![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/2021_DEC9_AustinsWi_19275.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAFTER years of dreaming, planning and building, local family-owned Austin\u2019s Wines new Cellar Door provides a wine experience not to be missed.<\/p>\n
Scott and Belinda \u2018Belle\u2019 Austin are second-generation owners of Austin\u2019s Wines, a winery located 20 minutes from Geelong in Sutherland Creek.<\/p>\n
Six years ago, they had an idea to convert their shearing shed into a cellar door, but didn\u2019t think it was much more than a pipe dream.<\/p>\n
The shearing shed sits between their office and the winery, with a beautiful view of the vines, and was still being used for shearing when it first caught Scott and Belle\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe saw the building and we thought it could be something quite special. It was just a bit of imagination, a lot of imagination actually, because it was pretty run down,\u201d Belle said.<\/p>\n
Still, they spoke to an architect, just to investigate.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen the architect did the plans that confirmed, yep this could be absolutely amazing,\u201d Belle said.<\/p>\n
She said from then on, although it was a long arduous road to see the dream become a reality, the couple were set on converting the shearing shed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could have just built a new building somewhere and it probably would have happened a lot quicker, but we knew it wouldn\u2019t be as special.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was actually still being used to shear sheep up until a week before we renovated it, so we even had to create new sheep yards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Building the Cellar Door was a new venture for the family and with young children and a business to manage, Scott and Belle lent on their team and the wider community to see the dream come to life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got three young kids; 8, 6 and a two year old, so\u2026 I don\u2019t know how we got here but we got here.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have lots of help, there have been a lot of people that played their part.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really nice to have the project in lockdown too, it gave all our team something to look forward to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Belinda\u2019s father-in-law and founder of the vineyard Richard Austin gave the go-ahead to convert the shed and led the landscaping for the project.<\/p>\n
The building and interior design was also a team effort, with architect Matt Goodman bringing the shed to life and Liz Gant, business development manager, leading the design of the project.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe always have a local first approach where we can, so we worked with a lot of local businesses,\u201d Belle said.<\/p>\n
Local businesses that worked on the project included Trak Constructions, Grummie Furniture, Geelong Tiles & Bathware, and furniture from Thonet and more.<\/p>\n
Scott and Belle also brought the community along on their journey through a crowdfunding initiative, selling their excess wine in lockdowns that would usually be sold to restaurants and at events.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had this excess wine and we thought \u2018we need to sell it\u2019. We need money to build this Cellar Door and I think people would really like to get behind this,\u201d Belle said.<\/p>\n
More than 500 people joined in, buying wine and putting towards the new building.<\/p>\n
The vineyard hosted a special pre-opening for those who contributed, carving contributors name into a plaque on the Cellar Door.
\n\u201cThey felt part of the journey, part of the project\u2026 it was really nice to have them here,\u201d Belle said.<\/p>\n
After six years of dreaming and three years of building, the Cellar Door officially opens to the public today (Thursday, January 27).<\/p>\n
Visitors will be able to book seated tastings, or a guided master class, or come in for a casual glass of wine and enjoy the view inside or from a picnic on the grass with child-friendly open lawns and an outdoor space for dogs on leashes.<\/p>\n
Guests can build their own cheese platter, or buy lunch from Sticks and Bones BBQ on Saturdays and Sundays.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Belle said the Cellar Door ultimately captures the heart of what Austin\u2019s Wines is, seeing people enjoy great win.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can just simply sit down, enjoy a beautiful cheese platter and a glass of wine and just look at the beautiful views,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want to have a homely, welcoming feel. We\u2019d like it to be a home base for our wine club and a place where people can come, pour a glass of wine, bring their friends.\u201d The couple is already dreaming of hosting events, live music, bonfire nights, grape picking days and more.<\/p>\n Belle says their next big project will be accommodation, with more ideas already growing in Belle and Scott\u2019s creative minds.<\/p>\n \u201cAlready we were bursting at the seams last weekend at our pre-opening!\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The Cellar Door is open Thursday to Friday from 11am to 5pm with the occasional sunset session.<\/p>\n To find out more about the opening or make a booking, head to austinswines.com.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AFTER years of dreaming, planning and building, local family-owned Austin\u2019s Wines new Cellar Door provides a wine experience not to be missed. Scott and Belinda \u2018Belle\u2019 Austin are second-generation owners of Austin\u2019s Wines, a winery located 20 minutes from Geelong in Sutherland Creek. Six years ago, they had an idea to convert their shearing shed […]<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/01\/2021_DEC9_AustinsWi_85040.jpg\")
\nLooking forward, Belle expects the Cellar Door will just continue to expand. Austin\u2019s Wines will continue to run their rent-a-wine program, where visitors make their own wine, as well as begin master class wine tastings.<\/p>\n