Swanbourne Cellars

Steve Perry: Steve has been expertly advising and educating Perth’s western suburbs on wine since 1985. He was a director of the legendary Cottesloe Wine Store – John Coppins until 1997 and has been at Swanny Cellars since 1997 and now leads the team as General Manager.

He has travelled extensively around the wine-growing regions of Australia and New Zealand plus has visited the wine regions of France and Italy whilst also being the Chairman of the Liquor Barons Tasting Panel for more than 10 Years.

If he were stranded on a desert island his Desert Island Drink: Champagne and plenty of it! The famous phrase from Madame Lily Bollinger comes to mind!

Stef Biagi: Since joining the wine trade 12 years ago, Stef has been a part of the management team of six fine wine stores in WA (including 2 Liquor Barons stores) and has a loyal customer base who track him down for his latest recommendations. He has completed all of the wine courses at the Wine Education Centre (Claremont Showgrounds) and the WSET Level 2 International Wine qualification.

Stef specialises in finding vinous gems from boutique vineyards, including European wines and is responsible for sourcing, cataloguing, preparing and tasting all wines for the esteemed Liquor Barons Wine Panel and our weekly instore tasting.

Desert Island Drink: If he were stranded on a desert island…well there’s plenty of international and Australian wines to choose from but at this time of year, Coopers Green!

Tony Gangemi: Since he was a young boy his parents’ owned the well known West Perth store Gangemi’s. Tony was brought up in the retail environment and has been a provider of services in the retail liquor industry for many years.

Tony is our Senior Retail Manager responsible for all shop operations and logistics. He has a keen palate and advocates balance and generosity in all his wines. He shuns the pretentious side of wine and has many loyal followers of his recommendations.

If he were stranded on a desert island his Dessert Island Drink: It has to be Champagne!

Sam: Sam has been working at Swanbourne Cellars for nearly 6 years. His love for craft beer has been growing over the past 3 years. What he loves most about beer is that the industry is always progressing with new breweries popping up and new styles pushing the boundaries.

Sam is the beer buyer at Swanbourne Cellars and in this role, 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. This is a family owned and run business which makes working here different from a lot of other places. It’s also great to be able to explore the beer and wine industry through my role at the store.”

His two favourite beers for every day drinking is Balter XPA and Rogers. His two top beers of all time is Garage Project’s Cherry Bomb and Hop Nation Kalash. Brekeriet Purple Rain is his top Sour. At the shop Sam is able to taste a lot of new products that are becoming available.

If Sam was stranded on a desert Island he would probably take a block of Export and get nostalgic with thoughts of his youth!

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’s 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. He’s next off 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 plans to go 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’s 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 next holiday he’ll be hiking in Lima, Peru later in the year.

James: James’ favourite beer is Mash Brewing’s Indian Ale Summer Ale, he loves Pinots and Ron Zacapa XO (rum). Over winter he’ll be 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’s favourite beer at the moment is the Balter XPA, wine broadly, cabernet sauvignons and his favourite spirit would probably be Sailor Jerry’s rum. At the moment he’s experimenting with as many beers as possible, trying to get acquainted with the influx of craft beers that Swanny has on offer, namely the Balter IIPA and Colonials ‘Inquest’Imperial Stout. Ollie loves the people that he works with, how easy going and friendly everyone is, and is excited to keep learning about and being exposed to the amazing wines and beers that are in the shop. Ollie is currently studying a bachelor of commerce, doing a double major in Economics and Finance at the University of WA. The next place he’ll travel to will be somewhere warm, with good waves and good food, most likely somewhere in Indonesia or north of WA to Gnaraloo.

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!

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. Her next holiday will be to Denmark and Margaret River.

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!