MANAGEMENT & SALES
Born and raised in the Barossa Valley, Peter John joined the family company in late 1976 as an apprentice cooper, indentured to his father Master Cooper Warren John. Awarded his Trade Cooper’s certificate in January of 1981, Peter worked in a hands on capacity on the factory floor, rising through the ranks as Tradeskill Developer, Manager and Production Controller until achieving the position of Managing Director and Master Cooper in 1993.
During the late 1980s, Peter began undertaking extensive overseas travel to develop A.P. John’s existing oak supply chain. His success in procuring new sources of supply for super premium grade oak in both Europe and the USA laid the groundwork that enabled the company to expand to its present production levels.
It was around this time that Peter became the driving force behind the development and implementation of new techniques and processes within the cooperage, creating breakthrough technologies in conjunction with specialist machinery designers and manufacturers in Germany, France and Australia.
It is largely Peter’s vision and determination that has changed the art of coopering, both within the A.P. John cooperage and the industry at large, into the modern industry it is today.
Almost thirty years after joining the company, Peter continues to nurture and develop relationships with the world’s best suppliers of super premium oak, visiting forests and mills around the world on a regular basis. Whilst working closely with cooperage management on day to day operations, Peter remains true to his trade roots by spending as much time as possible on the cooperage’s factory floor ensuring the continuation of his family’s hard won reputation as Australia’s premium quality coopers.
Starting with A.P. John in 1984 as Administration Assistant, Catherine John is both ‘front of office’ and Personal Assistant to Managing Director and husband Peter.
Catherine developed the business administration and office systems that complemented and enabled Peter’s supply and production system innovations during the 1980s, before developing the customer relations role that saw her involved in function management and marketing for the company. In 1998, the role of Executive Assistant was added to Catherine’s tasks.
As the administrative face of AP. John, Catherine not only fulfils the multitude of roles assigned to her but also finds the time to raise her and Peter’s two sons Alexander and William.
Bringing well over twenty years experience in the banking and finance industry to the position, Kingsley Wiseman joined A.P. John as Manager Administration in 1997. Primarily involved in the management of the company’s financial and administrative functions, as Kingsley’s knowledge of Oak products has developed over time he has added the further string of sales to his bow.
Born and raised in the Barossa, Evan Schultz joined the AP John Sales team in 2005. With nearly 20 years experience in the Wine Industry, beginning his career as a Cellar Hand and spending several years in the Liquor Retail Trade both in Adelaide and Melbourne. Peter Lehmann Wines was his "home" for 13 years undertaking several positions including Cellar Door Manager, Marketing and Sales Assistant and most recently as Dry Goods Co-ordinator where the emphasis on building strong customer / supplier relationships was an integral part of the role. Evan's main focus is with our South Australian and Western Australian customers.
Barossa born and bred, Jarrod Schmidt has a background in horticulture within his home region. Jarrod has diverse experience within the wine industry having worked in the cellar, nursery and cellar door sales for Yalumba. He gained valuable experience in event management as Special Event Coordinator at Yalumba for four years before joining the A.P. John sales team in 2002. Primarily concentrating on the interstate and New Zealand wine markets, Jarrod is knowledgable in all facets of A.P. John’s sales and product areas.