Welcoming Lewis White as Winemaker at Zema Estate
At Zema Estate, continuity has always been part of our story. Since our first vintage in 1982, our family winery has been guided by a deep respect for Coonawarra, a commitment to estate-grown fruit, and a belief that great wines are built through patience, consistency and care.
Today, we are delighted to welcome Lewis White as the newest winemaker in Zema Estate’s 44-year history.
Over more than four decades, Zema Estate has worked with just four winemakers – Tom Simons, Greg Clayfield, Joe Cory and now Lewis White – each one a local who has lived and worked in Coonawarra and contributed to the strength of the region’s wine community. In fact, for the first 18 years of the winery’s life, the Zema family made the wines themselves, laying the foundations for the style and philosophy that continue to guide us today.
Lewis joins Zema Estate with more than a decade of winemaking experience across Australia and internationally. Most recently, he served as Head Winemaker at Rymill Coonawarra, a role he has held since 2020. A graduate of Charles Sturt University with a Bachelor of Wine Science, Lewis has worked across a number of renowned wine regions including Tasmania, McLaren Vale, the Hunter Valley and the Adelaide Hills, as well as completing a vintage in Sussex, UK.
His experience spans vineyard work, cellar operations, production planning and managing harvest teams – all grounded in a strong understanding of cool-climate wine styles.
Lewis says it was Zema Estate’s clear sense of identity and long-term approach that drew him to the role.
“Zema Estate has a strong reputation in Coonawarra, and I’ve always respected the quality and consistency of the wines,” Lewis said. “It’s an exciting opportunity, and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into the 2026 vintage in a few months.”
Alongside his winery experience, Lewis has also been actively involved in the broader wine community, serving as an Associate Judge at several regional wine shows including the Limestone Coast, Riverland and Adelaide Hills Wine Shows.
For the Zema family, Lewis’s appointment reflects a continued commitment to nurturing local talent while maintaining a close connection to the land and the wines.
As Nick Zema explains, the family remains deeply involved in the vineyard and winemaking direction.
“In 44 years, Zema Estate has had just four winemakers, following the first 18 years of our family making the wines ourselves,” Nick said. “Each winemaker has been a local, deeply connected to Coonawarra. Lewis brings a strong understanding of the region, and his approach aligns perfectly with our philosophy.”
With Lewis now leading the winery team, the Zema family continues to play an active role in guiding vineyard management and the overall direction of the wines – ensuring continuity as the estate moves into its next chapter.
Lewis will oversee winemaking across the Zema Estate range, including both the Estate and Family Selection wines, as the winery continues its focus on estate-grown fruit, careful vineyard management and patient bottle ageing.
As we look ahead to the 2026 vintage, we are excited to see the next chapter of Zema Estate unfold — built on the same foundations that have guided us for more than four decades.
