Learn how to make Pinot Noir or Chardonnay with Austin’s
This year-long immersive Rent a Vine experience will take your wine interest to the next level.
Over 12 months you’ll enjoy a series of winemaking events and behind-the-scenes access to an Austin’s winemaker.
At the end, you’ll leave with two dozen wines that are a custom ‘Rent a Vine’ blend from the 2021 vintage.
Create your very own wine, personalised with your chosen label. And savour the result with friends and family for years to come.
Learn the process from picking to blending, bottling to branding. A truly unique gift for yourself, the wine lover in your life, or for that person who has everything
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Your own row of vines named after you for the year
- 2 dozen custom labelled bottles of pinot noir or chardonnay (RRP $1080)
- 5 hands-on workshops throughout the year
- End of year celebration party
- Winemakers welcome pack
- Access to an Austin’s winemaker
- Access to an exclusive Facebook group and updates throughout the year
- 10% off Austin’s wines and wine club
PARTNER MEMBERSHIP ALSO INCLUDES:
- An additional 6 pack of wine valued at $270
- Partner pass to all 5 workshops
WORKSHOP DATES
Get your hands dirty and discover the ins and outs of a working winery, from vineyard to glass.
Workshop 1: Picking and Crushing
- Pinot Noir – March 20th (TBC, pending vintage/weather conditions)
- Chardonnay – March 21st (TBC, pending vintage/weather conditions)
Workshop 2: Tasting
- Pinot Noir – May 15th
- Chardonnay – May 16th
Workshop 3: Vineyard Pruning
- Pinot Noir – July 17th
- Chardonnay – July 18th
Workshop 4: Barrel Tasting and Blending
- Pinot Noir – September 11th
- Chardonnay – September 12th
Workshop 5: Celebration Party
- Pinot Noir and Chardonnay – December 4th
For more information on the workshops please visit the rent a vine page
FAQ’s
When will we know the workshop dates?
The known workshop dates are above. The timing of the March vintage workshop is dependent on external weather events and vintage. We will be able to let you know a firmer idea in February and a confirmed date will be given 7 days out. You can expect it will be from late February to end March.
What happens if I can not make a workshop?
We are more than happy to fill in for you in case you can’t attend – don’t worry you will still receive your wine at the end. You are also more than welcome to send someone in your place for that workshop.
What makes the wine customised?
The wine will be a unique blend to the Rent a Vine members and one that you had a hand in making. Your allocation will also be labelled with your customised label. There will be three designs to choose from that will be customised with your details or you are more than welcome to design your own label and we will organise printing.
How much physical labour is involved?
As little or as much as you like. We want you to experience winemaking without the hard work. Pick for an hour or two or simply observe as you wish. We have staff on hand to assist as needed. Our main aim is that you enjoy yourself and learn as you go.
Can I cancel my membership?
We do not offer refunds to the rent-a-vine membership 4 weeks out from the first workshop. If you notify us prior to this time we will happily refund you minus $200 administration costs. If for whatever reason you are unable to fulfil your place in the program throughout the year it can be transferred to another person in your place.
For financial hardship or external conditions such as another lockdown, compensation can be discussed on a case by case basis.
Is there transport available to and from the workshops?
We can organise a bus pick up from Geelong station to and from the winery for the first and last workshop only. We recommend car pooling with other participants for the workshops where possible and this can be organised in the Facebook group.
What winemakers/team will be hosting the workshops?
We have a team of people who will assist in hosting the workshops and it may change depending on the area of expertise. Our team are a talented and passionate bunch, which always makes for an enjoyable day. There will be one point of contact for the program though to enable consistency throughout the year.
What wine is made?
The Rent a Vine members make a team batch of custom pinot noir or chardonnay, simply choose your preferred wine when purchasing.
Can I swap between pinot noir and chardonnay workshops or do both?
Due to logistics, admin and wine management you can only make one wine, unless you would like to purchase two separate memberships. The pinot noir and chardonnay workshops will be held on separate days so you could attend both if you purchase the two memberships.
What will happen in the case of another lockdown?
We are happy to offer every member a part or full refund based on how many workshops have been attended and if they would like to purchase their wine. We will deduct $250 for each workshop attended. The wine is valued at retail of $45 per bottle.
