Prominent South Australian businessman and Barossa Valley identity Doug Lehmann, 63, died suddenly yesterday.

A sixth generation Barossa Valley local and eldest son of the late Peter Lehmann, Doug had worked in the wine industry since the early 1970s and retired in 2010, retaining a role as non-executive deputy chairman on the Peter Lehmann Wines Board.

“He was a can-do winemaker whose staff loved him dearly,” InDaily’s wine writer Phillip White said today.

“While his Dad Peter was a risk taker, Doug was much more a practical person – a very hands on winemaker.”

Doug’s other passion, the children’s charity VarietySA, had become his post-retirement focus. He was the Variety Bash chairman and had recently received an international honour.

“It is with great sadness that I have to inform you of the passing of one of our great Variety family members and Bash Chairman Mr Doug Lehmann,” the charity’s Chairman Ron Barton said today.

“Doug suffered a major heart attack and passed away Sunday.

“There is so much to share with you about Doug and his history with Variety and we will expand on those remarkable achievements another time but for now we just wanted to share this devastating news with you.”

White travelled on one of the famed Bash journeys, sharing a 1927 Buick with Doug.

“An old Buick and 10 days in the desert – it was mad,” he recalled today.

“He was a good bloke, a trusted friend.”

Born into a winemaking family, Doug had started his own career in the  industry in the cellar at Saltram Wines.

He took up the position of winemaker and manager at Basedow Wines in 1977, spending 14 years at the Tanunda-based compnay.

Doug was appointed managing director of Peter Lehmann Wines in 1993, a position which  he relished for over 15 years, until retirement in July 2010.

Doug’s successor, Peter Lehmann Wines CEO Jeff Bond, said Doug Lehmann epitomised the values of family and community.

“Doug was a team man, and always said it was people that make great wines. With that, he always led by example,” Bond said. “He upheld the legacy of his father, which remains in every aspect of the company today, and will continue to.”

Doug Lehmann is survived by Ingrid, his wife of 40 years, sons Michael and Harry, and daughter Annika.

Away from the wine industry Doug was a passionate motor car enthusiast and charity  fundraiser, and had been a long time supporter of the Variety Bash.

In May this year he was awarded a Variety Presidential Citation at the international conference in Georgetown Barbados on the weekend.

The citation stated that his initial contact with Variety was through the Bash, entering the SA Bash in 1991.

“During his time as an entrant he was instrumental in raising almost $500,000 and his big heart and Bashing spirit have seen him awarded the Outright Winners of the Bash in 1998, 2000 and 2007, along with Best Individual and Bashers Choice awards, Best Presented Vehicle and Best Fun theme.

“In his past role as GM of Peter Lehmann Wines, his generosity was outstanding, with PLW sponsoring the wine for many Variety events, Variety Bash final night celebrations and entrants fundraising functions.

“After 20 years as an entrant Doug was asked to take on the voluntary role of SA Variety Bash Chair, a role that would commit him to at least 15-20 hours per week over the year.  After his two year tenure, the Variety SA board asked him to continue for a further two years which he willingly agreed to.

“He has delivered three outstanding Bash events in 2011, 2012 and 2013.”

Peter Lehmann died almost exactly a year ago at the age of 82.