Steve Lienert

Growing up in the Barossa Valley with a father who worked in the wine industry for 30 years virtually guaranteed Steve Lienert a career in the same industry.

The only uncertainty was which field would he choose? Winemaking soon chose Steve, and it is a choice that he would never trade.

Steve learned his craft on the job, working at Penfolds alongside some of Australia's finest winemakers. He joined the company in 1978 and worked in all aspects of cellaring and winemaking before finding his niche as a winemaker. This exposure to all aspects of the winemaking process has helped him develop his craft.

In his 23 years as a winemaker based in the Barossa Valley he has worked vintages around Australia and in the United States.

For Steve part of the challenge of winemaking is trying new techniques while ensuring the wines retain the Penfolds trademark of consistency and complexity.

"The wine industry these days is very dynamic and every wine producer must try new things. However, its part of our job to ensure we make consistent wines. Penfolds are renowned for making wines which show balance, complexity and great ageing ability."

In his spare time Steve is a sports fanatic who plays squash and enjoys watching Aussie Rules Football with his wife and young family.

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