TERMS & CONDITIONS

Last updated: 25 August 2026

Welcome to Contentious Character.

These Terms & Conditions apply to your use of the Contentious Character website and online store, including purchases of wine and other products, Wine Club memberships, promotions and related online services.

By using our Website or placing an order, you agree to these Terms & Conditions.

These Terms & Conditions should be read together with our Privacy Policy, Returns Policy, Wine Club terms and any specific terms applying to a particular product, promotion or service.

1. WHO WE ARE

The Contentious Character business may be owned, operated, managed or supported by one or more related entities.

The entities currently involved in the Contentious Character business include:

Lake & Barrel Pty Ltd
and
Wild Evolution Pty Ltd

Lake & Barrel Pty Ltd is currently the operating entity for the Contentious Character business.

Wild Evolution Pty Ltd may provide or undertake services and functions associated with Contentious Character, including management, administration, employment, marketing, customer service, technology, fulfilment, operations and other business activities.

In these Terms & Conditions, references to “Contentious Character”, “we”, “us” or “our” may refer to Lake & Barrel Pty Ltd, Wild Evolution Pty Ltd, or another related, successor, acquiring or operating entity involved in the relevant Contentious Character transaction or service, as applicable.

The entity responsible for a particular transaction may depend on the product or service purchased and the arrangements applying to that transaction.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to make an entity liable for obligations that are not its responsibility under the applicable transaction or law.

2. DEFINITIONS

Agreement means these Terms & Conditions together with any applicable terms, policies or conditions incorporated into them.

Products means wines and any other goods offered through the Website.

Purchase Order means an order submitted through the Website to purchase Products.

Website means the Contentious Character website and associated online services operated by or on behalf of Contentious Character.

You or your means the person using the Website or placing an order.

3. USING THE WEBSITE

You agree to use the Website lawfully and in accordance with these Terms & Conditions.

You must not:

  • Use the Website for unlawful, fraudulent or misleading purposes

  • Attempt to gain unauthorised access to our systems

  • Interfere with the security or operation of the Website

  • Introduce viruses, malware or other harmful code

  • Use automated systems to access or extract information without permission

  • Attempt to interfere with another person’s use of the Website

  • Reproduce or commercially exploit Website content without permission

We may suspend or restrict access to the Website where reasonably necessary to protect our business, systems, customers or the integrity of the Website.

4. ELIGIBILITY TO PURCHASE ALCOHOL

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase or receive alcohol.

By placing an order for alcohol, you confirm that:

  • You are at least 18 years old

  • The information you provide is accurate

  • You are authorised to use the payment method provided

  • You are purchasing the alcohol for lawful purposes

We may request proof of age or identity before accepting, processing or delivering an alcohol order.

We may refuse or cancel an order where we reasonably believe that:

  • The purchaser or recipient is under 18

  • Appropriate identification cannot be provided

  • The transaction does not comply with applicable liquor laws

  • Delivery cannot lawfully be completed

  • The transaction is fraudulent or unauthorised

Where an order is cancelled before supply and payment has already been received, we will arrange a refund of the relevant amount, subject to applicable law.

5. RESPONSIBLE SERVICE OF ALCOHOL

We are committed to the responsible sale and supply of alcohol.

Alcohol will not be sold or supplied to a person under 18 years of age.

We may refuse to sell or supply alcohol where required by applicable liquor laws, including where there are concerns about age, identification, intoxication or lawful delivery.

By placing an order, you agree to comply with all applicable laws relating to the purchase, possession and consumption of alcohol.

6. ACCOUNTS AND CUSTOMER INFORMATION

Some Website functions may require you to create an account.

Where an account is required, you agree to provide accurate and current information, including where applicable:

  • First name

  • Last name

  • Date of birth

  • Email address

  • Phone number

  • Billing address

  • Delivery address

  • Postcode

  • Other information reasonably required to process your order

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account details.

You must notify us if you believe your account has been accessed or used without authorisation.

Personal information is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

7. PLACING AN ORDER

When you submit an order, you are making an offer to purchase the Products specified in that order.

Submitting an order does not necessarily mean that the order has been accepted.

