Legal Terms & Policies

Business Details

These terms and policies apply to the website, online store, reservations and Wine Club operated under the trading name Hounds of the Vine by C.R Cawkwell & T Fowler-Oates.

1. Website Terms and Conditions

By using our website, creating an account, making a reservation, purchasing a product or joining our Wine Club, you agree to these terms and any additional terms displayed at the time of purchase or registration. If you do not agree, you should not use the relevant service.

1.1 Age requirements and responsible service

You must be at least 18 years old to purchase alcohol, create an account for alcohol purchases, receive an alcohol delivery or collect an alcohol order. We and our delivery partners may require acceptable proof of age and may refuse sale, collection or delivery where age cannot be verified or where supplying alcohol would be unlawful.

Alcohol will not be supplied to a person who is under 18 years old or intoxicated. You must not purchase alcohol for, or supply alcohol to, a person under 18 years old.

1.2 Product information

We take reasonable care to ensure that product names, vintages, descriptions, images, prices and availability are accurate. Bottle appearance, labels, packaging and colour may vary from the images shown. Any tasting note is subjective and is provided as a guide only.

Wine is a natural product and may vary between bottles, vintages and storage conditions. We will not substitute a different wine or vintage without first obtaining your agreement, unless the substitution was expressly authorised when the order was placed.

1.3 Orders and acceptance

An order submitted through the website is an offer to purchase. An automated acknowledgement does not necessarily mean that we have accepted the order. We accept an order when we confirm it for fulfilment or dispatch.

We may decline or cancel an order before fulfilment where a product is unavailable, information or pricing is materially incorrect, payment cannot be authorised, fraud is suspected, delivery is not legally or practically available, or the order would breach a law or licence condition. If we cancel an order after payment, we will refund the amount paid for the cancelled item or order.

1.4 Pricing, taxes and promotions

All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST where applicable. Delivery charges and any other applicable fees are shown separately before checkout.

Promotions, discount codes, volume discounts, member benefits and special offers are subject to the conditions displayed with the offer. Unless stated otherwise, offers cannot be combined, do not apply retrospectively and may exclude wine packs, subscriptions, tickets, delivery charges or other nominated products. We may change or withdraw an offer before an eligible order is placed.

1.5 Payment

Payment must be made using a payment method offered at checkout. Payments may be processed by third-party payment providers. We do not ordinarily receive or store your complete payment-card number. You authorise the applicable payment provider to process the amount shown at checkout and, for recurring Wine Club arrangements, future charges made in accordance with the Wine Club Terms.

1.6 Availability and backorders

Stock information is updated regularly but may not reflect simultaneous online, cellar door or operational activity. Where backorders are accepted, we will fulfil the order when stock becomes available and may contact you with an estimated timeframe. You may request cancellation and a refund for an unfulfilled backordered item before it is dispatched.

1.7 Accounts

You are responsible for providing accurate information, maintaining the confidentiality of your login details and notifying us of suspected unauthorised use. We may suspend or close an account where reasonably necessary to protect you, us or other users, or where the account is used unlawfully or contrary to these terms.

1.8 Reservations and events

Reservations and event bookings are subject to the availability, price, cancellation terms, age restrictions and other conditions displayed at the time of booking. Those conditions form part of your agreement with us.

We may reasonably change or cancel an experience because of safety, weather, staffing, licensing or circumstances outside our control and will provide an appropriate remedy where required by law.

1.9 Website content and intellectual property

The website and its content, including text, photographs, graphics, logos, labels and layout, are owned by or licensed to us and are protected by intellectual property laws. You may view and print content for personal, non-commercial use.

You must not reproduce, distribute, modify, scrape, publish or commercially exploit the website or its content without permission.

1.10 Acceptable use

You must not misuse the website, interfere with its operation or security, introduce malicious code, attempt unauthorised access, use automated tools in a way that burdens the service, or use the website for unlawful, fraudulent or misleading activity.

1.11 Third-party services and links

Our website may use or link to third-party services, including payment, booking, e-commerce, analytics, marketing and delivery services. Those services may have their own terms and privacy policies.

We are not responsible for a third-party website or service that we do not control, but nothing in this clause limits rights you may have against us under applicable law.

1.12 Consumer rights and liability

Our products and services come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. Nothing in these terms excludes, restricts or modifies any right, remedy, guarantee or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, restricted or modified.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from your use of the website or a product or service where that loss was not reasonably foreseeable. Where the law permits us to limit a remedy, our liability may be limited to supplying the goods or services again, or paying the cost of having them supplied again.

1.13 Changes, severability and governing law

We may update these terms by publishing a revised version on the website. The terms applying to an order are those in effect when that order is placed, unless a change is required by law. If any provision is invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply.

These terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia. You and we submit to the courts of Victoria and any courts entitled to hear appeals from them.

2. Shipping, Pickup and Returns Policy

2.1 Delivery availability

We deliver throughout Australia to destinations made available at checkout and only where alcohol delivery is lawful. Delivery availability may depend on the destination, carrier coverage, weather, access restrictions and licensing requirements. We do not deliver internationally.

