A fierce war of words has uncorked between two rival winemakers, transforming a celebrated television moment into a bitter real-world feud. The controversy centres on a stunning wine cellar design featured on Channel Nine's hit reality show, The Block.
The dispute ignited when Victorian winery, Tellurian, publicly accused South Australian rival, Alpha Box & Dice, of brazenly copying the design of their award-winning cellar. The design in question was originally created by contestants and fan favourites, Jimmy and Tam, and subsequently purchased by Tellurian for a cool $25,000 at the show's auction.
Social Media Sparks the Feud
The conflict spilled onto social media after Alpha Box & Dice began promoting its new 'Drink Easy Club' membership with imagery of a near-identical cellar. Tellurian’s management did not hold back, taking to their own platforms to call out the alleged imitation, accusing their competitor of a blatant rip-off and a lack of original ideas.
The very public call-out has divided fans and industry observers alike, with many taking sides in the comments sections of both wineries.
A Question of Inspiration or Imitation?
While Alpha Box & Dice has remained relatively quiet on the specific allegations, the visual similarities between the two cellars are striking. The dispute raises complex questions about intellectual property, inspiration, and imitation within the design and wine industries.
With both businesses staking their reputation on their unique brand identities, this copycat scandal threatens more than just pride; it could have a tangible impact on customer perception and loyalty.
As accusations continue to fly, the wine world is watching closely to see if this feud will be resolved amicably or if it will escalate into a full-blown legal battle.