We may accept or reject an order for reasonable reasons, including:

  • Product unavailability

  • Pricing or listing errors

  • Incorrect or incomplete information

  • Failure to satisfy age-verification requirements

  • Delivery restrictions

  • Fraud or suspected unauthorised activity

  • Payment failure

  • Technical or system errors

  • Legal or regulatory requirements

  • Other circumstances reasonably preventing fulfilment

We will generally send an order confirmation after receiving your order.

Acceptance may occur when we expressly confirm acceptance or dispatch the order, depending on the circumstances.

If we reject or cancel an order after payment has been received, we will refund the amount paid for the affected Products, subject to applicable law.

8. PRICES

All prices are displayed in Australian dollars.

Prices generally include GST where applicable.

Delivery charges and other applicable charges will be displayed during checkout where possible.

We may change prices, Products and promotions from time to time.

Changes will generally not affect orders already accepted, except where permitted by law or where an obvious pricing or technical error has occurred.

9. PRICING AND LISTING ERRORS

We take reasonable care to ensure Product prices, descriptions and availability are accurate.

Occasionally, errors may occur.

If a Product is displayed at an obviously incorrect price due to a technical, typographical or system error, we may contact you and give you the option to confirm the order at the correct price or cancel the affected order.

If the order is cancelled, any amount paid for the affected Product will be refunded.

Nothing in this clause limits any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law.

10. PAYMENT

Payment must generally be made when an order is placed.

We may accept the payment methods displayed at checkout.

You confirm that you are authorised to use the payment method provided.

Payments may be processed by third-party payment providers.

We do not generally store full payment card details on our own systems.

We may cancel or suspend an order where payment cannot be successfully processed or where we reasonably suspect fraudulent or unauthorised activity.

11. CHANGING OR CANCELLING AN ORDER

If you need to change or cancel an order, contact us as soon as possible:

Email: info@contentiouscharacter.com.au
Phone: 02 6238 3830

Our fulfilment processes may be automated, and we may be unable to change or cancel an order once it has entered processing or has been dispatched.

We will nevertheless consider requests where reasonably possible.

Nothing in this clause removes any rights you may have under the Australian Consumer Law or other applicable laws.

12. PRODUCT AVAILABILITY

We make reasonable efforts to maintain accurate Product availability information.

Products may become unavailable due to stock levels, production changes, supplier availability, system errors or other circumstances.

If a Product becomes unavailable after an order has been placed, we may:

  • Offer an alternative Product

  • Remove the unavailable Product from the order and refund the relevant amount

  • Cancel the affected order and refund the relevant amount

Where reasonably possible, we will contact you before making a change.

13. DELIVERY

We deliver Products to Australian addresses where delivery is available.

Delivery charges will generally be calculated at checkout.

Delivery timeframes are estimates unless expressly stated otherwise.

Delivery may be affected by:

  • Courier delays

  • Public holidays

  • Weather

  • Regional or remote locations

  • Incorrect delivery information

  • High demand

  • Events outside our reasonable control

We may use third-party courier and delivery providers.

Alcohol deliveries remain subject to applicable age-verification and responsible-service requirements.

14. DELIVERY ADDRESS

You are responsible for providing a complete and accurate delivery address.

Once an order has been dispatched, we may be unable to change the delivery address.

Where an incorrect or incomplete address results in additional courier charges, re-delivery or return-to-sender costs, we may charge those costs to you where permitted by law.

15. IF YOU ARE NOT HOME

If you are not home when your order is delivered, the courier will follow its applicable delivery procedures.

Depending on the delivery service, delivery instructions and circumstances, the courier may leave the parcel in an appropriate location or provide instructions for redelivery or collection.

Alcohol deliveries remain subject to applicable age-verification requirements.

Please follow the tracking and delivery instructions provided by the courier.

16. DAMAGED, MISSING OR INCORRECT PRODUCTS

We take care when packing and dispatching orders.

If your order arrives damaged, is missing Products, contains incorrect Products or you believe there is another issue with your order, please contact us as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the order.

Where possible, please provide:

  • Your order number

  • A description of the issue

  • Photographs of the Products and packaging

  • Photographs of any visible damage to the outer packaging

  • Any other information reasonably requested by us

This information helps us investigate the issue and, where appropriate, make a claim with the relevant courier or supplier.

Damaged deliveries

If a parcel appears damaged at delivery, you should, where reasonably possible, photograph the parcel before opening it.

If the Products inside are damaged, retain the damaged Products and packaging until we advise otherwise.

We may require the Products or packaging to be returned or retained while we investigate the claim.

Investigation of claims

We may investigate an alleged damage, shortage or Product issue before determining the appropriate remedy.

Where appropriate, we may ask for photographs, delivery information, packaging, the affected Product or other reasonable evidence.

We may also contact the relevant courier, supplier or other service provider to investigate the issue.

You must provide reasonable assistance with any investigation.

No automatic replacement or refund

A report of damage, shortage or a Product issue does not automatically entitle you to an immediate replacement or refund.

We will assess the circumstances and determine the appropriate remedy in accordance with these Terms & Conditions and applicable law.

Where the Australian Consumer Law provides you with a remedy, we will provide the remedy required by law.

Nothing in this section is intended to exclude or restrict any non-excludable consumer guarantee or other legal right.

17. RETURNS

Returns are not automatically accepted simply because you have changed your mind.

Before returning any Product, please contact us and obtain instructions.

Unless otherwise required by law, Products should not be returned without prior contact with us.

Where a return is approved, we may provide instructions regarding:

  • The return address

  • The approved delivery method

  • Packaging requirements

  • Collection arrangements

  • Return timeframes

Products should be returned securely packaged and, where reasonably possible, in their original packaging.

Where a return is required because of a fault, damage or other issue covered by the Australian Consumer Law, we will deal with the return and associated costs in accordance with your legal rights.

For approved returns arising from circumstances not covered by a consumer guarantee, return freight and other reasonable return costs may be your responsibility.

We reserve the right to assess returned Products before issuing a refund or replacement where reasonably permitted by law.

18. CHANGE OF MIND

Unless otherwise stated, we are not required to provide a refund solely because you have changed your mind where the Products comply with the Australian Consumer Law and there is no other legal entitlement to a refund.

Any voluntary change-of-mind return policy we offer may be subject to reasonable conditions, including:

  • Prior approval

  • Products being unopened and in resalable condition

  • Original packaging

  • Proof of purchase

  • Return within the specified timeframe

  • Return freight being paid by you

This does not affect any rights you have under the Australian Consumer Law.

19. REFUNDS

Where a refund is approved, refunds will generally be made to the original payment method where reasonably possible.

Refund processing times may depend on the payment provider or financial institution.

We may wait until returned Products have been received and assessed before processing a refund where reasonably permitted by law.

Where a refund is required because of a failure covered by the Australian Consumer Law, we will process the refund in accordance with our legal obligations.

If a discount, promotional offer or multi-buy pricing applied to an order and a return means the order no longer qualifies for that offer, the applicable discount may be taken into account when calculating the refund, to the extent permitted by law.

20. WINE STORAGE AND HANDLING

Wine should be stored appropriately after delivery.

We recommend storing wine:

  • In a cool and stable environment

  • Away from direct sunlight

  • Away from excessive heat

  • Away from significant temperature fluctuations

Once Products have been delivered, you are responsible for storing them appropriately.

Nothing in this clause limits your rights where a Product was defective or failed to meet an applicable consumer guarantee.

21. CONSUMER GUARANTEES

Our Products come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.

If a Product has a major failure, you may be entitled to a refund, replacement or other remedy as provided by law.

If a Product has a minor failure, we may be entitled to provide a repair, replacement or other appropriate remedy within a reasonable time, as permitted by law.

You may also have rights in relation to reasonably foreseeable loss or damage.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions is intended to exclude, restrict or modify any consumer guarantee, right or remedy that cannot legally be excluded.

22. PROMOTIONS AND DISCOUNT CODES

From time to time, Contentious Character may offer promotional codes, discounts or special offers.

Unless otherwise stated:

  • Promotional codes must be applied at checkout

  • Promotional codes cannot be applied retrospectively

  • Promotional codes cannot generally be combined

  • Promotional codes may have expiry dates

  • Promotional codes may be subject to minimum purchase requirements

  • Promotional codes may apply only to selected Products

  • Promotional codes may be limited to one use per customer or household

  • Promotional codes may not apply to already discounted Products

Specific promotional terms displayed with an offer form part of that promotion.

We may withdraw or amend a promotion where reasonably necessary, including due to an obvious error, technical issue, fraud or misuse.

Nothing in this clause limits rights that cannot legally be excluded.

23. WINE CLUB

Wine Club memberships may be subject to separate Wine Club terms and conditions.

Wine Club members must be at least 18 years old.

Wine Club pricing, Products, benefits, delivery arrangements and other membership features may change from time to time, subject to applicable law and any specific contractual commitments.

Where a specific Wine Club term conflicts with these Terms & Conditions, the specific Wine Club term will apply to that matter.

24. THIRD-PARTY SERVICES

We may use third-party providers to operate and support the business, including:

  • Payment providers

  • Ecommerce platforms

  • Booking platforms

  • Delivery providers

  • Technology providers

  • Marketing providers

  • Customer management systems

  • Wine Club platforms

  • Hosting providers

Your use of a third-party service may also be subject to that provider’s own terms and privacy policy.

We are not responsible for the independent acts, omissions, systems or policies of third-party providers except where liability cannot lawfully be excluded.

25. WEBSITE CONTENT

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information displayed on the Website is accurate and current.

However, information may occasionally contain errors or omissions.

We may update, correct, remove or change Website content, Products, prices, images, descriptions, availability or other information without notice.

Nothing in this clause limits any rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded.

26. WEBSITE AVAILABILITY

We aim to keep the Website available and operating properly.

However, the Website may occasionally be unavailable because of:

  • Maintenance

  • Technical problems

  • Software or hardware failures

  • Security incidents

  • Telecommunications or internet problems

  • Third-party service interruptions

  • Events outside our reasonable control

We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free Website availability.

27. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Unless otherwise stated, the Website and its content are owned by or licensed to Contentious Character or the relevant rights holder.

This includes:

  • Contentious Character branding

  • Logos

  • Trade marks

  • Wine names

  • Product names

  • Images

  • Photography

  • Videos

  • Written content

  • Graphics

  • Website design

  • Marketing materials

  • Other intellectual property

You may use the Website for personal, non-commercial purposes.

You must not reproduce, modify, distribute, publish, sell, licence or commercially exploit Website content without prior written permission, except where permitted by law.

28. THIRD-PARTY LINKS

The Website may contain links to third-party websites.

These links are provided for convenience.

We are not responsible for the content, availability, security or privacy practices of third-party websites.

You should review the relevant third party’s terms and privacy policy before using its services.

29. USER CONTENT AND FEEDBACK

If you submit reviews, comments, photographs, feedback or other content to us, you confirm that you have the right to provide that content.

By submitting content to us, you grant Contentious Character and its related entities a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, reproduce, publish, adapt and display that content for legitimate business, marketing and communication purposes, subject to applicable law.

We may remove or decline to publish content that is unlawful, misleading, defamatory, offensive, infringes another person’s rights or otherwise breaches our standards.

You retain ownership of intellectual property rights in your content unless otherwise agreed.

30. SECURITY

You must not attempt to compromise the security of the Website or our systems.

This includes attempting to:

  • Gain unauthorised access

  • Introduce malicious code

  • Interfere with Website operation

  • Access another user’s account

  • Circumvent security measures

  • Overload or disrupt our systems

We may report suspected unlawful activity to relevant authorities.

31. PRIVACY

Your use of the Website and our collection, use, holding and disclosure of personal information are governed by our Privacy Policy.

Our Privacy Policy explains how personal information may be handled by Lake & Barrel Pty Ltd, Wild Evolution Pty Ltd, related entities, service providers and any future entity that acquires, operates or manages the Contentious Character business, subject to applicable privacy laws.

32. BUSINESS TRANSFERS AND CHANGES IN OWNERSHIP

Contentious Character may change its ownership, corporate structure, operating arrangements or service providers from time to time.

If Contentious Character, its business, assets, customer relationships, customer database or any part of its operations is sold, transferred, restructured, merged or otherwise operated by another entity, our rights and obligations under these Terms & Conditions may be transferred to the relevant successor, acquiring, related or operating entity to the extent permitted by law.

This may include:

  • Lake & Barrel Pty Ltd

  • Wild Evolution Pty Ltd

  • A related entity

  • A successor entity

  • An acquiring entity

  • A new operating entity

  • An entity appointed to manage or operate the Contentious Character business

Where appropriate and permitted by law, the relevant entity may continue operating the Contentious Character business and providing Products and services to customers.

Personal information will continue to be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable privacy laws.

33. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY

To the maximum extent permitted by law, we are not liable for loss or damage arising from circumstances outside our reasonable control.

This may include loss caused by:

  • Third-party service interruptions

  • Courier delays

  • Telecommunications failures

  • Internet failures

  • Natural disasters

  • Severe weather

  • Government action

  • Industrial disputes

  • Supplier disruptions

  • Other circumstances outside our reasonable control

Where permitted by law, we are not responsible for loss that could reasonably have been avoided by you taking reasonable care.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes, restricts or modifies:

  • Consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law

  • Rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded

  • Liability that cannot legally be excluded

34. INDEMNITY

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify us against reasonable loss, damage, liability, cost or expense arising from your:

  • Fraudulent use of the Website

  • Unlawful use of the Website

  • Deliberate misuse of our systems

  • Breach of these Terms & Conditions

This indemnity does not apply to the extent that the relevant loss or liability was caused by our own negligence, unlawful conduct or breach of a non-excludable obligation.

35. FORCE MAJEURE

We will not be responsible for delay or failure to perform an obligation where the delay or failure results from circumstances beyond our reasonable control.

This may include:

  • Natural disasters

  • Fire

  • Flood

  • Severe weather

  • War

  • Terrorism

  • Industrial disputes

  • Government action

  • Power or telecommunications failures

  • Cybersecurity incidents

  • Transport disruptions

  • Supplier failures

  • Courier disruptions

  • Other events beyond our reasonable control

Where reasonably possible, we will take reasonable steps to minimise the impact of such circumstances.

Nothing in this clause limits your rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

36. SUSPENSION OR TERMINATION

We may suspend or terminate access to an account or Website service where reasonably necessary, including where:

  • You breach these Terms & Conditions

  • We reasonably suspect fraud or unlawful activity

  • Your account presents a security risk

  • We are required to do so by law

  • We cease operating the relevant service

If an order has already been accepted, termination will not affect rights or obligations that have already accrued.

Where we cancel an accepted order and you have paid for Products that have not been supplied, we will refund the relevant amount subject to applicable law.

37. CHANGES TO THESE TERMS & CONDITIONS

We may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.

The current version will be published on the Website and will include the date it was last updated.

Changes will generally apply to transactions entered into after the updated Terms & Conditions are published.

Where an order has already been accepted, the Terms & Conditions applicable at the time of acceptance will generally continue to apply to that transaction, except where a change is required by law.

38. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the Australian Capital Territory and applicable Commonwealth laws of Australia.

You and we submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the Australian Capital Territory and courts entitled to hear appeals from them.

Nothing in this clause limits any mandatory consumer rights or protections available under applicable law.

39. SEVERABILITY

If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be read down or severed to the minimum extent necessary.

The remaining provisions will continue to operate to the extent permitted by law.

40. NO WAIVER

If we do not immediately enforce a provision of these Terms & Conditions, this does not mean that we have waived our right to enforce that provision later.

41. ENTIRE AGREEMENT

These Terms & Conditions, together with any applicable Product-specific terms, promotional terms, Wine Club terms, Returns Policy and Privacy Policy, form the terms governing your use of the Website and purchase of Products, to the extent applicable.

Nothing in these Terms & Conditions excludes or limits rights or obligations imposed by law.

42. CONTACT US

If you have any questions about these Terms & Conditions, your order or our Website, please contact us:

Lake & Barrel Pty Ltd
Wild Evolution Pty Ltd
Trading as Contentious Character

Email: info@contentiouscharacter.com.au
Phone: 02 6238 3830

Website: www.contentiouscharacter.com.au

Last updated: 25 August 2026