David Franz
Larrikin winemaker David Lehmann has stepped out of the shadow of his famous father, Peter, to make a name for himself with his quirky labels and glorious, handcrafted wines.
Franz is David’s middle name, inherited from his pastor grandfather, and the use of it in his label shows how determined this
maverick winemaker – who’s partial to flanno shirts and AC/DC T-shirts – is not to ride on the coattails of his legendary dad.
Ever the rebel, David was hell-bent on not being a winemaker, embarking on a career as a graphic designer but destiny eventually won out, and in 1992, he formally entered the wine business.
He started at the bottom, working in the Peter Lehmann vineyards before launching his own label. Super-talented and passionate, the artisan winemaker and viticulturalist now manages 30 hectares of his family vineyards, including eight hectares around his hilltop home.
“I am moved each day by a passion to live my life at my own pace and to create wines that are as individual as the fruit that has made them,” he says.
This laconic jokester and yarn-spinner prides himself on a hands-on approach, which extends to the eye-catching packaging. David produces at least 14,400 bottles of wine a year and, proving the graphic design study didn’t go to waste, each bottle has an individual silkscreen printed label, with design and words – often a long, entertaining read – taking up most of the bottle’s surface. Each bottle stands as an artwork in its own right – and that’s before you get to the rare treasure inside.
The core-range reds are named after Dave's three children – Georgie’s Walk Cabernet Sauvignon, Benjamin’s Promise Shiraz and Alexander’s Reward Cabernet Shiraz. - Megan Lehmann
Wines from David Franz
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David Franz Alexander's Reward Shiraz/Cabernet 2006
David Franz's Western Barossa fruit has a density and power that is perfectly matched to its maker. Franz has a knack for parcelling complex wines together with... read more »
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David Franz Benjamin's Promise Shiraz 2006
From a quality Barossa vintage, the Ben's Promise delivers again for style, structure and depth of fruit. Full of rich aromas of bright red berries, sweet flowe... read more »
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David Franz Brother's Ilk Chardonnay 2010
David Franz's foray into sourcing premium Adeliade Hill fruit for cooler climate wines has been taken to a new level with the Brother's Ilk, a Chardonnay from t... read more »
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David Franz Georgie's Walk Cabernet Sauvignon 2006
David Franz has a self-perpetuated reputation for being both a larrikin and an experimentalist. His wines, however, have a seriousness that puts them right at t... read more »
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David Franz Mal's Blend NV
So what’s in this wine? This blend has bright lifted fruit that hints Barossa Shiraz as well as a lifted perfume, talc character that reminds me of the old wo... read more »
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David Franz Nicole Sparkling Shiraz Cabernet (Disgorged 2010)
Black bubbles have alway been cult icons of the Barossa. No surprises that one of the New Barossa's true experimentalists has put his hand to a serious example.... read more »
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David Franz Old Redemption Tawny NV
This is an inter-generational pleasure – Peter Lehmann hands over to son Dave as the story of Old Redemption is revived. As you delve in, you’ll discover de... read more »
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David Franz Plane Turning Right Merlot Blend
If theres one thing that David Franz does almost as well as making wine, its packaging it in such a way as to completely beguile us with every new release. The ... read more »
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David Franz Red Rose 2009
Vibrant pink with a soft purple tinge. Raspberry jubes, cassis, sour cherry and just a hint of forrest floor show themselves on this fresh lively nose. The pala... read more »
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David Franz Smoking Jim Merlot 2008
When it comes to Barossa Merlot, there’s only one Jim – and that’s James Irvine, of Irvine Grand Merlot fame. But the cheeky Dave Franz proves again that ... read more »
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David Franz The Larrikin III Blend NV
I don’t really know what is in this wine, other than red grapes and I don’t really care. From the label it seems as though we should just drink the bloody t... read more »
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