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.
