Born in Templeton, CA and raised on the Tablas Creek Estate since 1998, Austin (better known as “Boo”) was practically born in a barrel. The rolling hills of the Adelaide were his stomping grounds until he moved to the North Coast to study Wildlife Sciences and Creative Writing. After being away from his homeland for five years he made the choice to return to assist the family’s business: Bristols Cider.

After deciding that fermentation was his chosen path he was hired as a harvest intern at local winery Linne Calodo. Following that he spent six months in France split between Meursault’s Domaine Matrot and in the Rhone working with the Perrins at Chateau de Beaucastel. Having enough of the French he then spent a vintage working under Helen Masters at Ata Rangi in beautiful Martinborough, New Zealand. After another vintage at Linne Calodo Austin started full time at Tablas Creek in 2019. He can be found mostly in the cellar and occasionally working in the vineyard.

Outside of wine he enjoys long hikes with his wife Taylor, rock climbing, fermenting foods, and of course cider!