We are very excited to announce that our Sparkling Shiraz has been awarded 96 points (GOLD) and Top in Category in the Winestate Magazine New Release March / April 2023 Wine Show results.

‘The Henry’ Sparkling Shiraz is Carmine’s Wines Flagship creation. Named in Tribute to the Henry Martin family who operated the Old Stonyfell Winery (Since 1858), until myself & family acquired it in 1980 – where my Passion for wine & making it has developed to today. This sparkling red wine style, was created by Australian Winemakers (over 80 years ago) & is now an Iconic, UNIQUELY Australian Celebration Wine.

• Voted best Value Sparkling Shiraz – for $20 & Under (Australia – New Zealand)– by WineState & WineSpirit Guide Magazines.
• Awarded 96pts (Gold), Top in Category and eligible for Wine of the Year in the Winestate Magazine New Release March/April 2023 Wine Show results.
• The Wine & Spirit Insider described The Henry Sparkling Shiraz as “Youthful and Fresh, clean and bright. Some lovely dark berry fruit, dusty oak and excellent sugar/acid balance”. Food & Wine said it is “Lip-smackingly spiffing”.

If you are looking for one of the best Australian Sparkling Shiraz, try Carmine’s Wines ‘The Henry’ Sparkling Shiraz. You will not be disappointed!

Cheers for now…. Carmine et Squad of Carmine’s Beverley Cellar.

Here is the essence of the wine industry, a bygone era, something that cannot be replicated today….Carmine’s Wines.

Carmine De Ieso founder of Carmine’s Wines, has been in the wine industry for many years. Winemaker and Sommelier, he learnt from the older original wine makers like Jack Kilgour and the Henry Martin Family, and now runs his own unique winery/cellar/wine museum in Beverley, South Australia, helped by a small group of old-world winemakers, producing original hand-crafted wine, rum and port in small batches. Everything is hand crafted, from start to finish, making Carmine’s Wines a very unique and interesting destination.

If you are after a pristine winery, with rolling hills of grapevines, then this is not the place for you. Carmine’s cellar is just as eccentric as the winemaker himself. Filled from top to bottom with wine barrells (some dating back to 1795), vintage wine and port, award winning wines and remnants of the past – every corner you turn you find an interesting piece of wine history.

If you love barrells you will love the fact that Carmine’s has its own Barrell Doctor, Ron Hann. Old oak barrels that have been found or purchased make their way here for some ‘barrel love’ where they undergo a deep clean and repairs. Not only that but you can buy barrells, have them filled with port and take them home to enjoy! Be warned, you might end up with a barrell collection.

As well as the Barrell Doctor, there are other very interesting and historic characters including the King of Champagne (story soon to come) and of course famous Chef Joe, one of the original great chefs of South Australia.

A visit to Carmine’s Wines is an adventure. If you make your way there on an open day, you will be greeted by Carmine, the eccentric Italian who lives for wine and loves sharing his love for wine with people who visit the cellar. Wine tasting, delicious nibbles, a tour of the cellar and a trip down wine history lane. And if you are lucky enough, you will get to hear Chef Joe on his squeezebox.

You will find that one visit is not enough to soak in every part as every time you return you find something different. And of course, the wine tasting – who doesn’t love wine tasting! And be warned – you will probably leave with a case of two, as once you taste the amazing creations, you will definitely fall in love with Carmine’s Wines.

Open day’s at Carmine’s Wines – Sunday’s from 12pm. 8 Charles Road, Beverley.

Where do we start……Chef Joe affectionally as he is known, is referred to as one of the original great chefs of South Australia that has created and introduced original iconic dishes like Risotto Bolognese, Filet Mignon, Carpet Bag Steak and Thermidor Steak.

