David Bowley
Vinteloper

Also a finalist in the "wine industry's tallest man award" David Bowley's story is a good one. He worked with the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation for many a year looking after winery auditing and it was here that he gained an intimate insight into the whole spread of options, from the smallest artisan to the biggest corporate beheamouth. He stepped up and out in 2008 and started the Vinteloper project, making small amounts of interesting wines that are an honest representation of this giant man's journey into winemaking. We need more like him!

Q&A

Is there a wine or a person that inspires you as a winemaker?
I draw inspiration from various sources, including some dedicated individuals making truly great wines from Beaujolais to the Barossa Valley, but the inspiration to make great wine comes from my time spent working in and tasting wine from Burgundy.

What is so-hot-right-now in wine?
You mean apart from price discounting wars? A lot! Just blink and this game can change. Natural wine, Chardonnay revival, growth in the Chinese export market, alternative varieties, organic & bio-dynamic are all hot-right-now.

What got you into wine?
During high school I got a job working for a cork importer. Not many of those jobs left i'd say! The role included a lot of sensory and statistical analysis and it taught me that there was a lot more to wine than just those cardboard boxes I had seen at the bottle-o.

What's your desert island wine?
Right now: 2009 Jean Foillard Morgon Cote du Py.

Why should you win the people's vote for the YGWA?
Because I am the tallest winemaker in the competition and also because I am a bit deaf so when people talk to me I usually smile and nod. It's very endearing...

(Complete this sentence) If there was no wine in the world...
we wouldn't have to put up with cheesy names on wines like "The Soccer Mum Sauvignon Blanc" or "The Screaming Queen Sparkling Red".

As a winemaker, where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Finally making a living out of being a winemaker!