Introducing our new Winemaker, Kieran Lennox
Auckland, New Zealand may be where Kieran Lennox, our new winemaker grew up, but the true beginning of his wine journey lies much further away – in Paris. Moving there at just 20 years old, Kieran spent three years immersed in the city’s vibrant food and wine culture. It was in Paris that a fascination with the way wine expresses place, history and craftsmanship first inspired him.
Training in Hawke’s Bay and Early Foundations
Returning home, Kieran pursued winemaking and viticulture at EIT in Hawke’s Bay – “A lot of awesome Chardonnay and Syrah is made in the region, and they have many boutique producers doing cool and interesting things.” During this time, he gained valuable experience at Craggy Range and De La Terre, working alongside producers who treated winemaking as both art and science.
A Passion for Cool-Climate Regions
Since then, Kieran’s career has taken him across some of the world’s most respected wine regions. He has made wine in the Yarra Valley, Geelong, Burgundy and even England, exploring styles and techniques that continue to influence his approach today.
Before joining Austin’s, he was a winemaker at Provenance Wines in Geelong, working extensively with fruit from Geelong, Ballarat and Henty—particularly Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Prior to that, he spent time at Seville Estate in the Upper Yarra Valley, further strengthening his passion for cool-climate expression.
Why Austins and the Moorabool Valley?
Kieran is looking forward to crafting powerful Pinot Noir and delicious, expressive Chardonnay that spotlight the unique character of the Moorabool valley and the nuances of each growing season. “Great wine expresses a specific place and season, and drinking it lets you travel there and understand it. I love having the opportunity to capture that and share it with others.”
A Winemaking Philosophy Grounded in Balance
Kieran’s approach to winemaking is a thoughtful balance of three elements:
- the style he aims to create,
- the realities of the growing season,
- and the inherent character of the vines and vineyard.
By staying responsive to all three, he aims to make wines that are honest, expressive and uniquely tied to where they originate.
His Favourite Wine?
When it comes to personal favourites, Beechworth Chardonnay is a standout—textural, pure and beautifully structured to hold oak. For reds, he admits to being a little snobbish, with a soft spot for Chambolle-Musigny. And naturally, he recommends that both pair perfectly with a generous slice of 24-month Comté.
What wine is he most excited about from the 2025 vintage?
“If we’re talking 2025, one variety clearly steals the spotlight: Shiraz. A hot, dry season created ideal conditions for ripening, leading to a wine that is powerful, silky and bursting with black pepper character. In cooler years, Shiraz at Austin’s can show greener notes such as tomato leaf—but not in 2025. This was a year where the variety truly excelled.”
With global experience, a passion for cool-climate expression and a philosophy rooted in authenticity, Kieran is excited to begin shaping the next chapter at Austin’s, crafting wines that capture the spirit of the Moorabool Valley and the seasons that define it. We look forward to introducing him to you all!