Sure we sell wine, but our business is really hospitality; and the one real essential in doing this right, is having the right people doing it!
La Cantina is a natural progression from of our Italian grocery, Il Mercato, a family business based in Adelaide’s suburban ‘Italian Quarter’ for decades. People remark on what a wonderful sight it all is upfront, being a (rather large) shop bursting with Italian made or inspired food and accessories – while outback is driven and supported by motivated, professional people. They say it feels just like an… Italian supermercato.

So it’s actually quite important for us to introduce you to our team; these are some of the people who will play a part in choosing the wines we offer you; in displaying them, providing information, packing and getting them to you when you buy them. As you know, one doesn’t work too well without the others!

John Caporaso – Proprietor – came back to the family business from the building trade to develop the iconic Imma & Mario’s into Il Mercato and its winestore La Cantina. Johns puts respect for people and a desire to offer authenticity and value, as his main business principles.

David Ridge – Wine Advisor – already a regular Il Mercato customer, David has been ‘integrated’ into the team to help choose the wines and advise in taking them to market – based on his more than 2 decades as one of Australia’s foremost experts on Italian wines.

Christian Canala – La Cantina Manager – Adelaide Uni winemaking student with pedigree; his uncle is famous winemakerJoe Grilli. Even at his young age Christian has a natural understanding of Italian wines and knowing that their role is not one in isolation.

Cynthia Porciello – The IT manager – Cyn understands what makes the newsletter and website work, who should do what and then just tells us who will do what – and by when!