Our family name Fassina, is as closely associated with the SA wine industry as Penfolds or Wolf Blass, the Barossa or McLaren Vale.

Now SA’s longest running family fine wine store (and the second oldest in Australia) we were founded in 1975 by Joe Fassina and son Ross.

From humble beginnings as contract bottlers of vermouth, marsala and sparkling wine, we soon expanded into wine retailing opening our first store in Somerton Park in 1986. Rapid growth followed and by the early 1990s we owned 65 Vintage Cellars stores with partner Martin Bailey across South Australia and Victoria.

In 1992 Vintage Cellars was sold to the supermarket chain Coles but Joe, Ross and his sister Eleanor retained four stores which they renamed Super Cellars. This grew to a chain of 10 liquor stores spread around Adelaide and three in Melbourne, before the business was sold in 2003 to Woolworths.

After a three-year period of diversification into the hotel industry, Ross returned to retail, launching FassinaLiquor Merchants in 2006. Purchasing back some of our old Vintage Cellars shops as well as several former Liquorland outlets, we created the current chain of eight Fassina fine wine, beer and spirits stores.

Now as we enter our third generation, with the involvement of Ross’s family Adam and Elise, Fassina is embarking on an exciting new era, with new loyalty programs and updating our digital presence.

Over 45 years we have seen every high and low of the SA wine industry –from vine pulls and droughts to export booms and busts –while maintaining a sense of partnership with well-established brands as well as new and emerging boutique wineries.

We believe Fassina’s success in one of the most competitive and turbulent retail sectors in Australia, is a tribute to our family commitment to customer service.

We will never be a Dan Murphy’s because we care too much –about carrying our customer’s purchases to their car and providing ample parking; about the temperature controlled storage of all of our products; about thoughtfully curating our vast range of wine, beer and spirits so that they over deliver at every price point; and engaging with our many loyal supporters at tastings and events.

It has been and always will be our privilege to serve you.