Granite Belt Wine Country - Visitors' Guide 2018-2019
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Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019 The New England Highway runs for more than 62kms through the heart of the Granite Belt, from Dalveen and The Summit to Stanthorpe, Glen Aplin, Ballandean and beyond. It meets the border with NSW at the historic town of Wallangarra. The Granite Belt is part of the Southern Queensland Country region. granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
Contents
4 National Park Splendour
6 150 Years of Winemaking History
8 Chests 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 Regional 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: info@granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
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
3
Cover Image: Sam Costanzo – The Eye of the Needle, Girraween National Park
Sunrise at Girraween National Park
National Park some of the animals that make our national
parks their home. This is a place to enjoy
A gentle stroll to the Granite Arch is a less
strenuous adventure.
Splendour nature at its best, especially if you love
the seasonal changes – the soft sunshine Girraween’s almost 12,000 hectares of
eucalypt forests are teeming with wildlife
and wildflowers of springtime, the cold,
Whether you seek rest and repose and rare and lovely plants. Girraween is
crisp days of winter that make those rocky
or want to be active, there is nothing an Aboriginal name for ‘place of flowers’
summits that much more reachable.
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
Girraween National Park walking tracks – from a gentle 1.4km
a yoga session in a vineyard, stargaze
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
Girraween National Park
Access to this park is via three directions –
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’. reached via Tenterfield, is Bald Rock
Not far north of Stanthorpe, reached via
The Summit village, a winding gravel road National Park and Boonoo Boonoo Falls.
If you’re a fishing fan, take a rod or line out
leads to Donnelly’s Castle, a small park Or north-east of Stanthorpe, the lovely
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
150 years of premium wines and one of the most
exciting wine regions in Australia.
reputation as one of Australia’s top
producers of alternative variety wines.
winemaking At just under 1000 metres’ elevation, the
Granite Belt is one of the highest wine
A host of cellar doors offer a personal,
unhurried and friendly wine experience.
history regions in the nation and almost 900
metres higher than Bordeaux in France
Some offer free tastings, others charge a
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: sales@goldengroveestate.com.au
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
Chests of Gold, Respected wine judge and writer Mike
Bennie, who contributes articles on wine
Tables of Trophies for most of Australia’s leading magazines,
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
one that produces some excellent cool importantly, a willingness to let the region
Australian Winemaker of the Year 2017
climate wines. speak clearly through its wines.”
At an elevation of 1000 metres above sea Here on the Granite Belt we are proud of
Mike Hayes wins Australian
level, wines grapes take longer to ripen, Winemaker of Year 2017
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,
international gold medals Created as a joint venture between
shiraz/cabernet
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
and highlights the success of emerging Whiskey Gully Wines – trophy, 2 gold
nights. It is air-conditioned and the
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
Meet the Wherever you go on the Granite Belt you
will be greeted by people who know and
able to visit all wineries any day of the
week, for the small wineries this is just not
vignerons and love good wine. People who spend their
lives seeking excellence, both in the quality
possible. The vineyards take priority and
there is much work to be done all year
winemakers of fruit produced and the quality of wines
made from that fruit.
round. Winery owners are friendly and
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
Unlike most of Australia’s wine industry, the If you have your heart set on visiting a
for three or four days, or even just at
vast majority of wineries on the Granite particular winery and they are not open
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.
Heritage
HERITAGE 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.
The Old Church Cellar Door
E: sales@heritageestate.com.au (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 2018–2019Tasting 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
Tastings in front of a log fire
of wine. Imagine how many free glasses of
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: info@robertchannonwines.com
www.robertchannonwines.com
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 11Introducing 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,
Chenin Blanc light creamy chicken & fish crème brulee
Lighter-flavoured wines match lighter-
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
Nebbiolo hearty meat dishes, beef pork, veal or chicken
Barbera pizza & antipasto
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 hello@balancingrockwines.com.au
BALANCING ROCK WINES
P 0407 127 903 E hello@balancingrockwines.com.au
221 Old Wallangarra Road, Wyberba via Ballandean QLD 4382
12 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019The 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
White wines release their full aromas
Serving Temperatures – and flavours between 10-13˚C, not chilled
stainless steel or plastic widely available that
No ice cubes please! like Champagnes – although serious
you can use to keep both red and white
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
k
weekend
stunning granite belt
open 7 days
luxury studio accommodation
must visit cellar door
only 2½ hours from brisbane,
getaway
218 donges road, severnlea
07 4683 5211
ridgemillestate.com
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 13It’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.
A Taste of the grapes were planted in the region by
the local Italian community in the
1960s. When a property boasting
“When the fruit comes into the winery
at harvest, it is just crushed, fermented
and bottled, with minimal interference,”
Granite Belt
some of those original Semillon and Adrian explains of his process.