2.2 Delivery charges

Delivery charges are calculated using factors such as destination, parcel weight and order composition and are displayed before checkout. Free delivery is not included unless a specific offer expressly says otherwise.

2.3 Dispatch and delivery estimates

Any dispatch or delivery timeframe shown on the website or in an order confirmation is an estimate, not a guarantee. Delays may occur because of carrier operations, peak periods, weather, road conditions, access limitations or other circumstances outside our reasonable control. We will assist with reasonable enquiries about delayed orders.

2.4 Delivery of alcohol

The person receiving an alcohol order must be at least 18 years old and may be required to present acceptable proof of age. A carrier may refuse delivery if age cannot be verified, the recipient is intoxicated, the location is unsafe, or delivery would otherwise be unlawful.

Alcohol will not be left where doing so would be unlawful or where the carrier reasonably considers that it may be accessible to a person under 18 years old. Any authority to leave is subject to applicable law and carrier requirements.

2.5 Addresses, access and redelivery

You must provide a complete and accurate delivery address, contact number and any necessary access instructions. Please contact us as soon as possible if details need to be changed. We cannot guarantee that an address can be changed after fulfilment begins.

Where a delivery fails because the information supplied was incorrect, access was not available or no eligible recipient could accept the order, reasonable redelivery or return-to-sender charges may apply. This does not affect rights available under the Australian Consumer Law.

2.6 Pickup

Where pickup is offered, orders may be collected from Hounds of the Vine at 82–110 Church Road, Bellarine VIC 3223 during the collection times communicated to you. Please wait until you are notified that the order is ready.

The person collecting alcohol must be at least 18 years old and may be asked for identification and order confirmation.

2.7 Damaged, faulty, missing or incorrect items

If an order arrives damaged, faulty, incomplete or incorrect, contact us as soon as reasonably possible at contact@houndsofthevine.com.au . Please provide the order number, a description of the issue and, where practical, photographs of the parcel and products. Keep the product and packaging until we confirm the next step.

Where goods fail to meet a consumer guarantee, you are entitled to the remedies available under the Australian Consumer Law. Depending on the circumstances, this may include a replacement, refund or another appropriate remedy. We will cover reasonable return costs where required by law.

2.8 Change of mind

We do not offer a general change-of-mind return for wine, food, personalised items, event tickets or perishable products. We may agree to a discretionary return of another unopened and resaleable item.

Any approved discretionary return must follow our instructions and may be subject to reasonable return-delivery costs. This clause does not affect your rights where a product or service does not comply with a consumer guarantee.

2.9 Refunds

Approved refunds will ordinarily be made to the original payment method. Processing times depend on the payment provider and financial institution. Delivery charges will be refunded where required by law or where we agree that the order could not be properly fulfilled.

3. Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how Hounds of the Vine collects, uses, stores and discloses personal information in connection with our website, online store, reservations, cellar door, events, communications and Wine Club.

3.1 Information we collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

• Identity and age-verification information, including your name, date of birth or confirmation that you are at least 18 years old.
• Contact and delivery information, including email address, telephone number, billing address and delivery address.
• Account, membership, reservation and order information, including purchases, preferences, attendance, Wine Club selections and transaction history held in our systems.
• Payment-related information, such as payment status, transaction references and payment tokens supplied by our payment provider, but not ordinarily your complete payment-card number.
• Communications with us, including enquiries, feedback, complaints and marketing preferences.
• Website and device information, including IP address, browser type, pages viewed, referring pages, cookies and similar technologies.
• Information you provide in person, by telephone, by email, through a form or through a connected service provider.

3.2 How we collect information

We collect information directly from you and automatically through the website. We may also receive information from authorised representatives and service providers that support our reservations, e-commerce, payment, marketing, delivery and customer-management activities.

3.3 How we use information

We may use personal information to:

• Create and manage accounts, reservations, orders and Wine Club memberships.
• Process payments, deliver products, arrange pickup and provide customer support.
• Verify age and comply with liquor-licensing, taxation, record-keeping and other legal obligations.
• Send operational messages about orders, bookings, memberships, payments and service changes.
• Send marketing communications where you have consented or where otherwise permitted by law.
• Personalise our services, analyse performance and improve the website, products and customer experience.
• Detect and prevent fraud, misuse, security incidents and unlawful activity.
• Establish, exercise or defend legal rights.

3.4 Disclosure to service providers and others

We may disclose personal information to providers that help us operate, including Commerce7, Squarespace, payment processors such as Stripe, delivery carriers, email and marketing providers, analytics providers, technology support providers, accountants, insurers, professional advisers and regulators.

We disclose only what is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose and expect providers to handle information securely and lawfully.

We may also disclose information where required or authorised by law, to protect the rights or safety of any person, in connection with a business restructure or transfer, or with your consent.

3.5 Payment information

Online payments are processed by third-party payment providers. We do not ordinarily store complete payment-card details. The provider may store payment credentials or tokens so that authorised payments, including recurring Wine Club charges, can be processed.

The provider’s handling of payment information is also governed by its own privacy policy and security standards.

3.6 Overseas processing

Some service providers may store or process information outside Australia. The countries involved may vary according to the provider’s infrastructure and subcontractors.