From the earliest beginnings of the famous ‘Vittorios Restaurant’ in Hindley Street, Adelaide – in the early 1960’s, the first to have live music and late night trading approved by the famous Sir Don Dunstan. Then with his brother Vittorio De Ieso, continued his love and adventure of hospitality in South Australia setting up further iconic restaurants such as the Drumminor Restaurant, Stonyfell Winery and the Hindley Pasta Palace (for pasta just like mama used to make!) to name a few.

Chef Joe has been awarded many State and National awards for his culinary art and achievements. But equally as important, his apprenticeships have included the likes of Andrew Fielke (most revered Australiana chef), Mark McNamara (5 star cuisine, Eliza in the Barossa Valley) and Maggie Bears (perfecting her art in true European pate making). Under auspcie, and for the contribution to the hospitality world in South Australia, the De Ieso family were the first inductees to the Hall of Fame for their contribution.

Joe and familigia were also specialists in major catering under the bracket of ‘Classic Caterers’, serving for the likes of John Howard and for the famous bicentennial celebration Opera in the Outback, in 1988.

This is just a short snippet of the famous Chef Joe, who today is retired but helping at his eldest’s son’s boutique working winery / museum, Carmine’s Wines, preparing light lunches for the Wednesday work crew, in order to keep his hand in culinary experience. Some people are even lucky enough to be invited as guests to enjoy some vino and famous Chef Joes nibbly creations and hear him play on his squeezebox.

In honour of Chef Joe’s birthday, ‘The Tribute Rare Tawny’ will be officially released and available for sale in March, personally signed by Joe. This 60-year-old fortified was bottled in tribute to Giuseppe (Chef Joe) De Ieso and family’s arrival in Australia 60 years ago and for the contributions to the Australian hospitality and wine industry.

Cheers for now…. Carmine et Squad of Carmine’s Beverley Cellar.

Here at Carmine’s Wines we have our very own Barrel Doctor, Ron Hann.  Old oak barrels that have been found or purchased make their way here for some ‘barrel love’ where they undergo a deep clean and repairs.

For the person off the street, when you look at one of these old barrels you might think it is ready for the scrap heap. But, far from it! These old barrels can be as old as 150 years and are used over and over again to harmonise the wines. Maturation in oak barrels causes the wine to evolve and age in a specific way, allowing the slow ingress of oxygen, a process which makes wines taste smoother and less astringent. It also adds tannins structure and flavour.

Ron has been saving old barrels for many years. It takes time, patience and expertise to bring these old beauties back to life, something Ron has time and passion for.

A man with many talents – Ron has been a friend with myself & the De Ieso Famiglia (Restauranters & Wine Worlds – owned Old Stonyfell Winery for over 35 years). Ronaldo, as I call him, worked in the early Antarctic expeditions for 2 years  – he is a Qualified Electrician & Aviation coordinator, ‘Chair Doctor’ – now ‘Barrel Doctor’ and much more. ‘Mr Fix it of ALL’ – basically if something/situation needs to be fixed, he can provide a solution. (NB – he is also now our Coffee Master – Barista & machine fixer…..he loves to make his own blend Espresso to kick start his Day at The Cellar).

Truly a unique man, that has a story on All… if you are fortunate enough to sit next to him at the lunch table after our days work, enjoy over a glass of our handcrafted vinos!

As well as resurrecting old barrels, Carmine’s Wines also sells new Oak Port barrels which are made by a ‘Master Cooper’ from the Barossa Valley. Cooper or ‘cupa’ is the person who makes oak fortified and large format barrels.

Oak Port barrels can range in size from approximately 5 litres to 25 litres, and all the way to commercial sizes. You can purchase a seasoned barrel as is or fill with one of our delicious fortified products.

Barrels can be used to store fortifieds including port, muscat, sherry, brandy, cognac and even spirits.

If you have a wine barrel that needs repair or you are interested in purchasing a new barrel, contact Carmine.

Cheers for now…. as we start planning for “Our Vintage “…Carmine et Squad of Carmine’s Beverley Cellar.