From the Cudlee Creek fires to creating a legacy: The Resilient Story of Vinteloper Wines

For Vinteloper founder David Bowley, wine has always been about more than what’s in the bottle. From the beginning, his vision was to create something authentic, a brand connected to the land, its people and a way of life that felt meaningful.

It was a philosophy that shaped Vinteloper from day one, and one that would ultimately guide the Adelaide Hills business through its darkest chapter, laying the foundation for its rebirth after the devastating 2019 Cudlee Creek bushfires, when the vineyard and farm were completely destroyed.

“At Vinteloper community isn’t a marketing strategy; it’s the reason we survived. The support we received from our customers and local community after the Cudlee Creek fire was our primary motivation to carry on,” says David.

That experience strengthened Vinteloper’s commitment to the local community, and it’s woven into every aspect of the business. Their biodiversity planting projects regularly invite volunteers to help regenerate the landscape, while Vinteloper’s tasting room showcases South Australian producers and artisans.

“Our tasting room menu exclusively features local South Australian artisan produce, such as bread from a baker in Lobethal and cheese from Adelaide Hills artisans,” David says.

“We also source our grapes from a few select local growers, some of whom we have worked with since 2010.”


David credits much of the brand’s success to the close-knit team around him, including his wife Sharon Hong, who leads the creative direction of the brand, alongside winemaker Sarah Marrocco and tasting room manager Akira Takahashi.

Today, Vinteloper’s mission is simple: to create meaningful experiences while caring for the land for future generations.

“My biggest love remains being the hands-on custodian of the land, personally leading the charge on sustainable winegrowing and regenerative agriculture to leave the land better than how we found it yesterday,” David says.

In a world of mass production, Vinteloper exists to make life better for conscious consumers by offering something deeply South Australian. A wine brand grounded in authenticity, resilience and community.