Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
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
Welcome Granite Belt Wine Country The Granite Belt, which forms part of the Southern Queensland Country region, is situated on the northern edge of the great New England Tableland, right on the border between Queensland and NSW. At 1000 metres above sea level, the air here is intoxicating – sparkling, fresh – incredibly clean. Here 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. Or indulge in a luxury B&B, hide away in a secluded private villa, cottage or cabin or stay in town in a friendly motel or apartment. Granite Belt Wine Country hosts work hard to make your stay in our region unforgettable. It’s also an outstanding 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. At important shows throughout Australia, Granite Belt wineries are winning trophies and gold medals. Visit a host of friendly cellar doors and chat to the people who grow the grapes and make the wine. Try some superb alternative varieties, or enjoy your favourite mainstream wines. A craft brewery offers hand-made beers. Come for the cool summer nights or the apple blossoms of springtime. Come for the reds and golds of autumn trees and vineyards, or the warm log-fires on crisp winter days, after glistening morning frosts or occasional snow. Come whenever you wish, the Granite Belt is always beautiful. Always welcoming.
Girraween National Park. Photo: Zac Robinson Cover and Back Page Images: Sam Costanzo – Granite Belt vineyards
2
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
Contents 4
National Park Splendour
6 More than 150 years of Winemaking History 8 Granite Belt Wineries make their mark 14
Tastes of the Granite Belt
16
Winery Dineries
18
Arts & Heritage
20
Special Events
21 Business Directory Accommodation; Cafes, Restaurants & Attractions; Wineries, Brewery & Tours 25
Stanthorpe Town Map
26 Granite Belt Wine Country Regional Map
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). Disabled parking and access. 28 Leslie Parade, Stanthorpe Open daily 9am – 4pm For more information: P: 07 4681 2057 E: info@granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
QUEENSLAND GRANITE BELT WINE COUNTRY
BRISBANE
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
3
Mt Norman, Girraween National Park
National Park Splendour Whether you seek rest and repose or want to be active, there is nothing quite like time spent out-of-doors in our extraordinary environment – it’s ancient, beautiful and bountiful. Rejuvenate your body, mind and soul with a yoga session in a vineyard, stargaze under stunning night skies, or sit beside a rocky cascade to listen to the sound of rushing water and watch the birds flit amongst the trees. You may even see
some of the animals that make our national parks their home. This is a place to enjoy nature at its best, especially if you love the seasonal changes – the soft sunshine and wildflowers of springtime, the cold, crisp days of winter that make those rocky summits that much more reachable. Noticeably absent is that high humidity that often makes bushwalking in summer in lower climes, sticky and uncomfortable.
Girraween National Park Girraween National Park is renowned for its massive 200-million-year-old Triassic granite boulders. Climb the Pyramid, Castle
Rock or take the hike to Mount Norman. A gentle stroll to the Granite Arch is a less strenuous adventure. Girraween’s almost 12,000 hectares of eucalypt forests are teeming with wildlife and rare and lovely plants. Girraween is an Aboriginal name for ‘place of flowers’ and in spring and summer it really does live up to its name. At Girraween there are excellent facilities for camping and picnicking and 17km of well-defined walking tracks – from a gentle 1.4km ramble to more than 10km hikes. The summit tracks have steep slopes. The winding 9km bitumen road to 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
On the Pyramid, Girraween National Park
4
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
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 west of the New England Highway. Over
millennia, the Severn River has cleaved 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. 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 Nundubbermere Road to Nundubbermere Falls and east from Glenlyon Dam Road to the Broadwater camping area.
Closer to Stanthorpe Not far north of Stanthorpe, reached via The Summit village, a winding gravel road leads to Donnelly’s Castle, a small park and picnic area where huge caves have been formed from house-sized granite boulders. Walking tracks lead over, under and around the massive boulders.
The Granite Arch Girraween National Park
In a small reserve off Jardine Street right in the heart of Stanthorpe township, is a group of huge granite boulders that just beg to be explored. A pleasant walking track leads around the top of the small hillside. Locals call the formations ‘Sentimental Rocks’. If you’re a fishing fan, take a rod or line out to Storm King Dam, which is stocked with Golden Perch, Murray Cod, Silver Perch and many other fish species. At Storm King you can sail, kayak, water-ski or swim and there is a boat ramp, picnic area with
electric BBQ and a playground. (Fishing and Power-Boat Permits are required).
