Rent a Vine Membership 2021, Pinot Noir or Chardonnay

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. At the beginning of February we will be able to let you know a firmer idea and a confirmed date will be given 7 days out.  You can expect it will be from mid February to mid 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 (there will be a choice of between 2-3 blends based on preferences and vintage conditions/wine quality for that year). 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 weekends so you could attend both if you pruchase the two memberships.

Can I do the workshops online?

This is a face to face membership which is reflecting 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.