Cellar Creations Faces Review Bombing After The Block
The Australian wine cellar builder received a surge of negative online feedback following a television appearance.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Wine
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Cellar Creations, a business based in Mornington Peninsula, is battling negative online reviews after being featured on the reality television programme The Block. Viewers flocked to social media to criticise the pricing disparity between cellars installed for different contestants.
Why it matters
The backlash highlights viewer frustration regarding perceived inequities in show-sanctioned discounts. Critics took issue with the varying costs paid by contestants for the same services during the programme.
Contestants Adam and Jolene Wagner paid $20,000 for their cellar, while Courtney Kain and Sevilay Keser paid $14,500. Show rules typically cap non-sponsor discounts at 50%, though some items were classified as art at 10% of retail value.
The players
Cellar Creations
This is a Mornington Peninsula-based business that specialises in the construction of custom wine cellars.
The Block
This is a popular Australian reality television series where contestants renovate and furnish properties to compete for prizes.
The details
Viewers expressed significant disagreement over the pricing models applied to the custom wine cellars. While Google has utilised automated processes to remove some content, the business continues to contend with negative feedback regarding the show's discount structure.
Timeline
Review bombing occurred during October 2026 following a televised episode.
At least two one-star reviews were submitted on 20 October 2026.
Culture Shift
The incident mirrors the broader trend of review bombing, where audiences leverage digital platforms to protest perceived brand ethics on television. This reflects a shift where consumer sentiment is increasingly shaped by viral reactions to reality show production decisions.
The situation serves as a reminder for consumers to evaluate the accuracy of online ratings when businesses are subject to sudden public scrutiny. Prospective customers should verify service quality beyond viral social media comments.
The takeaway
Maintaining brand integrity during high-exposure events remains a difficult challenge in the age of social media. Businesses appearing on reality programmes should anticipate that their pricing and contractual agreements may face intense public audit.
Further reading
For more on the industry, explore local trends in Australia Wine.
Source note: This article includes information reported by SmartCompany.
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Is it appropriate for the public to leave negative business reviews based on reality TV events?