Further afield To the east, just over the NSW border, reached via Tenterfield, is Bald Rock National Park and Boonoo Boonoo Falls. Or north-east of Stanthorpe, the lovely Queen Mary Falls near Killarney. About 90km west is the huge Glenlyon Dam, also a haven for fishing enthusiasts as it is well stocked with several excellent fish species.
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
5
A small Granite monster raises its head in a Ballandean vineyard
More than 150 years of winemaking history
is now recognised as a small but unique producer of premium wines and one of the most exciting wine regions in Australia.
Wine grapes were first planted on the Granite Belt in the 1860s, by the local Catholic parish priest, Father Jerome Davadi. Later many Italian families settled in the region and grew vines to make wine for their own consumption.
At just under 1000 metres’ elevation, the Granite Belt is one of the highest wine regions in this country and almost 900 metres higher than Bordeaux in France or the Napa Valley in the USA. The unique terroir with its longer growing season and deep granitic gravels, combined with the innovative approach of the region’s winemakers and vignerons, produces wines of elegance and complexity. Cool climate wines as individual as a fingerprint.
The children of those first pioneers studied at home and overseas, bringing with them a new enthusiasm for lesser-known grape varieties. Over the past decade Granite Belt wineries have made their mark at national and interstate wine shows and the region
The last few years have seen a number of emerging varieties grown with great success on the Granite Belt which is officially recognised as a wine-producing region under its own GI (Geographical Indicator). The region has a growing
6
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
reputation as one of Australia’s top producers of alternative variety wines. A host of cellar doors offer a personal, unhurried and friendly wine experience. The vast majority offer free tastings, and while making a purchase isn’t obligatory, if you have enjoyed the wines, it is considered a courtesy. You can taste mainstream varieties such as cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, verdelho and pinot gris – or discover the StrangeBirds – luscious alternative varieties. Many are old European varieties that delight the senses with new and exciting aromas and flavours. And for those who enjoy a great craft beer or cider, a premium craft brewery has some excellent brews. The Brass Monkey Brewhouse is gaining a reputation for the quality of its hand-made beers.
A tale of two families The region’s reputation for providing visitors with a friendly, personal wine experience has been built on the efforts of many passionate people. Two families stand out. The Puglisi family of Ballandean Estate Wines, who were the first to establish a cellar door on the Granite Belt in 1970, and the Costanzo family, who established Golden Grove Estate winery just a few hundred metres away in the late 1980s. The Puglisi family tradition of winemaking dates back to 1930 when Salvatore Cardillo, an Italian immigrant, brought his family to the region and planted table grapes on his farm. He made wine from this fruit, which he sold locally. He passed the baton to his son-in-law, Alfio Puglisi, who in turn, passed it to son Angelo and his wife, Mary. The couple saw the potential for a new industry in the area and decided to make wine commercially, replanting their vineyard with wine grapes. Ballandean Estate Wines is now one of the region’s leading wineries, producing high quality The Puglisi Family of Ballandean Estate Wines
wine grapes from which their winemaker, Dylan Rhymer, makes many outstanding and award-winning wines. Now the fourth generation, Mary and Angelo’s daughters, Leeanne Gangemi and Robyn Henderson, have taken on the management role. The girls grew up working in the business. Another Sicilian immigrant, Salvatore Patti, grandfather of current Golden Grove owner Sam Costanzo, also made wine from his surplus table grapes. His daughter Nita and husband Mario Costanzo – also from Italy, continued this practice, selling their wines privately. Their second son, Sam, together with wife Grace, purchased the family property in the mid 1980s, gradually replacing table grapes with wine grapes and converting the farm to a fullscale winery. Now their sons Raymond and Jason have taken up the reins. Raymond studied winemaking at university, graduating with a B. App Science, then worked in a number of important wine regions, including Washington State in the USA, before returning home and taking over as winemaker. Raymond has taken Golden Grove Estate’s wines to a new level.
Jason became a qualified chef and caters for functions at Golden Grove as well as helping in the vineyard. There are now more than 30 cellar doors open to Granite Belt visitors. Many are relative newcomers who have seen the potential offered by the granitic soils and dry, cooler climate for growing quality wine grapes. They all make their own special contribution to the region’s growing credibility and reputation for quality wines.
Wine Experiences & Education A number of wineries offer private tasting rooms for groups, vineyard tours and wine master-classes and the Queensland College of Wine & Tourism has Winemaker for a Weekend courses. Find out more on our website or ask at our Visitor Information Centre on Quart Pot Creek. www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
The Costanzo Family of Golden Grove Estate
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
7
Granite Belt wineries make their mark The number of gold medals and trophies for Best Wines of Show at national and interstate wine shows, has finally given the region’s wines the reputation they deserve. Granite Belt wines have gone from being a curiosity many years ago, to now taking their place among the respected wine regions of Australia. It is a small region, but one that produces some excellent cool climate wines. This is a region where owner-operated wineries are still making single vineyard, hand-crafted wines from hand-picked fruit and where visitors are still able to chat with the vignerons and winemakers when they visit cellar doors. In 2016, Granite Belt wines won numerous Champion and Best of Show trophies and a barrel-load of gold and silver medals at state, national and interstate wine shows such as the Mediterranean Wine Challenge, the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show, The Australian Small Winemakers’ Show, The RNA Royal Queensland Wine Show, Queensland Wine Awards, Winestate Magazine and many others.
Few regions in Australia manage to excel at so many varieties and styles, and few regions in Australia have a culture of innovation, and, importantly, a willingness to let the region speak clearly through its wines.’
*While Sirromet’s cellar door is not found on the Granite Belt (visit their cellar door in Brisbane), their beautiful vineyards may be seen around Ballandean. They are great supporters of the region’s wine industry.
Here on the Granite Belt we are proud of our wines and the people behind them. Not all Granite Belt wineries enter wine shows or submit their wines for assessment by wine writers, but those who do, provide gold-standard proof that our wines can compete with the best other regions have to offer.
The Queensland College of Wine & Tourism
A host of four & five-star wineries The most recent James Halliday Wine Companion awarded the prestigious five red stars to two of our leading Granite Belt wineries (Boireann and Golden Grove), 4.5 stars to three more (Sirromet*, Heritage and Symphony Hill), and 4 stars to nine others (Tobins, Ridgemill, Savina Lane, Ravenscroft, Robert Channon, Just Red, Jester Hill, Twisted Gum and Ballandean Estate Wines). This is a real achievement at national level and says a great deal about the consistently high quality of the wines produced in this region.
Respected wine judge and writer Mike Bennie, who contributes articles on wine for most of Australia’s leading magazines, and is also Editor-At-Large and contributor to The Wine Front, a major online wine commentary website, visited the region for the first time early in 2017 and made the following observations: ‘Granite Belt has to be one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions. Indeed, the scope of wines possible from the region is startling, and the overall sense of quality, very high.
8
Ballandean Estate Wine Barrels
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
Created as a joint venture between the Queensland Government and the University of Southern Queensland, the Queensland College of Wine Tourism is an industry training establishment dedicated to raising quality and service standards in the food and wine tourism sector. The Wine College provides a real-world industry training context for hospitality, tourism, commercial cooking and wine industry operations students. The College also conducts and hosts wine and viticulture workshops that draw industry professionals from across southern Queensland and northern NSW. Varias Restaurant, at the College is open every day for lunch and Friday and Saturday nights for dinner. It also serves Sunday Breakfast.
Wineries to visit See map on pages 26-27 for the location of these wineries or pick up a Wine Trail Map at the Visitor Information Centre in Stanthorpe. Balancing Rock Open Fri-Mon 10-4pm, 7 days School & Pub Hols Ballandean Estate Wines Open 7 days 9-5pm Boireann Winery Open Fri-Mon 10-4pm Bungawarra Wines Open 7 days 10-4pm Casley Mount Hutton Winery Open Fri-Mon 9.30-4.30pm Girraween Estate Open Sat-Sun & Pub Hols 10-5pm
Take a Tour Let someone else do the driving on an escorted cellar door or brewery tour. Professional tour operators offer a choice of luxury 4WD or mini-coach tours. Take a complete day or full weekend tour with lunch included, or just enjoy a morning or afternoon tour if that’s all the time you have.
