VINTELOPER (Adelaide Hills, SA)
VINTELOPER’s David Bowley describes himself as Gen Y(ish), fuelled by coffee, still perfecting the art of poaching eggs, single-minded, probably taller then you expect (we can vouch for that!!), and a guy making wine out of the Adelaide Hills, South Australia.
In 2016, he was the People’s Choice winner across Australia, and in 2017, he came in at second place nationally, so you know his wine is pretty good.
We grabbed him for a quick chat on all things Pinot.
How was Pinot Palooza 2018 for you?
It was the best year yet! We got to catch up with friends (of Vinteloper) new and old and share a bit of our love for pinot noir. It sounds like ODEON Pinot Noir blew some people’s minds again this year too which is really cool.
How does it feel to have made the top 10 nationally?
It’s incredibly humbling and we have to pinch ourselves actually. Pinot Palooza features some of Australia and NZ’s top flight wineries, so to be considered amongst them by the People’s Choice vote is honestly hard to believe.
Tell us something cool about your wines?
Our wines are like us, and everything we do; fun on the outside, serious on the inside.
If your pinot was a music artist, who would it be?
Odeon Lenswood Pinot Noir: Kanye West. A riddle, wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.
What style do you think characterises the wines of your region?
With a mosaic of soil profiles and climates, the Adelaide Hills is fortunate to be able to produce varied styles of pinot – from delicately restrained, silky smooth vibes to the more down to earth, spicy, straight shooting types. It’s a win for everyone.
Tell us three things we need to know about your region?
There’s a lot of cool cats and mad scientists that get about these parts. The autumn colours in the Hills really are picture perfect so well worth the drive around. Don’t limit yourself to the more well known places, take time to get of the tourist trail and discover the smaller towns, there’s so many great producers all over the Hills.
What’s the one thing we simply must do in your region?
Loosen your belt buckle because there’s that many great places to eat and enjoy fantastic local produce to go with all that wine you’ll be sipping.
If not you, who else should people try?
Venues like The Summertown Aristologist, Lost in A Forest and Uraidla Hotel are damn good options – not only will you get some of the best food around but all three venues have great wine lists showcasing a range of local producers and styles.
When no one is watching, you drink…
An Old Fashioned.
Your pinots are best for…
Those times you’ve got some beautiful food that needs a wine match and you wanna take it to the next level.
Your pinots are best paired with…
Good shoes and a bad attitude.
What song should we listen to when driving to the winery?
What song should we listen to when driving away and onto the next one?
What year was your first pinot noir vintage and what song best represents it?
2008. It’s best summed up by Walkin’ on a Dream – Empire of the Sun.
