Who we are

The Owners – Jeremy and Jacqueline

When Jacqueline and Jeremy first travelled to Italy, they found everything people said was true. The art was divine, the people were friendly, the food and wine were authentic and the countryside spectacular. They fell in love with the valley of the Chiesa del Carmine, with the gentle beauty of the Umbrian hills and the woodlands that stretch as far as the eye can see. They looked beyond the years of neglect, through the tangled acres of wire and concrete posts to see a valley created by nature perfect for olives and grapes and truffles.

The Winemaker – Giovanni Dubini

Giovanni Dubini is the owner of the Palazzone winery in Orvieto and makes some of the most age‐ worthy white wines in all of Italy. He has also won numerous awards for his reds during his 40 year winemaking career. We are fortunate to have his guiding hand and words of experience at Chiesa del Carmine as our consultant winemaker. His winemaking philosophy is to keep it simple with as little intervention as possible during the process of growing and making wine. His own property produces wine organically, not by choice but by mere custom, just as the Chiesa del Carmine estate does. Giovanni has received the coveted ‘Premio Cangrande’ at Vinitaly for producers who are leaders in their field and have made outstanding contributions.

The Viticulturalist – Stefano Dini

Viticulturalist, Stefano Dini, loves his muddy boots, pruning shears and camera and is rarely seen without them. He studied Agricultural Science and Technology at the University of Florence and initially worked at Col d’Orcia estate in Montalcino followed by stints at Chalmers Nursery and Kooyong Estate in Australia. He now works for the Matura Group as a consultant both in Italy and abroad. His special interest is organic and bio‐dynamic viticulture. He has one constant goal: the perfect ripening of the grapes, supporting the Carmine philosophy that great wines are made in the vineyard.

The Sommelier – Mattia Giambattista

Sommelier, Mattia Giambattista, loves wine. When he’s not working, he is on the lookout for new wines to taste, in between his other two passions, cycling and film. He studied Communications at the University of Perugia and then completed a Masters degree on the International Wine Trade. His passion for wine then lead him to qualify as a certified sommelier at Fondazione Italiana Sommelier. Prior to joining Chiesa del Carmine in November 2016, he worked for Scacciadiavoli Winery in Montefalco, and Lungarotti Winery in Torgiano, At both properties his role was to look after guests and run tastings and cellar tours, activities he enjoys very much. He joined Chiesa del Carmine after falling in love with the Carmine Estate and the quality of its wines.

The Estate Manager – David Lang

David Lang grew up on a sheep farm in country Australia. As a teenager he helped out during vintage at the nearby Otway Estate and Red Rock wineries. It was probably during this time that he developed his love of wine. He has worked alongside the owners since their arrival in Umbria, to bring the valley of Chiesa del Carmine back to its former agricultural glory. For the last 15 years, he and his family have lived at the top of the valley and so he is in the perfect strategic position to watch it develop and manage the process. He is passionate about Umbrian food, wine and the beautiful part of Italy he has chosen to call home.

The Farm Manager – Luciano Rosati

Luciano Rosati was the first full time employee of the Carmine Estate. He grew up in the Carmine valley and his family live at the end of the valley to this day. His knowledge of the estate is second to none on account of his years exploring it as a child. He has also spent his life absorbing its history from his family and neighbours, the previous custodians of the valley. He has a natural affinity with machinery and works on his family farm in his spare time. His rare holidays are spent producing some of the best sausages in Umbria from his beloved pigs. His ability to turn his hand to any task at a moment’s notice, whether it be driving an excavator or teaching a child to drive a four wheeler is one of the strengths of the Carmine Estate.