Recommended: Filippo’s Tours www.filippostours.com.au Granite Highlands Maxi-Tours www.maxitours.com.au
Pyramids Road Wines Open 7 days 10-4.30pm Qld College of Wine Tourism (Banca Ridge) Open 7 days 9-4pm Ridgemill Estate Open Fri, Sat, Mon 10-5pm Sun 10-3pm Robert Channon Wines Open Mon, Tues, Fri 11-4pm; Sat-Sun 10-5pm Robinsons Family Vineyard Open Sat-Sun 12-5pm
Golden Grove Estate Open 7 days 10-4pm
Rumbalara Estate Wines Open 7 days 10-5pm
Granite Ridge Wines Open 7 days 9-5pm
Savina Lane Wines Open Sat-Sun 10-4pm from June until Sold Out
Heritage Estate Wines & Churchyard Café Open Mon-Fri 10-4pm; Sat-Sun 9-5pm Hidden Creek Winery Open Mon & Fri 11-3pm; Sat-Sun 10-4pm Jester Hill Wines Open 7 days 10-5pm Just Red Wines Open Fri-Mon 10-5pm Closed September
Masons Cellar Door, Café & Deli Wine Discovery Tours Open Fri-Mon 10-5pm www.winediscoverytours.com.au Savina lane advert_Layout 1 9/04/2017 12:11 PM Page 1
Summit Estate Open 7 days 10-4pm Symphony Hill Wines Open 7 days 10-4pm Tobin Wines Open 7 days 10-5pm Twisted Gum Wines Open Sat-Sun & Pub Hols 10-4pm Whiskey Gully Wines Open Fri-Tues 10-5pm
Wines that delight the palate & inspire the imagination
OPEN WEEKENDS 10-4PM FROM JUNE UNTIL SOLD OUT - 61 SAVINA LANE SEVERNLEA PH: 4683 5258
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
9
Meet the Maker There isn’t space here for everyone who contributes to the success of Granite Belt wines, but we’d like to introduce a few of the warm-hearted, generous people whom you may meet on your visit to cellar doors throughout the region. Grant Casley – Winemaker, Casley Mount Hutton Grant Casley is the winemaker at Casley Mount Hutton Winery. But he is also a professional chemical engineer with a background in mining before his interest in wine saw him develop a 9-hectare vineyard from a bare piece of ground. Later came the winery and cellar door with its pleasant deck. Casley Mount Hutton has won numerous awards for its wines at shows throughout the region and further afield.
Andy Williams – Winemaker, Hidden Creek Winery Andy Williams is a dedicated and professional winemaker, passionate about the Granite Belt wine region and its wines. He holds a bachelor degree in Wine Science from Charles Sturt University, and WSET Advanced Level 3. Andy has widespread winemaking experience gained by working vintages in McLaren Vale (S.A.), South Burnett (Q), and Marlborough NZ.
Ray Costanzo – Winemaker, Golden Grove Estate Born and bred at Golden Grove Estate with winemaking in his blood, Raymond Costanzo knew at 15 what he wanted for a career. Working interstate and overseas for two years, he graduated in 2002 from Charles Sturt University and announced his desire to come home. Thus, he became the third generation winemaker in the family business. With passion and expertise, he has risen to be recognised as a pacesetter and advocate of the industry.
Steve Messiter – Winemaker, Girraween Estate Steve loves making wine. After a career in the chemical and mining industry, Steve completed a Masters degree in Viticulture and Wine Technology at the University of Melbourne. Soon after, he and wife Lisa purchased a picturesque vineyard in the southern part of the Granite Belt and built a small onsite winery. A visit to their winery is an exciting wine tasting experience with sparkling wines made from each of their grape varieties alongside an award-winning list of still wines. Peter McGlashan – Winemaker, Ridgemill Estate Peter McGlashan is one of those winemakers who don’t take themselves too seriously. A ready smile and a relaxed, easy manner has stood him in good stead over his 19 years in the wine industry on the Granite Belt. With a background in hospitality, he has an undeniable passion for the success of the region and was a founder, along with Jim Barnes, formerly of Hidden Creek, of the ‘StrangeBird’ Alternative Wine Trail. His wines have won numerous gold medals and in 2015 his chardonnay was awarded the National Champion White Wine at the Australian Small Winemakers’ Show.
10
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
Paola Cabezas – Winemaker, Robert Channon Wines Paola Cabezas is the winemaker at Robert Channon Wines. Argentinian born and Spanish trained, Paola has worked in Argentina, Spain, France and here in the Granite Belt where she has already made 15 trophy-winning wines. She brings her own style to the Robert Channon verdelho and chardonnay and the reds that are her special passion.
John Handy – Winemaker, Heritage Estate Wines John has been the winemaker and viticulturist at Heritage Estate Wines for 12 years. He produces highly aromatic whites and richly veined reds from the estate’s two vineyards. His approach to winemaking begins with growing high quality grapes and then guiding them with expertise and passion through the winemaking process. Numerous gold silver and bronze medals and high profile trophies reflect the quality of Heritage Estate wines.
Warren Smith – Winemaker, Pyramids Road Warren, together with wife Sue, both former teachers, greet visitors like old friends in their country winery tucked away at the southern end of the Granite Belt Wine Trail near Girraween National Park. Warren is a qualified wine judge and a visit to the winery is a learning experience as well as a delightfully sensory one as you try some of the couple’s wines and listen to Warren’s words of wisdom. Warren’s wines have impressed judges at many wine shows over the past few years winning gold, silver and bronze.