Where overseas processing occurs, we take reasonable steps appropriate to the circumstances to ensure that personal information is handled consistently with applicable Australian privacy requirements.

3.7 Cookies and analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to keep the site functioning, remember preferences, understand website use, improve performance and support marketing.

You can control cookies through your browser settings, but disabling some cookies may affect website functionality.

3.8 Marketing communications

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails by using the unsubscribe link in an email or by contacting us. We may still send service messages that are necessary to administer an account, reservation, order or membership.

3.9 Security and retention

We take reasonable administrative, technical and physical steps to protect personal information from misuse, interference, loss and unauthorised access, modification or disclosure. No online system is completely secure.

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this policy, including legal, accounting, fraud-prevention and dispute-resolution requirements, and then delete or de-identify it where appropriate.

3.10 Access, correction and complaints

You may request access to, or correction of, personal information we hold about you. You may also make a privacy enquiry or complaint by contacting contact@houndsofthevine.com.au .

We may need to verify your identity before acting on a request. We will respond within a reasonable time and explain any lawful reason for refusing a request.

3.11 Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The current version will be published on the website with its effective date. Material changes may also be communicated by another reasonable method.

4. Wine Club Terms and Conditions

These Wine Club Terms apply in addition to the Website Terms and Conditions, Shipping, Pickup and Returns Policy and Privacy Policy. By joining a Wine Club plan, you confirm that you are at least 18 years old and agree to the recurring arrangement described at signup.

4.1 Membership options

The available Wine Club plans, bottle quantities, selection options and shipment frequencies are shown when you join.

Plans may include a curated seasonal pack issued quarterly or a build-your-own arrangement offered monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly, with the minimum bottle quantity shown at signup.

4.2 Recurring orders and payment authority

By joining, you authorise us and our payment provider to charge your nominated payment method for each scheduled Wine Club order and any applicable delivery charges, taxes or agreed additions.

The amount may vary according to your bottle selection, current prices, discounts, delivery destination and plan settings.

You are responsible for keeping your contact, delivery and payment details current. If payment fails, we may retry the payment, contact you, place the order on hold or suspend membership benefits until payment is resolved.

4.3 Order reminders and selections

We may send a reminder before a scheduled order is processed. Where a plan permits selection or customisation, changes must be completed by the deadline stated in that reminder or in your account.

If no valid selection is received by the deadline, we may process the default or curated selection associated with the plan.

4.4 Prices, discounts and benefits

Current membership benefits are described at signup and on the Wine Club page. They may include member pricing on eligible wine and cellar-door purchases, higher savings on qualifying bottle quantities, member tastings, early access and invitations to selected events.

Benefits apply only to the member’s active account and are not transferable unless we state otherwise. Discounts may exclude wine packs, shipping, tickets, third-party goods, already-discounted products and specified promotions.

Where more than one discount could apply, the best eligible discount will be applied unless an offer expressly provides otherwise.

We may change ongoing benefits, discount levels, included products or plan features by giving reasonable notice. A change will not affect a completed order and will not limit any rights available under the Australian Consumer Law.

4.5 Stock, vintages and substitutions

Wine Club products remain subject to availability. If an included wine or vintage becomes unavailable, we may contact you to offer an alternative of comparable value.

We will not make a materially different substitution without your agreement. If an acceptable alternative cannot be arranged, we will provide an appropriate credit or refund for the unavailable item.

4.6 Delivery and pickup

Wine Club orders may be delivered or collected according to the option available for the plan and selected for the order. Delivery charges apply unless a specific membership offer expressly says otherwise.

The age-verification, delivery, address and pickup requirements in the Shipping, Pickup and Returns Policy also apply.

4.7 Skipping, changing or cancelling membership

You may cancel your Wine Club membership at any time by contacting us at contact@houndsofthevine.com.au .

You may also request a change to a future selection, shipment date, frequency, delivery method or membership status. Changes requested after an order has begun processing may apply only to later orders.

Cancelling membership does not cancel an order that has already been processed, charged or prepared for fulfilment. That order remains payable and will be fulfilled in the ordinary course.

Any remedy relating to a processed order is governed by the Shipping, Pickup and Returns Policy and the Australian Consumer Law.

4.8 Suspension or termination by us

We may suspend or end a membership where payment remains unresolved, the member misuses benefits, the arrangement cannot lawfully continue, or the plan is discontinued. Where practical, we will provide reasonable notice.

Ending a membership does not affect rights or obligations relating to an order already processed.

4.9 Events and tastings

Member events and tastings are subject to availability, capacity, responsible-service requirements and any conditions displayed with the invitation or booking.

A guest benefit applies only where expressly included in the active plan. We may change or cancel an event where reasonably necessary and will provide any remedy required by law.

4.10 Communications

You agree to receive operational communications necessary to administer your membership, including reminders, payment notices, selection notices and changes to the plan. Marketing communications remain subject to your marketing preferences.

5. Responsible Service of Alcohol

Hounds of the Vine supports the responsible service and consumption of alcohol.

6. Contact Details

Questions about these terms, an order, a reservation, a Wine Club membership or privacy may be directed to: