granitebeltwinecountry.com.au region.Southern Queensland Country town ofWallangarra. TheGranite ofthe ispart Belt beyond. theborder Itmeets withNSW atthehistoric The Summitto Stanthorpe, Glenand Aplin,Ballandean through from of the Granite theheart Dalveen Belt, and The New EnglandHighway runsfor more than62kms Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Granite Wine Belt Country
Contents
4 National Park Splendour 6 15 0 Years of Winemaking History 8 C hests of Gold, Tables of Trophies 10 Meet the Vignerons and Winemakers 12 Introducing our StrangeBird Wines 15 A Year in the Life of a Vineyard 16 Getting the most from your Wine Tasting 18 Tastes of the Granite Belt 22 Arts & Heritage 24 A perfect place for a Special Event 25 – 28 Accommodation | Cafes, Restaurants & Food Wineries & Breweries | Tours 29 Town Map 30 – 31 R egional Map 32 How to escape to the Granite Belt
2 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Welcome Granite Belt Wine Country The Granite Belt is situated on the northern edge of the New England Tableland, right on the border between Queensland and NSW, at an elevation of around 1000 metres. Here the air is intoxicating – so fresh and clean – and the sky seems a deeper blue. The Granite Belt has always been a place of rest and relaxation – a place where people came to enjoy nature or recover from illness or war. In 1905 the State Government gazetted the region as Queensland’s official ‘health resort’. And it remains so to this day. This is a landscape of dramatic beauty and diversity with four distinct seasons. Here, 200-million-year-old Triassic granite formations emerge from thick forests and house- sized boulders balance precariously one on top of the other. On the Granite Belt you can feast on local fresh produce and choose from a wide range of accommodation from simple to simply luxurious. Granite Belt Wine Country hosts work hard to make your stay in our region unforgettable. It’s a wonderful place to grow wine grapes, apples, strawberries and all kinds of stone fruit and vegetables. There are more apples grown on the Granite Belt than anywhere else in Australia. Visit award-winning wineries and chat to the people who grow the grapes and make the wine. A craft brewery offers hand-made beers. Come for the cool summer nights or the apple blossoms of springtime. Come for the red and gold of autumn trees and vineyards, or warm log-fires on crisp winter days – and on rare occasions you may even come to see snow. Come whenever you wish, the Granite Belt is always beautiful. It’s part of Queensland yet it’s another country. When you arrive
Make sure you visit the friendly Visitor Information Centre located on the southern bank of Quart Pot Creek (through town and over the bridge if you’re coming from the north), at 28 Leslie Parade, Stanthorpe | Open daily 9am – 4pm For more information: 07 4681 2057 | Disabled parking and access E: [email protected] Granite Belt Wine Country Find out more on our website: www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
QUEENSLAND
GRANITE BELT WINE COUNTRY BRISBANE
Sunrise on The Pyramid, Girraween National Park Cover Image: Sam Costanzo – The Eye of the Needle, Girraween National Park3 Sunrise at Girraween National Park
some of the animals that make our national A gentle stroll to the Granite Arch is a less National Park parks their home. This is a place to enjoy strenuous adventure. nature at its best, especially if you love Splendour the seasonal changes – the soft sunshine Girraween’s almost 12,000 hectares of and wildflowers of springtime, the cold, eucalypt forests are teeming with wildlife Whether you seek rest and repose crisp days of winter that make those rocky and rare and lovely plants. Girraween is or want to be active, there is nothing summits that much more reachable. an Aboriginal name for ‘place of flowers’ quite like time spent out-of-doors in our Noticeably absent is that high humidity that and in spring and summer it really does extraordinary environment – it’s ancient, often makes bushwalking in summer in live up to its name. At Girraween there beautiful and bountiful. lower climes, sticky and uncomfortable. are excellent facilities for camping and picnicking and 17km of well-defined Rejuvenate your body, mind and soul with walking tracks – from a gentle 1.4km a yoga session in a vineyard, stargaze Girraween National Park ramble to more than 10km hikes. The under stunning night skies, or sit beside Girraween National Park is renowned for summit tracks have steep slopes. a rocky cascade to listen to the sound its massive 200-million-year-old Triassic of rushing water and watch the birds flit granite boulders. Climb the Pyramid, Castle The winding 9km bitumen road to amongst the trees. You may even see Rock or take the hike to Mount Norman. Girraween National Park can be entered 26km south of Stanthorpe or 11km north of Wallangarra at the turn-off to Wyberba. For a shorter hike to Mount Norman, enter from the south via Wallangarra. Follow Mount Norman Road across a couple of grids and gain entrance through a gateway into the park. A few kilometres further is a parking and picnic area and the signposted track to Mount Norman.
Sundown National Park South-west of Stanthorpe is the wild and beautiful Sundown National Park – a contrast to the rounded giant ‘marbles’ of Girraween, Sundown is a wilderness park hidden in the Severn Valley to the
Mt Norman, Girraween National Park west of the New England Highway. Over millennia, the Severn River has cleaved
4 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 through the park’s ancient rock, forming spectacular sharp ridges and steep-sided gorges. It is popular with birdwatchers as many uncommon birds find a haven in its remote gorges.
About 5km from Sundown’s 4WD entrance via Ballandean, a side track leads to the spectacular Red Rock Gorge where 50m high falls tumble over cliffs stained red with lichen. At the southern end the Broadwater camping area is a family camping spot (great fun when the river is running). The ranger station is located here and this is the starting point for visitors wishing to experience the true Sundown wilderness. The Granite Arch Access to this park is via three directions – Girraween National Park the access via Ballandean is suitable for 4WD vehicles only, but there are two all-vehicle entrances that can be found south from In a small reserve off Jardine Street right electric BBQ and a playground. (Fishing Nundubbermere Road to Nundubbermere in the heart of Stanthorpe township, is and Power-Boat Permits are required). Falls and east from Glenlyon Dam Road to a group of huge granite boulders that the Broadwater camping area. just beg to be explored. A pleasant walking track leads around the top of the Further afield Closer to Stanthorpe small hillside. Locals call the formations To the east, just over the NSW border, ‘Sentimental Rocks’. Not far north of Stanthorpe, reached via reached via Tenterfield, is Bald Rock National Park and Boonoo Boonoo Falls. The Summit village, a winding gravel road If you’re a fishing fan, take a rod or line out Or north-east of Stanthorpe, the lovely leads to Donnelly’s Castle, a small park to Storm King Dam, which is stocked with and picnic area where huge caves have Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Silver Perch Queen Mary Falls near Killarney. About been formed from house-sized granite and many other fish species. At Storm 90km west is the huge Glenlyon Dam, also boulders. Walking tracks lead over, under King you can sail, kayak, water-ski or swim a haven for fishing enthusiasts as it is well and around the massive boulders. and there is a boat ramp, picnic area with stocked with several excellent fish species.
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 5 Autumn colours creep into Granite Belt vineyards after harvest
premium wines and one of the most reputation as one of Australia’s top 150 years of exciting wine regions in Australia. producers of alternative variety wines. winemaking At just under 1000 metres’ elevation, the A host of cellar doors offer a personal, Granite Belt is one of the highest wine unhurried and friendly wine experience. history regions in the nation and almost 900 Some offer free tastings, others charge a metres higher than Bordeaux in France nominal fee, refunded with a wine purchase. Wine grapes were first planted on the or the Napa Valley in the USA. The unique While making a purchase isn’t obligatory, if Granite Belt in the 1860s by the local terroir with its longer growing season you have enjoyed the wines, it is considered Catholic parish priest, Father Jerome and deep granitic gravels, combined with a courtesy. You can taste mainstream Davadi. Later many Italian families the innovative approach of the region’s varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, settled in the region and grew vines to winemakers and vignerons, produces chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, verdelho and make wine for their own consumption. wines of elegance and complexity. pinot gris – or discover the StrangeBirds – Cool climate wines as individual as a luscious alternative varieties. Many are old The children of those first pioneers fingerprint. European varieties that delight the senses studied at home and overseas, bringing with new and exciting aromas and flavours. with them a new enthusiasm for lesser- The last few years have seen a number known grape varieties. Over the past of emerging varieties grown with great For those who enjoy a great craft beer or decade Granite Belt wineries have made success on the Granite Belt, which is cider, a premium craft brewery has some their mark at national and interstate wine officially recognised as a wine-producing excellent brews. The Granite Belt Brewery shows and the region is now recognised region under its own GI (Geographical is gaining a reputation for the quality of its as a small but unique producer of Indicator). The region has a growing hand-made beers.
Three generations of passion, love and the strive for excellence. Mainstream varieties and a long list of Strangebird wines to tempt every palate. Cultural, food and wine events throughout the year.
337 Sundown Road, Ballandean Qld 4380 OPEN DAILY Ph: 07 4684 1291 • Email: [email protected] www.goldengroveestate.com.au
6 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 A tale of two families which their winemaker, Dylan Rhymer, Jason became a qualified chef and caters makes many outstanding and award- for functions at Golden Grove as well as The region’s reputation for providing winning wines. Now the fourth generation, helping in the vineyard. visitors with a friendly, personal wine the couple’s daughters, Leeanne Gangemi experience has been built on the and Robyn Henderson, have taken on There are now more than 30 cellar doors efforts of many passionate people. Two the management role. The girls grew up open to Granite Belt visitors. Many are families stand out. The Puglisi family of working in the business. relative newcomers who have seen the Ballandean Estate Wines, who were potential offered by the granitic soils and the first to establish a cellar door on the Another Sicilian immigrant, Salvatore Patti, dry, cooler climate for growing quality wine Granite Belt in 1970, and the Costanzo grandfather of current Golden Grove grapes. They all make their own special family, who established Golden Grove owner Sam Costanzo, also made wine contribution to the region’s growing Estate winery just a few hundred metres from his surplus table grapes. His daughter credibility and reputation for quality wines. away, in the late 1980s. Nita and husband Mario Costanzo – also from Italy, continued this practice, selling The Puglisi family tradition of wine-making their wines privately. Their second son, Wine Experiences & dates back to 1930 when Salvatore Cardillo, Sam, together with wife Grace, purchased Education an Italian immigrant, brought his family to the family property in the mid 1980s, A number of wineries offer private the region and planted table grapes on his gradually replacing table grapes with wine tasting rooms for groups, vineyard farm. He made wine from this fruit, which grapes and converting the farm to a full- tours and wine master-classes and he sold locally. His son-in-law, Alfio Puglisi, scale winery. Now their sons Raymond and the Queensland College of Wine then took up the baton before passing Jason have taken up the reins. Raymond & Tourism has Winemaker for a it to son Angelo and his wife, Mary. The studied wine-making at university, Weekend courses. couple saw the potential for a new industry graduating with a B. App Science, then in the area and decided to make wine worked in a number of important wine Find out more on our website or ask commercially, replanting their vineyard regions, including Washington State in the at our Visitor Information Centre on with wine grapes. Ballandean Estate Wines USA, before returning home and taking Quart Pot Creek. is now one of the region’s leading wineries, over as winemaker. Raymond has taken www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au producing high quality wine grapes from Golden Grove Estate’s wines to a new level.
The Puglisi Family of Ballandean Estate Wines The Costanzo Family of Golden Grove Estate
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 7 Respected wine judge and writer Mike Chests of Gold, Bennie, who contributes articles on wine for most of Australia’s leading magazines, Tables of Trophies and is also Editor-At-Large and contributor The sheer number of gold medals and to The Wine Front, a major online wine trophies proudly displayed in cabinets, commentary website, visited the region for tables and on walls in cellar doors the first time early in 2017 and made the throughout the Granite Belt, is testimony following observations: to the region’s growing reputation as “Granite Belt has to be one of Australia’s most one of Australia’s most interesting and exciting wine regions. Indeed, the scope of go-ahead wine regions. wines possible from the region is startling, Granite Belt wines have gone from being and the overall sense of quality, very high. a curiosity many years ago, to now taking Few regions in Australia manage to excel at their place among the respected wine so many varieties and styles, and few regions regions of Australia. It is a small region, but in Australia have a culture of innovation, and, Mike Hayes Australian Winemaker of the Year 2017 one that produces some excellent cool importantly, a willingness to let the region climate wines. speak clearly through its wines.” At an elevation of 1000 metres above sea Mike Hayes wins Australian Here on the Granite Belt we are proud of Winemaker of Year 2017 level, wines grapes take longer to ripen, our wines and the people behind them. ensuring luscious, full flavours with great Symphony Hill Wines Chief Winemaker, diversity between individual vineyards. Not all Granite Belt wineries enter Mike Hayes, upstaged some of Australia’s That sense of place (or terroir) is reflected wine shows or submit their wines for finest winemakers to win the 2017 in the quality of fruit produced on the assessment by wine writers, but those who Australian Winemaker of the Year award. Granite Belt. Wines from this region do, provide gold-standard proof that our This prestigious award is presented by the have been said to be as individual as a wines can compete with the best other Australian Society of Viticulture & Oenology, fingerprint. regions have to offer. which is based in Adelaide. It is the first time a Queenslander has won this award.
Mike Hayes has worked in the wine industry in 16 regions, four states and two countries and last year was appointed an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Queensland. He holds a Masters in Professional Studies (Viticulture) and Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Advanced Level 3. He is holder of a Churchill Fellowship and an expert on alternative wine varieties.
With Mike at the helm, Symphony Hill Wines has won countless trophies and
Wine Grape Harvest at Golden Grove Estate gold medals for its wines. Mike also makes premium wines for Savina Lane Wines.
Home of the 2017 – 2018 Free Wine Tastings at Australian Winemaker of 2017 Eukey Rd, Ballandean the Year, Mike Hayes 7 Days 10am - 4pm 2017 Best QLD Winery Trophy 2017 Best Alternative White Wine Trophy at National Wine Show of Australia 2017 Best QLD Red Wine Trophy | 2017 Best QLD White Wine Trophy 2017 Most Successful QLD Exhibitor Trophy at Royal Brisbane Wine Show
8 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Not all wineries enter wine shows. It is common for vignerons to decide their trophy cabinets are full and they no longer need to benchmark their wines. However, here are some of the Granite Belt wineries that have won accolades over the last couple of years. Balancing Rock – 2 gold medals sagrantino Ballandean Estate Wines – 8 trophies, 18 gold medals saperavi, late harvest Queensland College of Wine Tourism sylvaner, nebbiolo, fiano, muscat Robert Channon Wines – 4 trophies, 4 gold Three Granite Belt The Queensland College of medals petit verdot, verdelho, pinot gris wineries win Wine Tourism Girraween Estate – trophy, gold medal, shiraz/cabernet international gold medals Created as a joint venture between Three local producers of wine made from the Queensland Government and the Heritage Estate – trophy, gold medal the Saperavi grape, an ancient variety University of Southern Queensland, the chardonnay which has its origins in Georgia, eastern Queensland College of Wine Tourism is an Hidden Creek Winery – gold medal – Europe, each won gold medals at the industry training establishment dedicated tempranillo recent World Saperavi Prize competition in to raising quality and service standards in Jester Hill Wines – 2 trophies, 6 gold Tbilisi, Georgia. the food and wine tourism sector. medals, shiraz, petit verdot
The Saperavi grape can be traced back Better known locally by its acronym Just Red Wines – 4 trophies, 5 gold medals, about 6000 years and some believe all QCWT, the College provides a real-world shiraz/viognier, tannat, cabernet/merlot other vines are its descendants. It is a rich, industry training context for hospitality, Ravens Croft Wines – trophy, gold medal full-bodied wine, perfect with hearty tourism, commercial cooking and wine tempranillo meat dishes. industry operations for students. Ridgemill Estate – 3 trophies, 4 gold medals, cabernet/sauvignon/merlot, Ridgemill Estate, Symphony Hill Wines The College’s excellent function room chardonnay, pinot gris, saperavi and Ballandean Estate Wines all won gold and well-equipped seminar facilities have Savina Lane Wines – 5 trophies, 7 gold medals in the international competition. become a hub for wine industry training medals, fiano, viognier, graciano, shiraz and workshops which draw industry Wines came from the United States, professionals from across Australia as well as Summit Estate – 2 trophies, 3 gold Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia southern Queensland and northern NSW. medals, viognier, cabernet and New Zealand as well as Australia. Symphony Hill Wine – 19 trophies, 46 The on-site restaurant, Varias, overlooks gold medals, gewürztraminer, viognier, Ridgemill Estate and Ballandean Estate the ‘Vineyard of the Future’, planted by cabernet/sauvignon, vermentino, petit Wines have been growing saperavi on Granite Belt viticulturists to preserve and verdot, fiano, saperavi, lagrein, verdelho the Granite Belt for some years now, and trial new and heritage wine grape varieties. Twisted Gum Wines – trophy, gold Mike Hayes of Symphony Hill Wines says The restaurant is open every day for lunch medal, shiraz it shows the level of professionalism here and for dinner on Friday and Saturday – trophy, 2 gold and highlights the success of emerging nights. It is air-conditioned and the Whiskey Gully Wines medals, shiraz grape varieties in this climate. ambiance is calm and serene.
Welcome to a premium wine experience Beautiful wines. Passionate people. One of the Granite Belt’s loveliest vineyards overlooked by a modern, architect-designed cellar door.
Open Saturdays & Sundays 10-4pm 61 Savina Lane, Severnlea - off Back Creek Road - Enquiries: 0419 723 755
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 9 Tasting wine at a Granite Belt cellar door
Wherever you go on the Granite Belt you able to visit all wineries any day of the Meet the will be greeted by people who know and week, for the small wineries this is just not love good wine. People who spend their possible. The vineyards take priority and vignerons and lives seeking excellence, both in the quality there is much work to be done all year of fruit produced and the quality of wines round. Winery owners are friendly and winemakers made from that fruit. hard-working and love nothing better than The Granite Belt is one region where showing their wines to Granite Belt visitors, single-vineyard, hand-picked, hand- Opening Hours however the many demands of running crafted wine is the norm and not the There are at least a dozen Granite Belt a small winery place some restriction on exception. cellar doors that open seven days a week, times they can be in the cellar door. however the remainder generally open If you have your heart set on visiting a Unlike most of Australia’s wine industry, the for three or four days, or even just at particular winery and they are not open vast majority of wineries on the Granite weekends. Belt are owned and operated by individual when you are in the area, it is always worth families who work in the vines, make the Wineries do their best to always be open giving them a call to see if you can make wines and often, run the cellar door too. when advertised and it is rare to find them an appointment. While it might not always None of our wineries are owned by big closed at these times. While winery owners be possible, it is always worth a try. Phone corporations or listed on the stock market. understand that visitors would like to be numbers are on pages 30-31. HeritageHERITAGE ESTATE WINES Cool climate high altitude award winning wine. Producing stunning red wines from our 50-year-old vines at Ballandean. Elegant aromatic whites from our high altitude vineyards on the Northern Granite Belt. Our wines reflect the essence of cool climate viticulture. Varieties include Fiano, Chardonnay, Verdelho, Marsanne, Tempranillo, Shiraz, Mourvedre, Merlot and Cabernet. We now have two cellar doors on the Granite Belt - both are open 07 4685 2197 7 days a week 10am-4pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends. E: [email protected] The Old Church Cellar Door (New England Highway, Thulimbah, 12km north of Stanthorpe). www.heritageestate.com.au Set amongst beautiful native gardens. Taste all our wines and liqueurs 747 Granite Belt Drive or enjoy Paddy’s home cooked country food. Cottonvale The Winery Cellar Door (747 Granite Belt Drive, Cottonvale). OR A room you will never forget with its warehouse atmosphere, antiques, Crossroads at Thulimbah log fires and our full range of wine and liqueurs - it is wine tasting in style.
10 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Tasting Etiquette Around Australia it is now common to find wineries asking for a small tasting fee to sample their range of wines. This small amount is normally not charged if visitors make a wine purchase.
The Granite Belt has been slow to adopt this practice, but increasingly wineries are being forced to follow the trend as visitor numbers grow. If a visitor tastes five or six wines at a winery, that amounts to a glass of wine. Imagine how many free glasses of Tastings in front of a log fire wine that adds up to over a busy weekend. Increasingly visitors are coming in groups and instead of free glasses, these tastings can add up to free bottles! No business can keep giving away their product and expect nothing in return.
Of course when a wine purchase is made, that helps to cover the cost of a tasting, so most Australian wineries are happy to forgo the tasting fee, although there are some in the southern states that do not offer a refund with purchase.
Granite Belt winery owners are not high- pressure sales operators. They want you to enjoy the tasting experience and spend a lot of time ensuring you do. They are happy to answer all your questions, and, if they are not too busy, will even take you for a walk in their vineyards or show you their winery or wine storage cellar.
If you have enjoyed your visit, it is a courtesy to buy something. If you don’t like the wines or just aren’t in a position to buy (travelling on a bicycle for example), then paying the small tasting fee is a good way to recompense the winery for their time, Granite Belt visitors enjoy a wine tasting effort and product.
Wines in the cellar door Lunches in the Singing Lake Café Concerts in the Swigmore Hall
“They are by far the best Verdelhos I have ever tasted.” James Halliday 2003
“Arguably Australia’s foremost producer of Verdelho.” James Halliday 2009 “Takes the Verdelho to another level of length and intensity altogether.” James Halliday 2013 Verdelho · Chardonnay · Pinot Gris · Pinot Noir · Shiraz · Cabernet Sauvignon · Malbec · Rosé · Sparkling Bradley Lane (Off Amiens Rd), Amiens · Ph: (07) 4683 3260 · E: [email protected] www.robertchannonwines.com
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 11 Introducing our StrangeBird wines What to serve with StrangeBird White Wines Roussanne chicken, pork, veal, paté StrangeBird wines Alvarinho seafood, poultry Sylvaner (sweeter styles) blue cheese, crème brulee Lighter-flavoured wines match lighter- Chenin Blanc light creamy chicken & fish flavoured foods and full-flavoured wines Fiano seafood, poultry, pork, veal or sushi Verdelho seafood & light meats are best with full-flavoured dishes. There’s Gewurztraminer Indian & Thai dishes Vermentino strongly flavoured seafood a Granite Belt StrangeBird wine variety that Marsanne pork, veal or lobster in cream dishes matches perfectly with your favourite dish. sauce Viognier soft cheeses, creamy chicken, Here are a few recommendations: Petit Manseng Asian dishes, seafood rich seafood, pork
StrangeBird Red Wines Mourvedre game meat & duck dishes Sangiovese pizza margarita, Italian-style pork, veal or chicken Barbera pizza & antipasto Nebbiolo hearty meat dishes, beef casseroles & salami Sagrantino pizza, pasta, truffles Durif game or red meat dishes Graciano red meats, Mediterranean Nero d’Avola rich red meats, spicy Saperavi rich meat dishes dishes, venison, tajines casseroles & salami Tannat beef, lamb, strong cheeses, Malbec grilled game, red meats & pasta Petit Verdot lamb shanks & beef cassoulet Montepulciano grilled meat, lamb, casseroles Tempranillo tapas, cured ham, herbed bolognese sauce & pasta Pinotage red meats, duck & venison meat, smoked sausages
Balancing Rock Wines rustic little cellar door sits at the bottom of the mountains and vines in the heart of Southern Queensland’s high, cool climate Granite Belt region. Be delighted by the wine; be inspired by the landscape, views and vineyard; and enjoy the cellar door experience from the owners, David & Lori Broadbent. Award winning, cool climate wines, from Mike Hayes, Australia’s 2017 Winemaker of the Year. Open Friday to Monday from 10.00am to 4.00pm and all other times We have officially found by appointment. Also open on public holidays and school holidays our favourite winery! (except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day).
SARAH
P 0407 127 903 E [email protected]
BALANCING ROCK WINES P 0407 127 903 E [email protected] 221 Old Wallangarra Road, Wyberba via Ballandean QLD 4382
12 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 The StrangeBirds Beyond chardonnay. Beyond Shiraz (although both do brilliantly on the Granite Belt), there are our StrangeBirds. Our alternative varieties, also known as emerging varieties.
To be called an alternative, a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia as defined by Wine Australia. Over the past decade, the Granite Belt has become known for the sheer number of different, delightful and award-winning varieties available for tasting at cellar doors.
Pursue the StrangeBirds and discover wines you’ve never tasted. Wines that delight the senses and quench your desire for something new and exciting.
Enjoyed in Europe for generations, these alternative varieties are now emerging as Australian favourites due to their ability to match perfectly with our food preferences. Fiano awaits a dawn harvest
Ask for your copy of the StrangeBird Alternative Wine Trail Map, which will give you more information about them home cellar and room temperatures are There are several types of wine and tell you where you can taste them. much lower. Many wine critics have written thermometer on the market and the use of StrangeBird wines are available for tasting that Australians drink their white wines too one will add to your enjoyment of the wine at more than 24 cellar doors on the cold (often straight from the fridge) and as you will know it will be served ‘just right’. Granite Belt. their reds far too hot. There are small cubes or ‘pearls’ made from Serving Temperatures – White wines release their full aromas stainless steel or plastic widely available that No ice cubes please! and flavours between 10-13˚C, not chilled you can use to keep both red and white like Champagnes – although serious wines cool. These can be kept in your freezer Serving wine at room temperature Champagne aficionados would never drink until required. If the weather is very hot, just doesn’t mean that of a Queensland their Krug straight from the refrigerator. pop one or two into your glass and your summer’s day when inside your home They would also recommend you serve wine will stay at the perfect temperature can be up to or more than 30˚C. In fact your bubbly around 8-10˚C, even up to 13˚C. you might need to chill your red wines! without being diluted by melting ice. After all, Reds should be enjoyed at between 18-20˚C. you wouldn’t want to spoil all the hard work The practice of serving red wine at room Ten or twenty minutes in the refrigerator of the people who went to so much trouble temperature came from Europe where should do the trick in a Queensland summer. to make the wine for you.
an award winning modern winery in the heart of queensland’s stunning granite belt
open 7 days luxury studio accommodation must visit cellar door only 2½ hours from brisbane, 218 donges road, severnlea 07 4683 5211 weekendk ridgemillestate.com getaway granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 13 It’s a location with a strong history of the belief exceptional fruit is the foun- viticulture and wine making. The first dation of superb wine. grapes were planted in the region by “When the fruit comes into the winery the local Italian community in the at harvest, it is just crushed, fermented 1960s. When a property boasting and bottled, with minimal interference,” A Taste of the some of those original Semillon and Adrian explains of his process. Shiraz vines hit the market in 2000, Adrian knew As a result, Granite Belt it was time you won’t see to move from any blends at his profes- “Our wines express Tobin Wines, in a glass... sional life in with each Brisbane to grape vari- The Granite Belt is Queensland’s home of wine, but who a life among their origins in the etal given the spotlight to are the people behind the vintages and what does it take to the vines on the Granite rugged & majestic reveal its own produce a fine drop in one of Australia’s highest wine re- Belt. unique fla- gions? Meet the man behind award-winning Tobin Wines. vour. It is this When he ar- landscape of the characteristic rived, he dis- that has led covered those Granite Belt” to Adrian’s 50-year-old vintages, each vines were Understanding the approached retirement that Adrian named after Tobin Wines Philosophy the only plants on the property, so with decided to follow his dream of estab- his grandchildren, being described as his work cut out for him, Adrian em- It’s not about making wine, it’s about lishing a vineyard. “the best of the best”. barked on a strict planting program. growing it. That’s the philosophy Bal- “I’ve had a life-long love affair with Tobin Wines now boasts Shiraz, Cab- His wines have won multiple awards, landean vineyard owner Adrian Tobin wine,” he conceded “and spent my life ernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranil- and yet Adrian remains humble about lives by. visiting wineries and reading and learn- lo, Semillon, Verdelho, Chardonnay, what he has achieved. “No wine maker is gifted enough to make ing as much as I could about grape grow- Muscat and Sauvignon Blanc vines, all “Life is all about chasing dreams and those wonderful flavours and aromas – ing and wine making. As a parochial painstakingly cared for by Adrian. trying to fulfil them. Mine was to make all of the work happens out there, in the Queenslander, I wanted to involve myself some exceptional wine before I died,” he Bringing to Life Tobin Wines vineyard,” he said. in lifting the profile of Queensland wine quipped. “It’s all very self-indulgent re- It’s the flavours of Adrian’s vineyard and always held the firm belief that the “Quality rather than quantity” is the ally.” little valley of Ballandean, less than 20 mantra of Tobin Wines. This determi- which shine through his wines. It also Tobin’s Wines is located at 34 Ricca Rd, kilometres south west of Stanthorpe, was nation to produce only the very best means they perfectly reflect a sense of Ballandean. The cellar door is open for the place to establish a vineyard.” sees Adrian and his wife Fran clock place, evoking Queensland’s Granite tastings every Friday – Monday from 100-hour weeks, tending to the vines Belt in a glass. 10am – 5pm. by hand. Their hard work is driven by “No other wine growing region in Aus- tralia has what we have in terms of geog- raphy, topography, altitude and climate,” Adrian explains of his home. “It’s this Adrian’s Insider Tips when visiting combination which produces wine of such high character and quality.” the Granite Belt Tell us how to create an amazing Any secret you can give Looking at the History of Granite Belt experience? the travelers? Tobin Wines The night sky is always a source of wonder be- For bird watchers there is a huge While his love of the region is evident, cause of our altitude and clarity of the atmo- diversity of birdlife in the region. Adrian Tobin didn’t grow up among sphere, the stars seem close enough to touch. Granite Belt offers a beautiful area the grapes of the Granite Belt. A city- The wild life appears in abundance at dusk if for unique Australian landscapes based pharmacist and businessman for you take a quiet walk. In daylight hours, be and flora and fauna. Make sure more than 20 years, it wasn’t until he overcome with the majesty and starkness of the you visit Girraween National Park. high Granite Belt rugged country.
Open Cellar Door Tastings Friday – Monday Inclusive, 10am – 5pm Other Days Private tastings, by appointment only* (Excluding Good Friday, Anzac Day until 1pm & Christmas Day)
*If you are booking private tastings, you are more than welcome to bring your wine-loving friends along. These tastings are restricted to 10 – 12 people.
A year in the life of a vineyard While the vineyard might pass through a 12-month cycle, for most vignerons, a month can feel like a year as they battle everything from the weather to the wildlife.
Like farmers everywhere, vignerons are at the mercy of the elements. Spring is bud burst time and the most dangerous time for frosts that can burn off new growth overnight and affect yield. Increasingly vignerons are using anti-frost equipment – Bird netting usually goes out either sprinkler systems or huge anti-frost when grapes turn red (veraison) fans that prevent frost from settling on the emerging shoots.
By the arrival of those hot summer days, Keeping the wildlife at bay Vignerons can take a short break over autumn as pruning of the vines is usually it is hailstorms that become a vineyard Visitors to the region in summer may also left until late winter before the sap owner’s worst enemy. Every year vineyards notice black or white netting in vineyards, starts rising again in spring. At that time at one end of the Granite Belt or the other, either over each individual row, or multiple vignerons have to be fresh and ready to will suffer hail damage to their fruit. Some rows. This is to protect the fruit from huge face another year of challenges. years whole crops can be lost and nothing flocks of birds that we love having around can be harvested at all that vintage. most of the year, but wish they would go Vintage (or harvest-time) on the Granite to the beach for the summer months. Belt usually commences in late January or The birds and the feral foxes love the early February for growers who have early- sweet fruit, however our mobs of ripening varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, kangaroos only wish to laze between the Semillon and Verdelho. Late February and shady vine rows and leave the grapes early March sees the aromatic whites, such alone. For the Ballandean wineries, feral as Chardonnay, Fiano and Viognier being deer can also be a problem. They do like harvested. Most reds like Merlot, Malbec eating grapes and can get antlers caught and Shiraz are picked mid to late March, in bird netting and in an effort to escape, however some varieties, such as Cabernet can cause mayhem. Sauvignon, Graciano and Montepulciano, can still be on the vines towards the end After all the fruit has been picked, the vine of April or in cooler years according to leaves turn red or gold and one by one, Leeanne Gangemi of Ballandean Estate fall off until only bare sticks are left. Frosts Wines, into early May. Extreme hot that arrive over autumn and winter do summers will bring the grapes on early. not harm the vines themselves, nor does Cool, rainy summers not only bring issues snow, providing the temperatures do not Frost on a dormant grapevine with disease, but delay ripening. drop too far below zero.
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 15 Getting the most from your wine tasting Many visitors to the Granite Belt are wine experts themselves, so they really know how to get the most out of their wine tasting. However, some visitors are new to wine or perhaps have not had an Not everyone is an experienced wine taster opportunity or have not had the time to learn the finer points of tasting wine.
The first thing to remember is not to hurry. alcohol content only. The higher the There are areas on the tongue that sense Here are a few brief guidelines to increase alcohol, the more viscous the wine will be different taste sensations such as bitter, your enjoyment of the wine tasting and those ‘legs’ will stay on the side of the sweet, sour and salty for example so experience: glass longer. It is a myth that long-lasting letting the wine roll over your tongue may ‘legs’ denote wine quality. assist you to identify more flavours. Look, swirl and sniff Swirl the wine around again and put your The colour of wine tells you a lot about nose right into the glass, at the same time Finally, identify the finish of where it’s at in terms of age and taste, even taking a full sniff. What can you smell? the wine before you put a drop into your mouth. Young wines will have fresh fruity aromas This is best done by simply swallowing, Hold your glass against a white page, tilt it and older ones more earthy or spicy but many people can assess the finish and slightly and really look at the colour. White smells. still spit the wine out. In fact if you plan wines tend to gain colour as they age. to visit a number of wineries, then use Most white wines are meant to be enjoyed Note the sensation of taste the spittoons provided, otherwise your young and they will have a pale straw ability to assess wines as the day passes colour. Some aromatic white wines (such Now, after looking, swirling and sniffing, it will diminish as your blood alcohol level as Viognier and Fiano) do age well and is time to taste the wine. Take a good sip. increases. take on a more golden hue. White wines Swish it around in your mouth and note that come from cooler climates won’t be the taste in the back of your throat and The finish of a wine is just how long the as golden as those from warmer places. how it feels in your mouth (e.g. is it rich taste of the wine stays on your palate after and heavy (viscous) or light and thin)? The swallowing. The length of the finish is the Almost all red wines start out bright purple higher alcohol content the more viscous final indicator of the wine’s quality. The but change with age towards a red ‘brick’ the wine will feel – that is it will be light, taste of some exceptional wines will remain colour. Of course not all red wines have medium or full-bodied. Give the wine a on your palate for more than a minute. the same colour intensity – Pinot Noir for little slurp to release flavours – don’t be example is lighter in colour than most reds. embarrassed to make a noise. The finish is important because it is your final impression of a wine. If the flavours Once you have had a good look at the The body of a wine is a term used to drop off quickly it can be disappointing. A appearance of the wine, swirl it around describe the sense of ‘fullness’ in your good finish will leave you delighted and in your glass to check its ‘legs’ (or if you mouth. Full-bodied wines are big and wanting another sip. A bad one might prefer, its ‘tears’) and release the aromas. powerful, and light-bodied wines are more make you wish the finish would hurry up The ‘legs’ or ‘tears’ are an indication of delicate and lean. and end!
Vineyard • Cellar Door • Winery • Cafe • Weddings & Functions • Home-made & Local Produce Well behaved pooches (on a lead) always welcome!
16 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Wineries to visit It is best to check websites for the latest news on winery opening times. Winery locations and website details are listed on the Regional Map on pages 30-31. Alternatively, you can collect a Wine Trail Map from the Visitor Information Centre in Stanthorpe.
Balancing Rock Wines Pyramids Road Wines Open Fri-Mon 10-4pm, Open 7 days 10-4.30pm 7 days School & Pub Hols Qld College of Wine Tourism Ballandean Estate Wines (Banca Ridge) Open 7 days 9-5pm Open 7 days 9-4pm Closed Pub Hols Boireann Winery Open Fri-Mon 10-4pm Ravens Croft Wines Open Fri-Sun & long weekends Bungawarra Wines 10.30-4.30pm Open 7 days 10-4pm Ridgemill Estate Take a Tour Casley Mount Hutton Winery Open Mon-Sat 10-5pm; Sun 10-3pm Let someone else do the driving on Open Fri-Mon 9.30-4.30pm & Pub Hols an escorted winery or brewery tour. Robert Channon Wines Girraween Estate Granite Belt tour operators are not Open Mon, Tues, Fri 11-4pm; Open Sat-Sun & Pub Hols 10-5pm only professional, they are determined Sat-Sun 10-5pm that their guests have a thoroughly Golden Grove Estate Rumbalara Estate Wines rewarding experience. Open Sat 9-5pm; Sun-Fri 9-4pm Open 7 days 10-5pm Granite Ridge Wines They offer a wide range of possibilities, Savina Lane Wines Open 7 days 9-5pm whether you just want a get-together Open Sat-Sun 10-4pm from Easter with friends and a tour of the wineries, Heritage Estate Wines until Sold Out or are serious about wine and want a & Churchyard Café Sirromet Wines* (Mt Cotton Brisbane) more in-depth experience. Or perhaps Open Mon-Fri 10-4pm; Sat-Sun 9-5pm Open 7 days 10-5pm something in the middle. Take a Hidden Creek Winery & Café Summit Estate half-day or full day tour with lunch Open Mon & Fri 11-3pm; Sat-Sun 10-4pm Open Fri-Sat 10-8pm; included, or just enjoy a morning or Check website for other times afternoon tour if that’s all the time you Jester Hill Wines have. Whatever you choose, it will be Open 7 days 10-5pm Symphony Hill Wines fun-filled and enjoyable. Just Red Wines Open 7 days 10-4pm Open Fri-Mon 10-5pm Tobin Wines Recommended: Closed September Open Fri-Mon 10-5pm Filippo’s Tours Kominos Wines Twisted Gum Wines www.filippostours.com.au Open 7 days 9-5pm Open Sat-Sun 10-4pm Granite Highlands Maxi-Tours Masons Cellar Door, Café & Deli Whiskey Gully Wines www.maxitours.com.au Open Fri-Mon 10-5pm Open Fri-Tues 10-5pm Stanthorpe Tours *Sirromet Wines vineyards are on the Granite Belt but their cellar door is located in www.stanthorpetours.com.au Mt Cotton Road, Mt Cotton.
Estate Jester Hill Wines Grown Est 1993 – not ‘jester’ notha winery Stunning Wines CELLAR DOOR & JESTER CAFE Family DAILY – Tastings/sales: 10am to 5pm THURSDAY TO SUNDAY (MAR to SEP) – Lunch: 11.30 to 2.30pm Owned Enquiries for dinner bookings of 10 or more welcome. Visit us to find theperfect wedding/event venue. Family Friendly Tranquil Setting
jesterhillwines.com.au [email protected] 292 Mt Stirling Rd, Glen Aplin QLD 4381 (07) 4683 4380
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 17 Granite Belt eateries offer fresh, local produce
Quite a few of our eateries are located focuses on seasonal produce sourced Tastes of the within vineyards, so enjoying a glass of from local producers. The purpose- award-winning Granite Belt wine with lunch designed College also has an impressive Granite Belt or dinner offers a chance to enjoy the best tasting room and cellar door. of what is produced in this cool, mountain Great food is an important part of any climate. The Barrelroom and Larder at Granite Belt visit. Fortunately, for such Ballandean Estate Wines is overlooked by a small region, we have a wonderful Remember it is always good to phone an array of magnificent old barrels. The selection of delightful restaurants, casual ahead to check opening hours and make cuisine is modern Australian, prepared cafes and winery dineries. During the a reservation. In the busy times, bookings from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients are essential at many. by two expert Chefs. A seven-course busy log-fire season and school holidays, degustation menu with matching wines bookings are essential, but at most other Varias Restaurant at Queensland College can also be enjoyed. times, our excellent hosts will find you of Wine Tourism aims for excellence with a table. its contemporary Australian menu that The bar at the Granite Belt Brewery is open from 10am every day. The restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner. Enjoy fresh local produce and great craft beer along with country hospitality.
At Hidden Creek Winery & Café, lunch can be served indoors or outside under the trees beside one of the prettiest lakes in the region. The menu has been selected to pair beautifully with their wines.
Heritage Estate Wines offers wine tastings and morning coffee or lunch at its Churchyard Café on the Highway, which was beautifully transformed from an old wooden church and decorated with elegant period furniture.
Jester Hill Wines serves delicious lunches four days a week in their warm-hearted family-run café, which has lovely vineyard
Varias Restaurant Qld College of Wine Tourism views from the terrace. Wine tastings are available every day.
18 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Mason Wines Cellar Door Café serves all day platters and lunch in a rustic setting Fruit box overlooking the vineyard. Bookings are preferred, phone 0439 530 535. Taste the wines, olives, jams, chutneys, chilli sauces, fudge and plenty more. Top Tip Robert Channon Wines Singing Lake • Look for the signs Café offers a lunch menu in a serene ‘ ’ setting overlooking a wide expanse of Sam’s Fruit on the highway water. An ideal spot for a celebration. near Thulimbah There are monthly concerts at the winery’s if you want to Swigmore Hall. Phone 4683 3260. stock up on the Whiskey Gully Wines’ restaurant in the freshest, just- historic Beverley Homestead offers an picked local fruit exquisite lunch or dinner by reservation. and vegetables. The imaginative six-course Saturday night Turn at Middleton degustation menu is a true gourmet Road. experience. Diners are entertained by the talented host, on one of his many guitars.
The menu is fresh, diverse & delicious Long before the Granite Belt gained a reputation as Queensland’s premier wine region, a multi-million dollar horticultural own strawberries, enjoy their delicious A combination of 1000 metres’ elevation, and agricultural industry flourished – strawberry ice cream or indulge in a fresh low humidity and granitic soils enables growing apples, peaches, plums, apricots, strawberry dipped in chocolate. our local producers to supply fruit and cherries and dozens of row crops such vegetables of a quality unparalleled in as tomatoes, capsicums and hand-picked Granite Belt Christmas Farm & Australia. beans, all of which are still grown here with Chocolate Shop is a fun-filled experience great success. for all ages. The hand-crafted chocolates Most visitors to the region aren’t aware are made in-house from the finest Belgian that fresh local venison is available. Or The Granite Belt is now the nation’s largest locally-produced organic lamb, pork, chocolate and are combined with fresh producer of apples and supplies the vast bacon and processed meats like prosciutto local fruits to produce a range of mouth- majority of summer salad vegetables, such and chorizo. Premium beef is sourced watering treats. Enjoy a hot chocolate. as tomatoes and lettuces, to Australian just across the border from quality New consumers. Browse the Mistletoe Store for Christmas England producers. decorations, cookbooks and gifts. Let the Vast fields of strawberries were planted in children enjoy the sight of reindeer and Whether you’re enjoying breakfast in one recent years to supply this luscious berry feed farm animals. of our excellent bed & breakfasts, lunching from October to May, when growers in or dining in one of our Tourism Award- other regions are unable to grow them See a forest of living Christmas trees being winning restaurants or eateries or even because it is too hot. One of the largest is prepared to grace happy homes in the just enjoying a sandwich in a café, it’s likely Ashbern Farms where you can pick your festive season. you’ll be served fresh local produce.
DinnerLunch Fri &7 daysSat
(07) 4685 5050 www.qcwt.com.au
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 19 Jamworks Gourmet Café & Larder
Jamworks gaining renown to meet the owners and sample their heritage with home-style breakfast and growing range of outstanding products lunch, home-made cakes and great coffee In home kitchens, restaurants and and enjoy a gorgeous meal in their every day. Markets on the platform first successful commercial enterprises – fascinating café. They are licensed and sell Sunday each month. passionate people are converting our local wines and beers. local produce into gourmet delights The Rocks Restaurant at Honeysuckle – from preserves, jams and chutneys The Market in the Mountains is normally Cottages off the Highway near town, offers sold at purpose-built boutiques such held on the second Sunday of the month a fusion of Korean and Japanese cuisine in as Jamworks, or at our Market in the and on other special dates to coincide with Mountains. long weekends. The market is from 8am to a lovely setting. 12 midday. The talented young owner-chefs at Steeped in European culture with produce Jamworks are now exporting their Just inside the Queensland border with as diverse as its seasons, the Granite Belt products widely outside the region and NSW, the Wallangarra Railway Café is a food enthusiast’s delight from the many visitors arrive on the Granite Belt & Museum offers a taste of history and paddock to the pantry to the plate.
Stanthorpe Tours with Filippo’s, the tour specialists, are for people who enjoy great wine, great food and a great day out on the Granite Belt near Stanthorpe. Discover the famous wineries and special places of interest, whilst enjoying award winning wines with friends. All our drivers are courteous and knowledgeable in the Stanthorpe South East Queensland area.
TOUR PROFESSIONALS Showing you the BEST of the Granite Belt District
FREE CALL 1800 020 383 www.fi lippostours.com.au p: 07 4681 3130 m: 0409 877 973 e: tours@fi lippostours.com.au
20 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 RECOMMENDED (see maps on back pages for location) Ashbern Farms Café Jester Hill Wines Café (formerly Strawberry Fields) Open March-September Fri-Sun 11-2.30pm Open Wed-Sun 9-4.30pm Oct to May for lunch; 7 days for coffee & cake
The Barrelroom at Mason Wines Cellar Door Café Deli Open Fri-Mon 10-5pm; Ballandean Estate Wines lunch 11.30-2.30pm; All Day platters Open Thurs-Sun 12-10pm; Mon 12-2pm The Rocks Restaurant at Granite Belt Brewery Honeysuckle Cottages Open 7 days lunch 12-2.30pm, Open 6 days 5.30-9pm; closed Tues dinner 5.30-8.30pm, buffet breakfast Sun 7.30-10am Robert Channon Wines Whiskey Gully Winery & Restaurant Singing Lake Café Granite Belt Christmas Farm Open Sun-Mon 11-3pm for lunch & Chocolate Shop Stanthorpe RSL Club Open Wed-Sun 9-5pm Open 7 days lunch 12-2pm & dinner 5.30-8pm Heritage Wines Churchyard Café Open Mon-Fri 10-4pm; Sat-Sun 9-5pm Varias Restaurant Open 7 days, 9-4pm; dinner Fri-Sat Hidden Creek Winery Café from 6pm; closed public holidays Open Mon & Fri 12-2pm; Sat-Sun 12-2.30pm Wallangarra Railway Café Open 7 days; Sat-Sun 8-3pm; Mon-Fri 9-3pm for breakfast and lunch Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder Whiskey Gully Wines Open Fri-Tues 9-4.30pm; Lunch or dinner (incl. Sat night 7 days school holidays degustation menu) by reservation
Sunset picnic Enjoying a Granite amongst Belt craft beer Autumn vines
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 21 Stanthorpe Art Gallery
The railway arrived in 1881 bringing an The Somme. Stanthorpe is still a place Arts & Heritage influx of German settlers. that welcomes newcomers.
Long before explorer Allan The cool, dry climate was valued as an A drive or walk around Stanthorpe Cunningham came this way in 1827, the aid to health from the early nineteenth will reveal some wonderful vintage region was a heartland of the Kambu century especially for those suffering Queenslander-style houses, but the town Wal people as their summer hunting from tuberculosis or chest conditions. is dominated by its beautiful old post grounds. By 1844 four squatters had Following the First World War, office, which is still in use. Stanthorpe taken up a vast area of the Granite Belt. Stanthorpe was a major resettlement Post Office was built of local granite and The Crown Land Act of 1868 led to an area for soldiers recovering from brick in 1901. It is a good example of influx of selectors, as well as enabling mustard gas exposure. Many of these Edwardian Classical design with arched shepherds and other farm labourers Soldier Settlers took up the land leased windows and an ornamental ceiling and to acquire land of their own. The large to them in the areas around Stanthorpe was the first in Australia to be built after holdings began to shrink. which now bear the names of WW1 Federation, however its magnificent battlefields, such as Pozieres, Messines, English-made clock, installed in 1903, The 1870’s discovery of tin at Quart Fleurbaix, Amiens, Passchendaele and bears the British Coat of Arms. Pot Creek brought miners hoping to strike it lucky. As the settlement grew in importance, Quart Pot, as it was then known – named that by a miner who accidentally left his quart pot beside the creek at which he had camped – was changed to Stannum (Latin for tin). Later the name was gazetted as Stanthorpe, literally meaning ‘tin town’. The Stanthorpe tin field was the greatest tin producer in Queensland and its production has not been eclipsed to present times.
When the tin prices fell many miners turned to farming. The climate was suitable for growing cool climate fruits and vegetables. Grapes were first planted here in the 1860s with encouragement from the local Catholic parish priest Father Jerome Davadi, in order to produce altar wine. His Italian descent made grape growing and wine production a familiar pastime and the notion caught on in the area. There were Stanthorpe Museum is housed in the plenty of Italian settlers and wine was 1914 old Shire Council Chambers made for home enjoyment.
22 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 services stopped in 1997. In 2003, after major refurbishment, the station was reopened as a museum and now also houses a delightful café where morning teas and lunches can be enjoyed seven days a week.
The railway line from Stanthorpe to Wallangarra has continued to be maintained and steam trains taking tourists to Wallangarra occasionally operate from Warwick, stopping in Stanthorpe to pick up extra passengers.
A thriving centre for Arts Wallangarra Railway Café & Museum and Crafts This is a perfect climate for artists and artisans. Here are a few highly Stanthorpe Museum – on the large site so make sure you set recommended places to visit: a must-see treasure aside enough time to enjoy them all. Winner of multiple Awards for Excellence, Stanthorpe Art Gallery Stanthorpe Museum is an outstanding The Red Bridge Stanthorpe is privileged to have an Art regional museum housed in the 1914 old Stanthorpe’s famous Red Bridge railway Gallery of this size and quality. Established Shire Council Chambers. crossing over Quart Pot Creek was built in 1972, the collection now comprises between 1885 and 1888 using horse-drawn more than 900 pieces and represents the There is the School Residence built in 1894, drays and manpower to move the tonnes diversity of Australian art practice through complete with inkwells, school desks and of rock needed for banking. Many who wide-ranging mediums – fibre/textile, slates. Gracious Ardmore House, once the came to build the bridge stayed to build painting, ceramics, works on paper and summer residence of a wealthy Brisbane new lives in the region. The stroll to the sculpture. The collection includes works by family, was built in 1920 and is now Red Bridge along Quart Pot Creek follows Margaret Olley, Charles Blackman, William filled with wonderful period collections. a well-made path and in hot weather the Heath House, built in 1940, has complete cool, rocky pools upstream are a delight. Robinson, Jon Molvig, Gordon Bennett rooms dressed with household furniture and Barbara Schey. New exhibitions are and items from the Thirties and Forties regularly presented. Open Tues-Fri 10-4pm; including some gorgeous vintage clothes. Wallangarra Railway Station The railway station was created to service Sat-Sun 10-1pm. Wilsons Downfall Gaol, also on the a break-of-gauge between Queensland’s Museum site, was built in 1876 and used narrow gauge railway line and New Stanthorpe Museum for more than 100 years. See antique farm South Wales’s standard gauge when the Open Wed-Fri 10-4pm; Sat 1-4pm; machinery, fire engines and an important two systems met in 1888. Until 1932, the Sun 9-1pm. and poignant WW1 display as well as the railway was the only rail link between old Glen Aplin Telephone Exchange which Queensland and New South Wales. From Wallangarra Railway Station & Museum carried all interstate military calls during that time on, the Wallangarra station Open 7 days; Sat-Sun 8-3pm; Mon-Fri WW11. There are fifteen complete buildings lessened in importance. All scheduled rail 9-3pm for breakfast and lunch.
The place to lose yourself There’s always more to explore in our backyard
Leave the city hustle behind and lose yourself in the Southern Downs and Granite Belt. From Warwick, Killarney and Allora, to the Granite Belt in the south, we have the perfect mix of breathtaking natural landscapes, immersive wine experiences, spectacular heritage sites and exhilarating events across our whole backyard.
Visit southerndownsandgranitebelt.com.au for trip ideas Southern Downs Main Range National Park, Southern Downs & Granite Belt
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 23 A perfect place for a Special Event Whether it is a wedding or a party to celebrate a significant birthday, there is a venue just right for you on the Granite Belt. From vineyard and winery restaurants to the magnificent function rooms of the Queensland College of Wine Tourism. You won’t have any problems finding the perfect place. Stanthorpe Zonta Club holds Stanthorpe is known as the coolest its Pink Dinners at QCWT place in Queensland and our log fires and glorious crisp sunny days in winter are renowned throughout the State. But perhaps it’s not quite so well known that Grazing the Granite Belt is held every year in mid-May. Two days of lazy grazing Recommended for your no matter how hot the summer days next visit Find them all on on the coast, it will be cooler with lower on gourmet local produce matched with www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au humidity at 1000 metres up on the premium Granite Belt wines and ciders with Granite Belt. Our four gorgeous seasons a hop-off, hop-on bus to take you from one 31 The Rocks • Accommodation mean holding your special event or small delicious experience to another. Find out Creek Cottages • Alpine Lodges conference here offers the perfect escape more on www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Stanthorpe • Briar Rose Cottage from heat, noise and bustle. Recognised nationally is the Australian • Connor House • Country Style Small Winemakers’ Show, held annually Caravan Park • Diamondvale Check our website for updates of coming Cottages • Fergie’s Hill Cottage events: www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au. in Stanthorpe in October, this event attracts thousands of entries from small • Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park We’ve not long celebrated our renowned bi- wine producers all over Australia and NZ. • Granite Belt Brewery & Retreat annual Apple & Grape Festival which was Find out more on www.asws.com.au. • Grovely House • Highland Croft held at the beginning of this year. Thousands Cottage • Honeysuckle Cottages of visitors came to the region for a week of Simple or simply luxurious • James Farmhouse & Cottages wonderful music, food and wine. The next places to stay • Just Red Wines Vineyard Cabins one will be in 2020, so keep an eye on their The choice of where to stay on the Granite • Loggers Rest • Loughmore House website for details: www.appleandgrape.org. Belt is as diverse and enticing as our & Cottage • Lynrose Place • Mallow This is a magnificent event so make your environment and our wines. Cottage • MJs Yurts Ballandean accommodation bookings early. • MollyMac Cottages • Possum’s From private bushland cottages or Hollow & Hooter’s Hut • Ridgemill Queensland’s premier winter event, cabins in a vineyard, to secluded forest Escape • Rovers Rest Guesthouse Snowflakes in Stanthorpe Festival will and garden locations, luxury villas or • Sancerre Estate • Severn-Dipity be held in 2019 with real snow fields, ice- affordable family cabins and friendly • Sippers at Ballandean skating rink, winter markets, human snow motels in the heart of town. We have • Stannum Lodge Motor Inn globes and activities for every age. Don’t listed our recommendations and you • Twisted Gum Vineyard Cottage miss this. Check the website: can find out more details about them at • Whiskey Gully Wines Bush Cottages www.snowflakesinstanthorpe.com.au. www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au.
Sippers at Ballandean is your perfect escape. Located in the heart of the Granite Belt Wine Country, our Ballandean 4.5 star accommodation provides the reassuring comforts of home, as well as a jumping off point for wine, bush walking and touring activities. Sippers If you enjoy the fi ner details of staying away from home then our boutique 4-bedroom guest house is perfect for you. Ideal for groups of friends, couples and families, our luxury 4.5 star accommodation in at Ballandean Ballandean is fully equipped with all the facilities you need for a relaxing trip. Downstairs you’ll fi nd four themed bedrooms each with a large ensuite and reverse cycle air-conditioning E: [email protected] caters for all temperatures. Open a beautiful bottle of wine with friends, cook up a BBQ or play a few hands P: Graham 0409 788 772 of poker at the games table. With a spacious kitchen, laundry, fi replace, television area and native garden, www.ballandean.net.au you will not be disappointed when you choose to stay at Sippers luxury accommodation in Ballandean.
24 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 ACCOMMODATION
he oc s ountr t le iamond ale ottages Villas with Style ara an ar Stanthorpe’s best location “Relax – Revive – Re-energise” • Less than 3 kms to town, set in bushland on the Nestled in the heart of the Granite Belt Wine Private 10-acre property with valley views and banks of Quart Pot Creek Region just a few minutes south of Stanthorpe. rock outcrops. Studio, One Bedroom and Two Large drive through powered sites and • Enjoy a hot cooked breakfast, observe our native Bedroom Villas each with a unique aspect and unpowered camping along the water’s edge. Six wildlife or walk to town along the creek trail privacy. Wood ire, reverse cycle AC, private BBQ fully self-contained ensuite cabins – cosy wood • Peaceful and luxurious self-contained country and fully self-contained. Stylish, modern design burners or electric heating. Non-ensuite and style cottages with log ires and balconies with comfort in mind. Allow us to ensure your bunk style cabins suitable for large groups. Clean stay is memorable. well behaved pets welcome (subject to approval). countr st lecara an ar .com.au diamond alecottages.com.au theroc s.com in o countr st lecara an ar .com.au sta diamond alecottages.com.au 31 Brunckhorst Avenue, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 27156 New England Highway, Glen Aplin QLD 4381 26 Diamondvale Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
ranite elt ro el ouse one suc le ottages rewer etreat Where you come to Relax The perfect escape Formerly Happy Valley Retreat • Contemporary B&B with 4 Queen Rooms and Located close to the centre of town, but hidden 1 King Suite each with own ensuite. away in native bushland, our eight fully self- Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life • Spectacular views of the Severn Ranges. contained cottages enable you to relax and enjoy and enjoy the peaceful bush setting of Granite the comforts and serenity of country living. Belt Brewery Retreat. With 20 cabins, restaurant • Enjoy a full breakfast served in our dining room. and function room and of course Granite Belt • Extensive library and welcoming hospitality. • Log ire • Spa bath • Kitchen • Outdoor entertaining area with ire pit Brewery, there’s no need to leave if you don’t • Beautiful gardens to sit and enjoy. want to. Enjoy our famous ‘Brewer’s Platter’. • Breakfast hamper • Open ireplace for those chilly nights. gro el house.com.au hone suc lecottages.com.au granitebeltbrewer .com.au in o gro el house.com.au in o hone suc lecottages.com.au 146 Glenlyon Drive, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 1A Torrisi Terrace, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 15 Mayfair Lane, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
ames armhouse ust ed ines ogger s est ose ottage ine ard abins ottage ungalow The Farmhouse is an amazing venue full of rustic Just Red Wines has two self-contained two- Logger’s Rest is a luxury B&B within walking charm, located in the heart of Ballandean with bedroom cabins situated overlooking the distance of the centre of Stanthorpe with a warm impressive views overlooking a vineyard. vineyard in a tranquil setting, adjacent to native and friendly atmosphere in a home full of old 15 Award winning wineries within a 10 min drive bush and giant granite boulders. Enjoy a glass of world charm, modern comforts, air-conditioning, and Girraween National Park is a 12 min drive. your favourite wine on the veranda as you watch electric blankets, doonas, en-suites, most rooms The Farmhouse suits a large group as it sleeps up the sun go down. Wake up to the melodious have French doors onto the veranda. Wood to 14 people. Rose Cottage sleeps 2 people. sound of native birds. Take a walk in the bush or ireplaces in lounge and games room. Perfect for ames armhouse.com.au just relax. small groups of 4 couples or a romantic get-a-way. ames or ustred.com.au loggersrest.com.au ar nn or amesboo ing o tusnet.com.au cellar ustred.com.au admin loggersrest.com.au 2635 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382 2370 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382 33 Sugarloaf Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 25 ACCOMMODATION
oughmore ouse nrose lace s urts allandean ottage Comfortably accommodates up to 6 people, The Yurts are a modern and unique style of includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, electric accommodation and each will sleep up to 4 Comfortable house and cottage accommodation, blankets, reverse cycle air conditioning people. Located in the heart of Ballandean with conveniently located along a scenic drive throughout, TV/media room, separate lounge impressive views overlooking a vineyard. 15 between Stanthorpe and Ballandean. Relax with with ireplace, dining room with garden views, Award winning wineries within a 10 min drive and family and friends in our fully renovated, three full laundry facilities, outdoor ire pit, picnic table Girraween National Park is a 12 min drive. You can bedroom Queenslander, or take a break in our and carport for up to 3 vehicles. Nestled in a choose to stay in either Zuny (Mongolian word for self-contained one bedroom cottage. Granite quiet and peaceful position, on the edge of town. mmer) or Namar (Mongolian word for t mn). Belt vineyards on your doorstep, Girraween National Park over your back fence. ames armhouse.com.au sta atloughmore.com.au l nrose lace.com.au ames or ar nn in o sta atloughmore.com.au in o l nrose lace.com.au amesboo ing o tusnet.com.au 2 Armstrong Lane, Eukey QLD 4380 115 College Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 2635 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
oll ac ottages ossum s ollow o ers est uest Rural Retreat and Gallery and ooter s ut ouse and tudio nits Modern brick cottages – 1 x 2 bedroom and 2 x 1 bedroom – in a quiet setting of 5 acres on Possum’s Hollow and Hooter’s Hut are The Rovers Rest Guest House is 10 minutes south the Severn River. homestead style twin cabins which o er cosy, of Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt. The house comfortable accommodation sleeping up to six sleeps 6 in bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dining room Cottages are fully equipped with kitchen, TV/ people in each. Cabins are fully self-contained and lounge with ire place. The Studio Units – DVD, wood ire heating, queen bedroom and and located a short two minute walk from each each unit has its own bathroom, small kitchen linen supplied. Recreational room has gas BBQ, other for those looking for a group booking. and sleeps 2+. There is a communal area. It has lounge, table tennis table, games and laundry. reat for ki s co ples e er one reall a gas stove, 8 seater dining table and wood ire Gallery of dolls, bears, art and historical photos. place. 34m north facing under cover verandah. moll mac.com.au cobbncocabins.com.au ro ersrest.com.au boo ings moll mac.com.au ossumsandhooterscabins gmail.com boo ings ro ersrest.com.au 895 Thorndale Rd, Glen Aplin, Stanthorpe QLD 4381 216 Butler Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 20 46 Fletcher Road, Glen Aplin QLD 4381
Occasional snow means playtime
e ern di it Private and secluded in bushland on Severn River. Modern, fully equipped 2 bedroom 2 bathroom cabin with sauna. Self-contained. Experience the Severn Sins. Midweek and Summer Specials available. Also Terata House 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms renovated Queenslander with 360º views of the working farm from 4 decks. Features a wood- ired pizza oven and open plan living.
se ern di it .com.au 38 Mungall Lane, Ballandean QLD 4382
26 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 CAFES, RESTAURANTS & FOOD | WINERIES & BREWERIES
shbern arms ranite elt rewer am s arm resh Pick your own strawberries fresh from the patch estaurant ruit and eg or buy them packed daily from the cafe. Ashbern Support local growers! Farms o ers a range of yummy strawberry Celebrate the fusion of Australian lavours, treats, including their famous homemade ice local produce and craft beer. Tuck into the Specialty grocery store with locally grown farm cream and delicious fresh wa les. chef’s signature dish – The Brewer’s Platter. A fresh fruit and vegetables, herbs, local berries, romantic table for two or a large group, Granite jams, honey, cheese, bread, juices and lots more. Strawberry season is from October to May. Belt Brewery can cater for every occasion. Open Farm open Wednesdays to Sundays from Drop into Sam’s and say hi – you’ll ind fabulous daily* for lunch and dinner, this family friendly farm fresh produce and great customer service. 9am – 4:30pm. Closed on public holidays. restaurant has an attached microbrewery, bar, kids room and outdoor seating – dog friendly. see ebsite ashbern arms.com.au granitebeltbrewer .com.au sams ruitsho gmail.com 2 West Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 146 Glenlyon Drive, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 44 Middleton Road, Cottonvale QLD 4375
allangarra ailwa oireann iner asle ount useum a e With a red Five-Star James Halliday rating, utton iner Boireann Wines has been producing premium A cellar door with a di erence Open daily for breakfast and lunch, you can quality red wines for over 20 years. Hand-picked enjoy dining inside in air conditioned comfort or and crafted, our meticulous attention to detail • Just 10 mins from Stanthorpe on the Texas Rd outside, undercover on the platform then take allows us to produce remarkable red wines with • Wine tasting with the winemaker and winery a stroll through the onsite museum. Suitable exceptional character and varietal expression. tours available for group bookings and functions, wheel chair With specialties including Shiraz Viognier, • Showcasing a range of 10 varietal medal friendly, open 7 days, including Public Holidays Barbera and Sangiovese, we invite you to join us from 9am till 3pm and now fully licensed. winning red, white, sweet and dry wines for a tasting at Boireann Wines. including muscat port and StrangeBird varieties • Cellar Door Open: 10am–4pm Friday–Monday Open 9.30 4.30 Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon and P/ Hols. casle wines.com wallangarraca e gmail.com cellardoor boireannwiner .com.au gcasle hotmail.com Rockwell Street, Wallangarra QLD 4383 26 Donnellys Castle Road, The Summit QLD 4377 94 Mount Hutton Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
ranite elt rewer ust ed ines ramids oad ines • Create your own beer tasting paddle from the A family-run boutique winery specialising in red Ralph, the famous winery dog will greet you in range of 8 beers all made onsite wine. All wines are made on the premises from the car park before escorting you to the historic • Take a tour of the brewery to learn about how grapes grown on our property. Grape varieties tasting room where Warren and Sue will warmly much love goes into making every beer are Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat welcome you. The couple hand planted their and Viognier. Chances are you will ind the vines in the scenic valley which lies in the foothills • Enjoy lunch or dinner and grab a mixed carton winemaker in the cellar door when you visit. of Girraween National Park. A few years later to take away Open Friday to Monday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm or they established their winery and cellar door and • A visit to the Granite Belt is not complete by appointment (closed September). invite you to savour the handcrafted wines at without a visit to Granite Belt Brewery your leisure. Open daily 10:00am to 4:30pm. ustred.com.au ramidsroad.com.au granitebeltbrewer .com.au or or cellar ustred.com.au in o ramidsroad.com 146 Glenlyon Drive, Stanthorpe QLD 4380 2370 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382 25 Wyberba Lane, Wyberba QLD 4382
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 27 WINERIES & BREWERIES | TOURS
a ina ane ines ummit state ines m hon ill ines Welcome to a premium wine experience. Try The Romance of Wine • 2017 2018 Australian Winemaker of the Year Fiano, Viognier, Tempranillo and Graciano or • Queensland Cellar Door of the Year 2017 • 2017 Best Alternative White Wine Trophy at the superb cool climate Shiraz. Wander through • Open Late Friday/Saturday nights National Wine Show of Australia one of the region’s loveliest vineyards or relax in a leather armchair in the beautiful cellar door. • Cellar door and function venue + • 2017 QLD Winery of the Year Trophy Browse the gorgeous boutique. Or just grab a wine education and masterclasses • 2017 Best QLD Red Wine Trophy barstool and enjoy a taste of our hand-crafted, • Visit us on Facebook – @summitestatewine • 2017 Best QLD White Wine Trophy single vineyard wines. Open weekends 10am to and Instagram – summitestate 4pm from Easter until Sold Out. • 2017 Most Successful QLD Exhibitor Trophy • Open 7 days – 10am to 4pm – FREE wine tasting sa inalanewines.com.au or summitestate.com.au s m hon hill.com.au sa inalane big ond.com 61 Savina Lane (o f Back Creek Rd), Severnlea QLD 4380 291 Granite Belt Drive, Thulimbah QLD 4376 2017 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
wisted um ines iew ine his e ull ines Enjoy a leisurely wine tasting in our stylish ancerre state Wine, Dine & Recline cellar door, set in a classic 1920s Queenslander Award-winning winery set in historic homestead surrounded by lush vineyards and native forest. Brad & Stacey welcome you to experience their overlooking the Severn Valley. Hand-crafted wines Explore our crisp dry whites, deep inky reds and small batch Estate Grown View Wines – the B&B with cottage accommodation and degustation hedonistic Pink Moscato. All wines are crafted and Guesthouse accommodation overlooks the dining with home-grown produce, wine matching exclusively using hand-picked grapes from vineyard. Tasting available to in-house guests, as and entertainment on Saturday nights. our dry grown vineyard. Winner of Premier’s well as visitors by appointment. Please call to enjoy the View. Open: Friday-Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm for wine Sustainability Award. Open Saturday and Sunday tasting and sales. Group dining and functions by 10am–4pm or by appointment. appointment. twistedgum.com.au ancerre state.com.au whis e gull wines.com.au in o twistedgum.com.au sta ancerre state.com.au denice whis e gull wines.com.au 2253 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382 60 Zambelli Road, Ballandean QLD 4382 25 Turner Road, Severnlea QLD 4380
tanthor e ours ranite ighlands A unique touring style providing you with an a i ours unforgettable experience whatever the occasion, wherever the destination. We specialise in Specialising in winery/beer and food, and district private tours, and work closely with the wineries, tours on the Granite Belt o ering full day/half day breweries and food boutiques to deliver a truly and private group tours. unique package. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, Also o ering group tours from Brisbane/ contact us to create your own tour. Head over Toowoomba and other areas. to our website to discover where your next For more information visit our website/email or experience will take you. phone Granite Highlands Maxi-Tours.
stanthor etours.com.au ma itours.com.au or in o stanthor etours.com.au allan ma itours.com.au Perfect weather for picnics
28 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Town Map 2017 (2)_Layout 1 5/03/2018 10:18 AM Page 1
STANTHORPE TOWN MAP STANTHORPE TOWN MAP ACCOMMODATION 22 31 the rocks – www.31therocks.com 07 4681 2726 3 20 Briar Rose Cottage - www.briarrosecottages.com. au 0427 327 344 6 Connor House – www.connorhouse.com.au 07 3203 7170
2 15 Diamondvale Cottages - www.diamondvalecottages.com.au 07 4681 3367 4 18 Grovely House – www.grovelyhouse.com.au 07 4681 0484 21 Logger’s Rest B & B and Cottage – www.loggersrest.com.au 07 4681 2572 19 Lynrose Place – www.lynroseplace.com.au 07 4681 4676 16 Stannum Lodge Motor Inn – www.stannumlodge.com.au 07 4681 2000 5
6 FOOD 17 Ashbern Farms Strawberries & Cafe – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 4681 0124 7 7 Stanthorpe RSL Club – www.stanthorperslclub.com.au – 07 4681 2324 3 Varias Restaurant (Qld College Wine Tourism) – www.qcwt.com.au 07 4685 5050 8 9 ATTRACTIONS 17 Ashbern Farms PYO Strawberries – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 4681 012 2 Market in the Mountains – www.marketinthemountains.org 0417 760 529 4 Stanthorpe Museum – [email protected] 07 4681 1711 10 8 Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery – www.srag.org.au 07 4681 1874 11
12 17 13 14 TOUR OPERATORS 15 1520 Filippo’s Tours – www.filippostours.com.au 07 4681 3130 16 Granite Highlands Maxi Tours – www.maxitours.com.au 4681 3969 19 19 Stanthorpe Tours - www.stanthorpetours.com.au 0437 707 765
18 18 OTHER SUPPORTERS OF GRANITE BELT TOURISM Ambar Hill Wines – grape grower granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Andelas Estate – grape grower Carniel Lane Wines – grape grower 20 Gillmore Estate – grape grower Giorgio’s Mobile Chef - catering service
21 Misty River Vineyard – grape grower MJ & PS O’Reilly – grape grower Peter Bethel - grapegrower Rosemary Hill Vineyard – grape grower 22 Southern Downs Regional Tourism Stanthorpe Agricultural Society – [email protected]
29 Vinland Estate 30 REGIONALREGIONAL MAP MAP INDEX INDEX A-Z Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 Visitors’ Guide Country Wine Belt Granite ACCOMMODATION Accommodation Crk Cottages- www.accommodationcreekcottages.com.au 07 4684 1144 AlpineLodges – www.alpineodgesl .com.au 042888 7 999 Country Style Caravan Park– www.countrystylecaravanpark.com.au 07 4683 4358 Fergie’s Hill Cottage– www.graniteridgewines.omc .au07 4684 1263 Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park- www.glenlyondamtouristpark.com.au 02 6737 5266 Granite Belt Brewery& Retreat- www.granitebeltbrewery.com.au 0746 8113 70 Highland Croft Cottage- 0412 337 340 Honeysuckle Cottages– www.honeysucklecottages.com.au07 4681 1510 JamesFa rmhouse & Cottages– www.jamesfarmhouse.com.au 07 3715 6310 Just Red Wines Vineyard Cabins- www.justred.com.au07 4684 1322 Loughmore House &Cottage– www.stayz.com.au#1 95880 0419 782 625 Mallow Cottage- [email protected] 557 338 MollyMac Cottages– www.mollymac.com.au 07 3286 2338 1 Possum’s Hollow & Hooter’s Hut –www.cobbncocabins.com.au07 3892 7443 Ridgemill Escape – www.ridgemillestate.com 07 468352 11 Roversrest Guesthouse– www.roversrest.com.au 07 4683 4121 Sancerre Estate– www.sancerreestate.com.au07 4684 1139
l awc Rd Warwick Old Severn-Dipity– www.severn-dipity.com.au07 4684 1300 Sippersat Ballandean– www.ballandean.net.au 040978 8 772 Twisted Gum Vineyard Cottage– www.twistedgumco. m.au 07 4684 1282 Whisky Gully Wines Bush Cottages– www.whiskeygully.com.au 0746 83 5100
FOOD & ATTRACTIONS
Mayfair Ln Ashbern Farms PYO Strawberries & Café – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 468101 24 Barrelroom & Larder (Ballandean Estate)- www.thebarrel-room.com 0746 8412 26 TO GLENLYON TOURIST PARK Heritage Churchyard Café & Cellar Door – www.heritagewine.cos m.au 07 4685 2197 Hidden CreekWi nery Café – www.hiddencreek.com.au07 4684 1383 Granite Belt Brewery& Retreat - - www.granitebeltbreweryt.com.au 07 4681 1370 Granite Belt Christmas Farm & Chocolate Shop - www.granitebeltchrismat sfarm.com.au
Texas Rd Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder– www.jamwork.cos m.au 0746 8341 71 JesterHill Winery Restaurant & Café – www.jesterhillwinesco. m.au 0746 83 4380 Texas Rd Mason Wines Cellar Door & Café – www.masonwnesi .com.au 043953 0 535 Robert Channon Wines Singing Lake Café- www.robertchannonwines.com 0746 83 3260
Mt Hutton Rd Sam’s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Shop07 4681 1643 The Rocks Restaurant - www.honeysucklecottages.com.au 07 4681 1510 Varias Restaurant Qld College of WineTour ism- www.qcwt.com.au (07) 4685 5050 Reid Rd Wallangarra Railway Café- www.facebook.com/.../Wallangarra-Railway-Cafe 07 4684 3376 Whiskey Gully Wines Vineyard Restaurant – www.whiskeygully.com.au 0746 83 5100 L Hoey n CRAFT BREWERY Granite Belt Brewery & Retreat- www.granitebeltbrewery.com.au - 07 4681 1370 WINERIES & CELLAR DOORS Balancing Rock Wines– www.balancingrockwines.com.au 0407 127 903 Ballandean Estate Wines- www.ballandeanestate.com 07 4684 1226 Boireann Winery- www.boireannwines.com 07 4683 2194 Bungawarra Wines- www.bungawarrawines.com.au 07 4684 1128 Casley Mount Hutton Winery- www.casleywines.com427 0 099 981 Girraween Estate Wines– www.girraweenestate.com.au 0448 866 890 Golden Grove Estate- www.goldengroveestate.com.au 07 4684 1291 Granite Ridge Wines - www.graniteridgewines.com.au 07 4684 1263 Heritage Wines & Churchyard Cafe– www.heritagewines.com.au 07 4685 2197 Armstrong Rd Hidden Creek Winery & Cafe- www.hiddencreek.com.au 07 4684 1383 Jester Hill Wines- www.jesterhillwines.com 07 4683 4380 Just Red Wines- www.justred.com.au 07 4684 1322 Kominos Wines- www.kominoswines.com 07 4683 4311
Zambelli Rd Mason Wines Cellar Door & Cafe- www.masonwines.com.au 0439 530 535 Pyramids Road Wines- www.pyramidsroad.com.au 07 4684 5151 Qld College of Wine Tourism- www.qcwt.com.au 07 4685 5050 Fairbanks Ln Ravens Croft Wines- www.ravenscroftwines.com.au 07 4683 3252 Ridgemill Estate- www.ridgemillestate.com 07 4683 5211 Robert Channon Wines- www.robertchannonwines.com 07 4683 3260 Rumbalara Estate Wines- www.rumbalarawines.com.au 07 4684 1206 Savina Lane Wines- www.savinalanewines.com.au 07 4683 5258 or 0419 723 755 Sirromet Wines www.sirromet.com- 07 3206 2999 Squished Berry- www.squishedberry.com.au 0409 635 101 Summit Estate- www.summitestate.com.au 07 4683 2011 Symphony Hill Wines- www.symphonyhill.com.au 07 4684 1388 Tobin Wines- www.tobinwines.com.au 07 4684 1235
Twisted Gum Wines- www.twistedgum.com.au 07 4684 1282 X Not on map Whiskey Gully Wines- www.whiskeygullywines.com.au 07 4683 5100
X
REGIONALREGIONAL MAP MAP INDEX INDEX A-Z ACCOMMODATION Accommodation Crk Cottages- www.accommodationcreekcottages.com.au 07 4684 1144 AlpinREGIONALeLodges REGIONAL– www.alpineodgesl .cMAPom.a uMAP 0428 88 INDEX7 999 INDEX A-Z Country Style Caravan ParkAC– www.cCOountrMMOystylecaravaDATInpaONrk.com.au 07 4683 4358 Fergie’s Hill Cottage Accommodation Crk C– otwwwtage.grsan- itwweriw.accodgewinmmes.odaomc .ationcu07 reekco 4684tta 1263ges.com.au 07 4684 1144 Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park AlpineLodges – www.alpineodgesl- www.g.comlenlyond.au 0428amt88 our7is 999tpark.com.au 02 6737 5266 Granite Belt Brewery& Retreat Country Style Caravan Park– www.c- wwwountr.graynitstylebecelaravatbrewnpaery.cork.com.aum.au 07 4607 81 468313 435870 Highland Croft Cottage Fergie’s Hill Cottage– www- 04.gr12an 33iter7 idgew340 ines.omc .au07 4684 1263 Honeysuckle Cottages Glenlyon Dam Tourist Park– www- www.hon.geysulenlyondcklecoamtttageours.iscomtpark.c.au07om.au 4681 02 151 67307 5266 JamesFa rmhouse & Cottages Granite Belt Brewery& Retreat– ww- wwww.ja.grmeanitsfarmebelhoutbrewse.coerm.y.coaum.au 07 3 7107465 63108113 70 Just Red Wines Vineyard Cabins Highland Croft Cottage- 0412 33-7 ww 340w.j ustred.com.au07 4684 1322 Loughmore House &Cottage Honeysuckle Cottages– www.hon– wweysuw.stayzckleco.cottam.auges.#1 com9588.a0u07 04 41968 781 1251 620 5 Mallow Cottage JamesFa rmhouse- cot & [email protected]– wwnetw..ajaume0401 sfarm 557hou 338se.com.au 07 3715 6310 MollyMac Cottages Just Red Wines Vine–ya www.mrd Cabiollynsma- wwc.comw.jus.autr ed.07 c328om6.a 2338u07 4684 1322 1 Possum’s Hollow & Hooter’s Hut Loughmore House &Cottage– ww–ww.stayzww.cobb.com.auncoc#1abi ns95.88com0 .a04u1907 78 3892 622 74435 Ridgemill Escape Mallow Cottage- cot– [email protected] m 07 557 4683 33852 11 Roversrest Guesthouse– www.roversrest.com.au 07 4683 4121 MollyMac Cottages– www.mollymac.com.au 07 3286 2338 1 Sancerre Estate Possum’s Hollow– &ww Hooter’w.sances rrHueesttate. –www.comcobb.au0ncoc7 46abi84ns 1139.com.au07 3892 7443
l awc Rd Warwick Old Severn-Dipity Ridgemill Esca–pe www. – www.severirdgen-dipitymill.coestam.aute.co07m 460784 4683 130052 11 Sippersat Ballandean Roversrest Guesthouse– –www www.rov.ballaerndesrest.an.necot.aum.au 0409 07 7846 838 7741212 Twisted Gum Vineyard Cottage– www.twistedgumco. m.au 07 4684 1282 Sancerre Estate– www.sancerreestate.com.au07 4684 1139 Whisky Gully Wines Bush Cottages– www.whiskeygully.com.au 0746 83 5100 l awc Rd Warwick Old Severn-Dipity– www.severn-dipity.com.au07 4684 1300 Sippersat Ballandean– www.ballandean.net.au 040978 8 772 Twisted Gum Vineyard CFotOOtage–D ww &w.twist ATedgumTRAco.CTIm.au 07ON 468S4 1282 Ashbern Farms PYO Strawberries & Café – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 468101 24 Mayfair Ln Whisky Gully Wines Bush Cottages– www.whiskeygully.com.au 0746 83 5100 Barrelroom & Larder (Ballandean Estate)- www.thebarrel-room.com 0746 8412 26 TO GLENLYON TOURIST PARK Heritage Churchyard Café & Cellar Door – www.heritagewine.cos m.au 07 4685 2197 FOOD & ATTRACTIONS Hidden CreekWi nery Café – www.hiddencreek.com.au07 4684 1383 Mayfair Ln Ashbern Farms PYO Strawberries & Café – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 468101 24 Granite Belt Brewery& Retreat - - www.granitebeltbreweryt.com.au 07 4681 1370 Barrelroom & Larder (Ballandean Estate)- www.thebarrel-room.com 0746 8412 26 Granite Belt Christmas Farm & Chocolate Shop TO GLENLYON TOURIST PARK Heritage Churchyard Café & Cellar Door – www.heri- wwtawge.grwianitnee.cobes ltm.chrauis 0ma7t 468sfarm.5 2197com.au Texas Rd Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder– www.jamwork.cos m.au 0746 8341 71 Hidden CreekWi nery Café – www.hiddencreek.com.au07 4684 1383 JesterGraniteHill Be Winlt Breewry erReyst& au Rretreaant &t -C af- www.é – wwgraw.nitebjesterhileltbrewlwineseryco.t.com.aum.au 07 0746 468183 43801370 Texas Rd Mason Wines Cellar Door & Café – www.masonwnesi .com.au 043953 0 535 Granite Belt Christmas Farm & Chocolate Shop - www.granitebeltchrismat sfarm.com.au Robert Channon Wines Singing Lake Café Texas Rd Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder– ww- www.rw.jamobertworkcha.cos nnonwm.au ines.0746 com8341 077146 83 3260 Mt Hutton Rd SaJesterm’sHill Fresh Win Freuiryt &Re Vegetabstaurantle & Shop Café07 – ww 46w.81je st1643erhillwinesco. m.au 0746 83 4380 Texas Rd TMaheso Rnoc Winks Resest Cellaauranr Dt -oor ww &w .honeCafé –y suwww.cklecotmasonwtages.nesicom.co.aum.au 07 40439681 1553 100 535 VarRobiaerst Re Chanstaunonrant Win Qldes C Siollenginge go fLake Win CeafTour é- iswww.rm- wwobertw.qcchawt.nnonwcom.auines. (07)com 46 850746 508350 3260 Reid Rd Wallangarra Railway Café- www.facebook.com/.../Wallangarra-Railway-Cafe 07 4684 3376 Mt Hutton Rd Sam’s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Shop07 4681 1643 Whiskey Gully Wines Vineyard Restaurant – www.whiskeygully.com.au 0746 83 5100 L The Rocks Restaurant - www.honeysucklecottages.com.au 07 4681 1510 Hoey n Varias Restaurant Qld College of WineTour ism- www.qcwt.com.au (07) 4685 5050 Reid Rd Wallangarra Railway Café- wwCRAFTw.facebook. comBREWERY/.../Wallangarra-Railway-Cafe 07 4684 3376 Whiskey Gully Wines Vineyard Restaurant – www.whiskeygully.com.au 0746 83 5100 L Granite Belt Brewery & Retreat- www.granitebeltbrewery.com.au - 07 4681 1370 Hoey n WINERIESCRAFT & BREWERYCELLAR DOORS GraniteBalancing Belt Rock Brewery Wines– www.balancingrockwines.com.au& Retreat- www.granitebeltbrewery.com.au - 0407 127 07903 4681 1370 Ballandean Estate Wines- www.ballandeanestate.com 07 4684 1226 Boireann Winery- www.boireannwines.com WINERIES & CELLAR07 4683 2194 DOORS Bungawarra Wines Balancing Rock Wines- www.bungawarrawines.com.au– www.balancingrockwines.com.au 07 4684 0407 1128 127 903 Casley Mount Hutton Winery Ballandean Estate Wines- www.ballandeanestate.com - www.casleywines.com427 0 07 099 4684 981 1226 Girraween Estate Wines– www.girraweenestate.com.au 0448 866 890 Boireann Winery- www.boireannwines.com 07 4683 2194 Golden Grove Estate Bungawarra Wines- www.bungawarrawines.com.au- www.goldengroveestate.com.au 07 074684 4684 1128 1291 Granite Ridge Wines Casley Mount Hutton- www.graniteridgewines.com.au Winery- www.casleywines.com427 0 07 099 4684 981 1263 Heritage Wines & Churchyard Cafe Girraween Estate Wines– www.girraweenestate.com.au– www.heritagewines.com.au 0448 866 07 890 4685 2197 Armstrong Rd Hidden Creek Winery & Cafe- www.hiddencreek.com.au 07 4684 1383 Golden Grove Estate- www.goldengroveestate.com.au 07 4684 1291 JesterGranite Hill Ridge Wines Wines- www.jesterhillwines.com 07 4683 4380 - www.graniteridgewines.com.au 07 4684 1263 Just Red Wines- www.justred.com.au 07 4684 1322 Heritage Wines & Churchyard Cafe– www.heritagewines.com.au 07 4685 2197 Armstrong Rd Kominos Wines- www.kominoswines.com 07 4683 4311 Hidden Creek Winery & Cafe- www.hiddencreek.com.au 07 4684 1383 Zambelli Rd Mason Wines Cellar Door & Cafe- www.masonwines.com.au 0439 530 535 Jester Hill Wines- www.jesterhillwines.com 07 4683 4380 Pyramids Road Wines- www.pyramidsroad.com.au 07 4684 5151 Just Red Wines- www.justred.com.au 07 4684 1322 Qld College of Wine Tourism Kominos Wines- www.kominoswines.com- www.qcwt.com.au 07 4683 07 4311 4685 5050 Fairbanks Ravens Croft Wines- www.ravenscroftwines.com.au 07 4683 3252 Ln Zambelli Rd Mason Wines Cellar Door & Cafe- www.masonwines.com.au 0439 530 535 Ridgemill Estate- www.ridgemillestate.com 07 4683 5211 Pyramids Road Wines- www.pyramidsroad.com.au 07 4684 5151 Robert Channon Wines- www.robertchannonwines.com 07 4683 3260 Qld College of Wine Tourism- www.qcwt.com.au 07 4685 5050 Fairbanks Rumbalara Estate Wines- www.rumbalarawines.com.au 07 4684 1206 Ln Ravens Croft Wines- www.ravenscroftwines.com.au 07 4683 3252 Savina Lane Wines- www.savinalanewines.com.au 07 4683 5258 or 0419 723 755 Ridgemill Estate- www.ridgemillestate.com 07 4683 5211 Sirromet Wines www.sirromet.com- 07 3206 2999 Robert Channon Wines- www.robertchannonwines.com 07 4683 3260 Squished Berry- www.squishedberry.com.au 0409 635 101 Rumbalara Estate Wines- www.rumbalarawines.com.au 07 4684 1206 Summit Estate- www.summitestate.com.au 07 4683 2011 Savina Lane Wines- www.savinalanewines.com.au 07 4683 5258 or 0419 723 755 Symphony Hill Wines- www.symphonyhill.com.au 07 4684 1388 Sirromet Wines www.sirromet.com- 07 3206 2999 Tobin Wines- www.tobinwines.com.au 07 4684 1235 Squished Berry- www.squishedberry.com.au 0409 635 101 Twisted Gum Wines- www.twistedgum.com.au 07 4684 1282 Summit Estate- www.summitestate.com.au 07 4683 2011 X Whiskey Gully Wines- www.whiskeygullywines.com.au 07 4683 5100 granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Not on map Symphony Hill Wines- www.symphonyhill.com.au 07 4684 1388 Tobin Wines- www.tobinwines.com.au 07 4684 1235
Twisted Gum Wines- www.twistedgum.com.au 07 4684 1282 X Not on map Whiskey Gully Wines- www.whiskeygullywines.com.au 07 4683 5100 X
X 31 How to Escape to the Granite Belt Toowoomba BRISBANE If you’re heading south from Brisbane, it’s a scenic 230km drive. Take any highway or byway that puts you onto the Ipswich Motorway heading west, then take the Warwick exit onto the Cunningham Highway. When you reach Warwick Gold Coast Beaudesert on the Southern Downs, follow the signs towards Sydney on Warwick Killarney the New England Highway. If you’re coming from the south, just follow the New England Highway, crossing the NSW/ Queensland border into Granite Belt country at Wallangarra, Legume 20km north of Tenterfield. Lismore Byron Bay Before you leave home visit our website to plan your visit and STANTHORPE Wallangarra Ballina find out where to stay. www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Casino Tenterfield Granite Belt Wine Country @GraniteBeltWine
Distance from: Brisbane ...... 230km Toowoomba ...... 140km Gold Coast ...... 250km Sunshine Coast ...... 350km 32 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019