Starting out at of one of Melbourne’s most popular restaurants at a time when eight-year-olds were allowed to clear tables, empty ashtrays and refill water glasses, Alex is now co-owner and sommelier at The Salopian Inn.
With the hospitality gene strong on both sides of his family, Alex grew to become the Assistant Restaurant Manager and run the beverage program at Marchetti’s Latin and Marchetti’s Tuscan Grill. Consistently rated as one of the best Italian Restaurants in Australia, Marchetti’s Latin’s wine list was well recognised, with over 600 wines sourced from across from Australia and Italy.
A brief stint followed shaking cocktails for gangsters at a gambling institution in Melbourne before Alex moved to Sydney to take the beverage reigns at the iconic Iceberg’s Dining Room and Bar. Here Alex was mentored by industry legend Maurice Terzini and met his current business partner, Karena Armstrong. Over the next decade with the Icebergs Group, Alex was an integral cog in the opening and running of North Bondi Italian Food, Giuseppe, Arnaldo & Sons and Neild Avenue, in Sommelier and Restaurant Manager roles.
Three weeks after meeting his future wife, Alex chose to stay at work rather than join her on a weekend away in McLaren Vale. On the phone from her birthday lunch at Fino Willunga, with her bubbling with excitement about the amazing food and service, Alex realised his mistake. As Restaurant Manager and Sommelier, Alex led the team at Pure South with Ashley Davis to help the restaurant reclaim its former glory. Once gaining one hat status, Alex and his family moved to McLaren Vale in search of a more balanced life.
After almost two years working with the extraordinary talents of Sharon Romeo and David Swain at both Fino Willunga and assisting them with the initial setup of Fino Seppeltsfield, Alex joined the partnership at The Salopian Inn at the end of 2015. Working as Restaurant Manager and now Sommelier, Alex has worked closely with Karena as she has led the restaurant to be known across Australia for its support of local, sustainable and seasonal food and wine producers. At The Salopian Inn, Alex’s wine lists have been consistently awarded 3 Goblets in The Wine List of the Year Awards, and have been annually nominated for numerous awards
When he’s not undertaking his most important role to date, as Dad-Uber for his children’s numerous activities, Alex indulges his passion and interest in the evolving Australian wine and spirits scene, especially championing the many small and passionate producers of the Fleurieu Peninsula. Alex is an Ambassador for Catherine House this year, supporting South Australian women facing homeless, giving time to this cause and being a positive male role model in the community that he now calls home. Having the opportunity to work every day with the extraordinary team at The Salopian Inn, in a beautiful food and wine focussed region, Alex strongly agrees with the name of the Salopian House Gin – Happy is the New Rich.
