Our Team
Our beer and wine experts can help you for any occasion; whether it be a birthday function, corporate event or you’re looking for a special bottle to share with close friends. Steve and Stef head up the wine division with Tony specialising in spirits.
Steve
Stef
Tony
The Apprentices
Our managers couldn’t run the shop without the help of our apprentices; our part time staff!
They work with us on the shop floor advising customers on the best deals, wines and beers based on their budget and occasion. They also help the team delivering wines, beer and spirits for both public and private functions.
Our part time team is made up of some great people with different backgrounds but all brought together for their love of beer, wine and spirits!
Sam: Sam loves beer, for wine he drinks whatever is red and has the most Biagi points and enjoys Sailor Jerry Rum. Over winter he has drinking more stout and dark beers. He loves working at a bottle shop because of the team and the customers; you’re always meeting people who are going to have a good time. He’s studying to be a teacher as he likes helping people gain an understanding of something they didn’t know…And sharing knowledge which is similar to what he does at Swanny Cellars. His last holiday was to Japan in the New Year with his lady.
David: David has been working at Swanny Cellars for over 1 year and his favourite beer is Heffelweiser, wine is Tirra Lirra White Field Blend and rum is his favourite spirit. Over winter he’s been trying Mercurey hard cider. Working at Swanny Cellars, David loves the camaraderie, discussing the highs and low of footy and tasting new beers and wines. Currently studying Commerce as he likes economics and history, he headed to Japan in the New Year to ski with a few friends
Nick: Nick’s favourite beer is Boston Boondie Rye Pale Ale, favourite wine; 2016 Swinney Riesling and favourite spirit is Bombay Sapphire Gin. Over winter, he has been drinking 4 Pines Stout which goes down very nicely in these colder months! The possibility to discover a range of beers, wines, spirits you wouldn’t try otherwise is what Nick loves about working at a bottle shop. Currently studying Health & Physical Education at Notre Dame University as he loves sport and working with kids. Next holiday destination will most likely be London or New York.
Jimmy: Jimmy’s favourite beer, wine and spirits is Brew Dog Punk IPA, Wilyabrup Estate Cabernet Sauvignon and Kraken Spiced Rum. And over winter will be looking forward to trying more of the 4 Pines Cherry Coconut Brown Ale on a cold night. He’s just joined the team and loves working in a bottle shop because he’s exposed to a much larger variety of beers and wines, and can learn much more about them. Currently on a gap year looking to start a Bachelor of Audio at SAE Quantm next year, Jimmy loves music and am very interested in learning more about its creation. His last holiday saw him hiking in Lima, Peru.
James: James’ favourite beer is Mash Brewing’s Indian Ale Summer Ale, he loves Pinots and Ron Zacapa XO (rum). Over winter he was drinking more Cabernet Sauvignons as they go well with all the winter dinners. James enjoys working at a bottle shop because he loves sampling all the new beers and wines that come through the doors and recommending the best to the customers. James is studying Physiotherapy; inspired by a physio who guided him through a long rehab a few years ago and he can’t wait to do the same for others. His next holiday is to the Whitsundays!
Ollie: Ollie has been at the store for 2.5 years and has just completed a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Finance & Economics. His favourite wine is the Pannell Family Pinot Noir, his favourite beer is La Sirène Citray Sour and Gin is his top spirit. Over the warmer months, he’s looking forward to trying some of Swanny’s ‘natural wines’ particularly Pét-Nats and some sour beers. Working at Swanny, he enjoys learning more about the different grape and wine varieties and using that knowledge at work to help customers.
Rachel: Rachel manages the orders at Swanny Cellars and just loves bubbles; Moët & Chandon or Veuve Clicquot. Over winter she’ll be drinking more red in front of the fire place. Rachel loves working with such fantastic and knowledgeable staff. Outside of work Rachel is kept busy taking her children to various sporting events; swimming, surf club and netball. She’s hoping her next holiday is to somewhere warm with sun-drenched beaches along with a nice cocktail to sip!
Perri: Perri is in charge of paying suppliers and all of us so we always make sure we’re even nicer to her! Perri has just come back from an amazing 6 week trip to France, Spain, England and Italy. She’s tried so many wines and beers, she doesn’t know which ones are her favourite anymore! Outside of work at the moment she’s reminiscing of her fabulous holiday and planning her next trip!
Claudia: Claudia has been working at Swanny Cellars for over 10 months in the Accounts Department. She enjoys James Boag’s Premium Lager, Shiraz & Grenache blends and likes the range of Gins out on the market. Over summer Claudia will be exploring and enjoying more Gin & Tonics. Since starting at Swanny Cellars, she has enjoyed having first hand expert knowledge of beers, wines and spirits from the staff. When Claudia is not managing suppliers and customers’ accounts, you will find her far away from a computer either hiking, camping, reading or gardening. She hasn’t yet planned her next trip away but it will definitely include her camper trailer and exploring the outback.
Ruth: Ruth works behind the scenes on all things online marketing. Since working at Swanny Cellars, she’s discovered craft beer and her favourite beer is Brew Dog Elvis Juice, her favourite wine; Fraser Gallop Parterre Chardonnay and favourite spirit: Hendrick’s Gin. Over winter she’s been trying a few tasty Pinots! She likes working in a bottle shop as it means she can learn so much more about beers and wines! Outside of work she swims and try to surf as much as possible. While based in Adelaide Ruth interviewed winemakers across the many wine regions including Barossa & Clare Valley, McLaren Vale as the “Roaming Reporter.”
Sam
Our beer and wine team has a wealth of experience in wine, spirits, beer and customer service. Among the 4 managers, they have 40 years of working at Swanbourne Cellars.
Steve has been working at Swanbourne Cellars for over 22 years, Tony for over 18, Stef for 10 years and Sam for 7 years. So when you come to the store, you know you’re in experienced hands!
Steve has been in the wine trade since the 1980’s and is well respected and well-known both in and out of the industry. Steve worked at the famous John Coppins for 10 years before joining the Swanny team. As general manager of Swanbourne Cellars, he is the wine buyer, manages the stock and works closely with the team. It was Steve who set up the current layout of the blind tasting at the bi weekly Panel tastings and ran it for its first 10 years. He has just celebrated 22 years working as Manager for Swanbourne Cellars
Stef has been working in the wine trade for over 20 years running and managing stores in Nedlands, Mount Lawley, Wembley, City Beach, Dalkeith and has been at Swanbourne Cellars for 10 years. A few years ago he travelled to Spain tasting wines and sampling the fantastic food. He was blown away by the amazing experience, culture and time away. Keep up to date with Stef’s Wine of the Week and his Top 5 from the Panel across our pages on Instagram and Facebook. Or if you prefer to read emails, we mention his recommendations in there too!
Tony has been in retail since before he was born with his family owning and running the legendary retail store; Gangemi’s in Perth. As the retail manager, Tony is in charge of shop floor and ordering the spirits not to mention advising customers on their purchases. Whisky is Tony’s interest and new found love is gin. Tony has been working 18 years at Swanbourne Cellars.
Sam has been the beer buyer at Swanbourne Cellars for a number of years. Within this role, he is able to taste many of new beers on the market. The best part of his job is as he says, “is the people I work with and the community vibe we have with the customers.”