About the Winemaker
Georgie Lehmann-Matene | Gegika Wines
Georgie Lehmann-Matene didn’t always know she’d be a winemaker. Born into Barossa Valley wine royalty (her grandfather Peter founded Peter Lehmann Wines, her father David runs David Franz), she grew up with wine all around her - but it wasn’t until she stepped away from it all that she felt the pull. After travelling Australia in a van with her husband Turner, Georgie came back to the Barossa with a whole new hunger to dive in. Her epiphany hit during vintage at Yalumba, away from her dad’s winery for the first time, crushing reds in the night shift and completely hooked on the smell, the energy, and the madness of it all. A quick chat with her dad about making “a brew” led to her first batch of Cabernet, and the rest is delicious history. Georgie describes winemaking as her creative outlet - one where she can let loose and be expressive while still respecting the fruit and the vintage. She brings playfulness into every aspect of her process, from the vibrant flavours to the artwork on the labels.
Gegika Wines is the creative expression of third-generation winemaker Georgie Lehmann-Matene. Launched in 2021, the label is named after Georgie’s childhood nickname, gifted to her by her late Hungarian grandmother. Gegika is as much about honouring family and heritage as it is about pushing boundaries and making wine that feels genuinely personal. The winery is based in the Barossa Valley, though it didn’t come to life until Georgie had left the region and returned with a new spark for the craft. Her first vintage was made using Cabernet fruit from the home block she grew up on - specifically, her favourite rows of vines, affectionately known as “Georgie’s Walk.” Since then, Gegika Wines has grown into a vibrant, evolving project that champions creativity, authenticity, and a whole lot of personality. Every label is hand-drawn by Georgie herself, then silkscreen printed, wax dipped, and wrapped with care. The wines are intentionally fresh, fun, and unpretentious - made to reflect the place they come from and the people they’re shared with.
