Episode 6: Why collaboration is the perfect drop for national wine brand

Oct 7, 2019 | Talking Business with Regional Australia Podcast Episodes

In this episode of the podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dickfos and Cath Fowler chat with Belinda Austin.

Belinda Austin joined her husband Scott as a second-generation owner of Austin’s Wines in 2013.  Bringing with her creativity, a unique viewpoint and social media savviness she embraced the role of Marketing Manager. 

Her vision was to transform their 6Ft6 wine brand into a lifestyle wine brand through an innovative marketing strategy targeting the niche millennial market. Now as Head of Marketing her focus is on transforming the Austin’s wine brand with a direct to consumer focus.

Belinda is excited about the future in wine, connecting to wine lovers and continuing to raise her family on the vineyard estate. Where she resides with her husband Scott and three children; Spencer, Delilah and Huxley. 

In this episode we cover:

  • Belinda hasn’t always lived regionally. It wasn’t until she travelled Australia for three years that she learned to embrace the regional towns and lifestyle. 
  • Internet and phone have been a big challenge based on the farm. Even though they are only 15 minutes out of town 
  • The investment and cost to keep up technology-wise has been a bit tough at times
  • The winery doesn’t have a lot of passing traffic so getting people out of the way to come to us means they have to be clever to make the winery a destination
  • So many more pros than cons of living regionally 
  • The sense of community has been wonderful and the area has embraced Belinda and her business 
  • Seeing the 6ft6 brand go beyond Geelong and now having a really strong national presence has been a huge highlight 
  • While they are a small family brand they are now competing with corporations with much bigger budgets
  • A lot of growth still happening launching a rent a wine initiative, creating a Cellar Door and launching a wine club – with collaborations with other regional wineries
  • Collaboration and networking has been a huge winner for their business

Links mentioned in the show

Find Mel at:

Find Cath at: