as Shed Red. Paul recalls showing the 1996 Shed Red Cabernet Sauvignon to the late Peter Lehmann, who said, “Paul, if you can make wine like this, I think you may have a bright future.” It was these words of encouragement that inspired Paul to become the Langmeil family winemaker.
Paul’s passion for winemaking has always been to combine the techniques of the old world and new world with minimal handling and intervention, to ensure the fruit’s full potential is captured. By keeping true to the subtleties derived from the varying yet distinctive microclimates of Langmeil’s vineyards and select local grape growing families’ vineyards, Paul feels he can capture the true taste of Barossa.
Since his first vintages in 1996 Paul has built an understanding of the region intimately and with this time he has acquired the knowledge to make wines hat can stand alongside the great wines of the world.
Over this time 100% of his focus has been on making wines from the Barossa and from working with some of the World’s oldest surviving pre phylloxera vineyards. He has earned the respect of many, national and international sommeliers, wine critics and fine wine lovers all over the world.
Paul remains focused at being another contributor to the enduring legacy Barossa winemakers have made over the last 180 years, helping to further the region’s pedigree, and showcases why the Barossa is truly one on the world’s great wine regions
Paul is married to wife Natalie who share two daughters, Mackenzie and Bridget. He trusts his efforts will help inspire this next generation of the Lindner family to follow into an industry that continues to bring him great pleasure.
Since Paul took over the winemaking role in 1998 his knowledge and attention to detail has and continues to show the world, what you can achieve with passion, vision, and continued eye for bring the best of the region to life. This experience at the helm of our winemaking has undoubtedly helped position Langmeil Winery alongside some of the great wineries across Australia and the world.