Shiraz vines hit the market in 2000,
Adrian knew As a result,
you won’t see
in a glass...
it was time
“Our wines express
to move from any blends at
his profes- Tobin Wines,
with each
their origins in the
sional life in
Brisbane to grape vari-
The Granite Belt is Queensland’s home of wine, but who a life among etal given the
are the people behind the vintages and what does it take to the vines on
the Granite
rugged & majestic spotlight to
reveal its own
produce a fine drop in one of Australia’s highest wine re- unique fla-
gions? Meet the man behind award-winning Tobin Wines.
Belt.
When he ar- landscape of the vour. It is this
characteristic
Granite Belt”
rived, he dis- that has led
covered those 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 his grandchildren, being described as
decided to follow his dream of estab-
his work cut out for him, Adrian em- “the best of the best”.
It’s not about making wine, it’s about lishing a vineyard.
barked on a strict planting program.
growing it. That’s the philosophy Bal- “I’ve had a life-long love affair with His wines have won multiple awards,
Tobin Wines now boasts Shiraz, Cab-
landean vineyard owner Adrian Tobin wine,” he conceded “and spent my life and yet Adrian remains humble about
ernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Tempranil-
lives by. visiting wineries and reading and learn- what he has achieved.
lo, Semillon, Verdelho, Chardonnay,
“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
vineyard,” he said. in lifting the profile of Queensland wine Bringing to Life Tobin Wines 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.”
which shine through his wines. It also little valley of Ballandean, less than 20 mantra of Tobin Wines. This determi-
Tobin’s Wines is located at 34 Ricca Rd,
means they perfectly reflect a sense of kilometres south west of Stanthorpe, was nation to produce only the very best
Ballandean. The cellar door is open for
place, evoking Queensland’s Granite the place to establish a vineyard.” sees Adrian and his wife Fran clock
tastings every Friday – Monday from
Belt in a glass. 100-hour weeks, tending to the vines
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
when grapes turn red (veraison)
either sprinkler systems or huge anti-frost
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
it is hailstorms that become a vineyard autumn as pruning of the vines is usually
Visitors to the region in summer may also
owner’s worst enemy. Every year vineyards left until late winter before the sap
notice black or white netting in vineyards,
at one end of the Granite Belt or the other, starts rising again in spring. At that time
either over each individual row, or multiple
will suffer hail damage to their fruit. Some vignerons have to be fresh and ready to
rows. This is to protect the fruit from huge
years whole crops can be lost and nothing face another year of challenges.
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 15Getting 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 the spittoons provided, otherwise your
Note the sensation of taste
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 2018–2019Wineries 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
Take a Tour Casley Mount Hutton Winery
Ridgemill Estate
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 Open Mon, Tues, Fri 11-4pm;
Granite Belt tour operators are not
Open Sat-Sun & Pub Hols 10-5pm Sat-Sun 10-5pm
only professional, they are determined
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 Savina Lane Wines
They offer a wide range of possibilities,
Open 7 days 9-5pm Open Sat-Sun 10-4pm from Easter
whether you just want a get-together
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
Jester Hill Wines Check website for other times
afternoon tour if that’s all the time you
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.
Jester Hill Wines Est 1993 – not ‘jester’ notha winery
Estate
Grown
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 the perfect wedding/event venue. Family
Friendly
Tranquil
Setting
jesterhillwines.com.au info@jesterhillwines.com.au
292 Mt Stirling Rd, Glen Aplin QLD 4381 (07) 4683 4380
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 17Granite Belt eateries offer fresh, local produce
Tastes of the Quite a few of our eateries are located
within vineyards, so enjoying a glass of
focuses on seasonal produce sourced
from local producers. The purpose-
Granite Belt
award-winning Granite Belt wine with lunch designed College also has an impressive
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 The Barrelroom and Larder at
climate.
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 2018–2019Mason Wines Cellar Door Café serves all
Fruit box
day platters and lunch in a rustic setting
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
• L
ook for the signs
Café offers a lunch menu in a serene
‘Sam’s Fruit’
setting overlooking a wide expanse of
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.
Di Lunc
nne h
rF 7d
ri & ays
Sa
t
(07) 4685 5050 www.qcwt.com.au
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au 19Jamworks 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
passionate people are converting our Sunday each month.
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
as Jamworks, or at our Market in the a fusion of Korean and Japanese cuisine in
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.filippostours.com.au
p: 07 4681 3130 m: 0409 877 973 e: tours@filippostours.com.au
20 Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2018–2019RECOMMENDED (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 21Stanthorpe Art Gallery
Arts & Heritage The railway arrived in 1881 bringing an
influx of German settlers.
The Somme. Stanthorpe is still a place
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 2018–2019You can also read