Can I do the workshops online?
This is a face to face membership which is reflected in the price. If you wish to learn about making wine remotely we suggest you purchase a Virtual Membership which can be found here.
WHERE IS AUSTIN’S LOCATED?
Austin’s Wines is a family owned vineyard in the Moorabool Valley, Geelong. A leisurely fifty minute drive from Melbourne our award winning winery is amongst some of Australia’s’ best pinot noir producers including Clyde Park, Bannockburn, By Farr and Lethbridge. Established in 1982, we have one of the largest single family holdings of pinot noir in Australia, 90 acres. We produce quality fruit that is used across our two brands – 6Ft6 and Austin’s that are enjoyed by wine lovers throughout Australia, the USA and China.
CAN I PAY RENT A VINE IN INSTALMENTS?
Yes choose the relevant product to pay in instalments. There will be four instalments over 12 months, your credit card will be deducted each quarter. It is your responsibility to ensure the credit card has sufficient funds prior to the next payment deadline.
AUSTIN’S VINEYARD
Austin’s has been located in the heart of the Moorabool Valley since 1990, a cool climate wine region steeped in rich history. Nestled between Geelong & Ballarat, the Moorabool Valley’s small, family run vineyards provide rich and intense low yield fruit, an ideal terroir for producing award-winning wines.
The Austin’s Estate is across 1,500 acres, with 150 under vine. The land boasts rich volcanic, limestone soils and a terrain that sits in a rain shadow.
Challenging weather conditions makes the Moorabool Valley one of the most complicated places to make wine, yet it produces some of the region’s best wines, notably, pinot noir.
Sitting on the ocean floor some 20,000 years ago, this land has been reclaimed by millennia of volcanic activity. Geelong’s Moorabool Valley sub-region has a tough limestone and basalt base. This gives the sub-region its unique terroir and provides the ideal free-draining soil for our grapevines.
Moorabool Valley’s cool climate is continental by nature but still moderated by its proximity to the ocean. This provides perfect conditions to grow world-class wines. All our vines are planted north–south and trained vertically. The canopies are managed to provide enough light and air into the fruit zone to maximise vine quality and health.
Careful irrigation during the growing season ensures healthy vine growth and even ripening which is the key to quality fruit.
Read more about the Moorabool Valley region here.
REFUNDS & TRANSFERS
There are no refunds for Rent a Vine membership if you cancel within thirty (30) days of the program commencing (program commences February 13, 2021). If you cancel the Rent a Vine membership before 30 days of the program commencing, you will receive a refund minus a $200 administration and replacement fee.
You are able to transfer your membership at any time throughout the year or alternatively you can still keep your custom wine without attending any of the remaining workshops.
If there are any further lockdowns which prevent the workshops from going ahead, we will offer each participant the option to complete an online program or a part or full refund. Each workshop is valued at $250 and wine is valued at $45 per bottle. The amount refunded will depend on the number of workshops completed and if the wine will still be purchased.
OUR GUARANTEE
We stand by the quality of our programs and offer a money back guarantee at the end of the program if you are not happy with the Rent a Vine membership. If you request a refund, you will not be eligible to receive your allocation of wine. We have had a 100% satisfaction with our 2020 program.
What a beacon of light Rent a Vine has been during this trashfire of a year. The team at Austin’s has gone over and above to make sure our experience met (and exceeded!) expectations. There’s been something in it for everyone – from experienced wine connoisseurs to casual drinkers and everyone in between. Peeking behind the winemaking curtain has given me a whole new appreciation for my favourite beverage. A+++ 100% would recommend.
The at home barrel tasting and cheese pairing with a preview of the new releases was a highlight and something to look forward to during lockdown. Really enjoyed our virtual wine nights!
Learning the process of making wine has only made me appreciate that glass of Pinot Noir even more. The team at Austin’s have provided the perfect balance of fun and education with their Rent a Vine program. Highly recommend for anyone chasing a unique experience.
Thanks again for putting together this amazing wine education program! The Covid world has been a tricky one, and you handled it smoothly whilst keeping all participants included, informed and feeling loved!