Austin’s Wines, Moorabool Valley – Geelong Wine Region
While 2022 may not be looking so great, there are plenty of good things happening and Austin’s Wines opening their brand new cellar door is one of those things!
This cellar door has been a 10 year long dream for the family!! I am so excited for them and WOW they have done an amazing job!
I really do miss visiting cellar doors (thanks Covid!), so it was great to get out and about recently to explore our local area a bit more. Plus the Austin’s cellar door is simply beautiful with amazing views, the staff are super friendly and I really can’t wait to go back and sip and nibble the afternoon away on their comfy beanbags.
The cellar door officially opens on the 3rd of February and you can make a booking here.
Austin’s are located about 50 minutes from where we live on the Bellarine Peninsula, and they are just an hours drive from Melbourne city or Ballarat. So the perfect place to visit if you are on the Bellarine, in Melbourne, Ballarat Geelong or surrounds.
Now grab a glass of something delicious and let’s get to know more about this Geelong wine producer…
Who is behind the Austin’s Wines label?
The 1,500ha private property is currently owned and operated by second generation family members – Scott and Belinda Austin.
Scott’s parents, Pamela and Richard Austin began their winemaking adventure in 1982 when they purchased a small five-acre block in Waurn Ponds, Victoria.
Their small three acres of vineyards fuelled their passion for winemaking and in 1990 they purchased acreage in the Moorabool Valley, where you will find them now.
Mr Spitton and I were in awe as we drove up the long driveway to the cellar door. They have such a beautiful spot and you really feel like you are so far from the hustle and bustle.
The New Austin’s Wines Cellar Door
The cellar door is a converted old sheep shearing shed. Between private, government and public funding raised from 2017, they were able to start making their wine-dreams a realty when building started in 2021.
Fast-forward a year down the track and their cellar door officially opens on the 3rd of February 2022 – woohoo!!
Mr Spittoon and I (plus Baby TC – that guy follows us around everywhere!) were recently invited out to their private founders weekend and just wow.
It has a super cool vibe that blends both the Austin’s Wines and 6Ft6 Wine brands together.
Inside there’s a bar area to your right, alongside an island tasting area (smart thinking as I really hate being squished along a small tasting counter at some cellar doors) and then there are windows all along the front of the building so you can soak up the views.
There is ample indoor space and seating and it really does have a relaxed atmosphere. The staff we meet on the day were also super friendly and welcoming, I can’t wait to go back for a proper tasting in the next couple of months.
A wine tasting experience takes about 30 minutes and has a $10 booking fee, however this is taken off any purchases at the end.
Outside there is a lovely grassy area with beanbags, tables, umbrellas, etc. You are also able to have a walk down to see the vines, which I loved.
The Wines
As mentioned, they have both the Austin’s and 6Ft6 wine ranges available for tasting and purchase. Therefore there are about 13 different wines you can taste (and they are poured in lovely Plumm glassware too!) from a range of varieties and styles such as:
- Sparkling wine (traditional)
- Prosecco + Prosecco Rose
- Riesling (dry and Late Harvest aka sweet)
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Gris
- Chardonnay
- Rose
- Shiraz
- Pinot Noir
We’ve been big fans of both ranges for awhile now, you can read some of my Austin’s Wines tasting notes here. And a couple of 6Ft6 ones here. I haven’t been posting all my reviews here on the blog lately (there’s far too many to keep up with!), however I do keep my Vivino and Delectable profiles up to date.
The Food
We didn’t try any of the food when we visited, however we definitely will on our next visit. We are also taking offers for a babysitter for next time, so Mr Spittoon and I can fully immerse ourselves 😉
The food sounds and looks so scrumptious. From the ‘make your own cheese platters’ from their Deli Selection to the Sticks & Bones Barbeque Menu on the weekends 12-4pm. Think things like Smoked crispy Bannockburn chicken tacos, cauliflower tacos, brisket burgers and Portarlington mussels with smoked whiskey cream. Drooool!
Plus to top it off you can order Timboon Ice Creams from the bar too!
Dog Friendly
You may know me as a crazy cat person, however we are also a family of dog-lovers, so we hope to eventually adopt a gorgeous pooch to join our family at some stage. For now though, I am just mentally noting down what wineries around us are dog friendly and Austin’s is one of them!
Yes you can take your pooch, however they must be on a lead and it is best you call ahead to ensure the outdoor area is not too busy.
So what are you waiting for? Make a booking and check out the new Austin’s Wines cellar door soon! Who knows, we may even bump into you, as I can see us being regulars!!
