About

Tapara Vineyards is a McLaren Vale estate rooted in ancient land — hills and creek, heritage gum trees and olive groves, cooled by ocean breezes from the Gulf of St. Vincent. Everything we do begins here.

Tapara Team photo

Our Story

Founded with a simple belief — that meaningful work arises from attention, care, and relationship — Tapara exists to make wine that is authentic to place, terroir, and history, while also reflecting the creativity, global experience, and tastes of our team. The emphasis is on humility over ego, collaboration over control, and long-term stewardship over short-term gain.

That vision extends to how we farm and how we make wine. Viticulture is led by Daniel Levrencic, whose deep local knowledge and hands-on approach guides our certified sustainable farming — healthy vines, yields of just 2 tonnes per acre, and fruit that reflects both site and season with clarity. Winemaking is guided by consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, whose career spans some of the world’s most respected wine programs. Jean’s approach emphasizes balance, precision, and respect for site — letting vineyard character and vintage conditions speak, rather than imposing a signature style.

McLaren Vale, Done Different

Where others in the Vale blend a GSM, Tapara makes a GSC — building on the Grenache and Syrah this region does so well, but shifting the profile with Cabernet to create something distinctly ours. Our Hilltop block, originally planted as Chardonnay and later grafted with Syrah, has been returned to its Chardonnay roots — picked early, fermented in barrel, and made in a style that runs against the trend of moving Chardonnay out of the Vale and into the Adelaide Hills.

These are not contrarian choices for their own sake. They are the result of paying close attention to what this land can do, and having the confidence to follow that honestly.

The Land

Tapara’s vineyards rest on ancient soils shaped over hundreds of millions of years. Combined with cooling coastal influences and a Mediterranean climate, this setting allows us to farm thoughtfully and harvest with intention.

The result is fruit of clarity, balance, and natural vitality.

Two people pointing at the vineyard at Tapara Vineyards

Art and Artistry

Art is woven into Tapara’s identity – from the labels on our bottles to the pottery studio on site.

Creative practice sharpens attention. It invites patience, play, and humility. It reminds us that how something is made matters as much as the final result.

Tapara Pottery Studio

Big cat sketch

Tapara Pottery Studio

The Studio

The Tapara studio, home to Poppitz Pottery, is a working space for making—clay, form, texture, and process.

It exists not as a showcase, but as a practice. The lessons of the studio—patience, imperfection, presence—inform how we approach everything we do.

Campfire at Tapara Vineyards

The People

Tapara is shaped by a small, dedicated team of growers, makers, and collaborators.

Our work is guided by experience, curiosity, and respect for the land, strengthened through collaboration with world-class winemaking partners.

Meet our Team