Austin’s uncorks Rent a Vine experience

MOORABOOL Valley winery Austin’s Wines has popped the cork on a new personalised winemaking experience, set to begin next year.

Rent a Vine is the first program of its kind in the region and will give participants their own row of vines at Austin’s over the course of a year, enabling the opportunity to create their very own personalised vintage of pinot noir.

The process takes place over 12 months, finishing with an end of year celebration where participants will take home their own custom blend of pinot noir.

Limited to only 50 takers, the Rent a Vine experience includes five catered workshops at Austin’s, previously known as Austins & Co, participants will receive up to 20 hours with an Austin’s winemaker and will be involved in all stages of the winemaking process. This includes grape picking and crushing, vineyard pruning, blending, as well as bottling and branding.

Austin’s Wines owner Scott Austin said the Rent a Vine concept was something that he and wife Belinda were excited to bring to life.

“This is a great opportunity for wine connoisseurs to experience the process behind the bottle. Rent a Vine guests will be part of the entire winemaking process over a year and will walk away with a case of their very own, unique vintage pinot noir,” he said.

“This is the first time we’ve ever introduced something like this, and we’re looking forward to showing everyone what really goes into winemaking, whilst also giving our guests a series of luxury experiences at the same time.”

The Austin family has been making wine since the early 1980s.

“Winemaking is in our blood, it’s our passion. It will be great to share our insight and process to this degree for the first time with Rent a Vine,” Scott said.

Austin’s has also released some innovative new wines, including a limited-edition late harvest riesling and, for the first time, a cuvee.

For more information or to join the waitlist, head to austinswines.com.au.