Mike Hayes – Winemaker, Symphony Hill Wines 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, a Churchill Fellowship and is an expert on alternative wine varieties. With Mike at the helm, Symphony Hill Wines has won countless trophies and gold medals. Mike also makes Savina Lane Wines’ trophy-winning and gold medal wines. Mick Bourke – Winemaker, Jester Hill Wines Mick is now far removed from his career as a professional in the health industry. His thirst for knowledge and passion for making great wine has taken over from his former life and if he is not in his winery or the vines, you may find him offering tastings to visitors at Jester Hill Wines. Mick’s attention to detail, with support from Stephen Oliver, Consultant Winemaker, together produced Winestate’s Runner Up Shiraz of the Year 2014 amongst numerous other awards including gold at the Australian Small Winemakers’ Show.
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
11
What to serve with StrangeBird White Wines Chenin Blanc light creamy chicken & fish | Fiano seafood, poultry, pork, veal or sushi Frontignac spicy dishes, cheese & fruit platters | Gewurztraminer Indian & Thai dishes Marsanne pork, veal or lobster in cream sauce | Savagnin seafood, chicken, pork Sylvaner (sweeter styles) blue cheese, crème brulee Verdelho seafood & light meats | Vermentino strongly flavoured seafood dishes Viognier soft cheeses, creamy chicken, rich seafood, pork
The StrangeBirds
total bearing vines in Australia as defined by Wine Australia.
Beyond chardonnay. Beyond Shiraz (although both do brilliantly on the Granite Belt), there are our StrangeBirds. Our alternative varieties, also known as emerging varieties. 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.
To be called an alternative, a variety must represent not more than 1% of the
Here are some of the varieties you’ll discover in our StrangeBird wineries. Ask for your copy of the StrangeBird Alternative Wine Trail Map, which will give you more information about them and tell you where you can taste them.
HERITAGE ESTATE WINES Heritage 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.
07 4685 2197 E: sales@heritageestate.com.au www.heritageestate.com.au 747 Granite Belt Drive Cottonvale OR Crossroads at Thulimbah
12
We now have two cellar doors on the Granite Belt - both are open 7 days a week 10am-4pm weekdays and 9am-5pm weekends. The Old Church Cellar Door (New England Highway, Thulimbah, 12km north of Stanthorpe). Set amongst beautiful native gardens. Taste all our wines and liqueurs or enjoy Paddy’s home cooked country food. The Winery Cellar Door (747 Granite Belt Drive, Cottonvale). A room you will never forget with its warehouse atmosphere, antiques, log fires and our full range of wine and liqueurs - it is wine tasting in style.
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
StrangeBird wines are available for tasting at more than 24 cellar doors on the Granite Belt.
Perfect marriages Lighter flavoured wines match lighter flavoured foods and full flavoured wines are best with full flavoured dishes. There’s a Granite Belt StrangeBird wine variety that matches perfectly with your favourite dish. Here are a few recommendations for the perfect marriage of food and some of our alternative variety wines.
What to serve with StrangeBird Red Wines Barbera pizza & antipasto | Cabernet Franc ragout of lamb, grilled chicken or salmon, sushi Durif game or red meat dishes | Graciano red meats, Mediterranean dishes, venison, tajines Jacquez rich red meats, chocolates & bold cheeses | Malbec grilled game, red meats & pasta Mourvedre game meat & duck dishes | Nebbiolo hearty meat dishes, beef casseroles & salami Nero d’Avola rich red meats, spicy casseroles & salami | Petit Verdot lamb shanks & beef casseroles Pinotage red meats, duck & venison | Sangiovese pizza margarita, Italian-style pork, veal or chicken Saperavi rich meat dishes | Tannat grilled red meats | Tempranillo tapas, cured ham, herbed meat, smoked sausages
Serving Temperatures – No ice cubes please! Serving wine at room temperature doesn’t mean that of a Queensland summer’s day when inside your home can be up or more than 30˚C. In fact you might need to chill your red wines! The practice of serving red wine at room temperature came from Europe where home cellar and room temperatures are much lower. Many wine critics have written that Australians drink their white wines too cold and their reds far too hot.
White wines release their full aromas and flavours between 10-13˚C, not chilled like Champagnes – although serious Champagne aficionados would never drink their Krug straight from the refrigerator. They would also recommend you serve your bubbly around 8-10˚C, even up to 13˚C. Reds should be enjoyed at between 18-20˚C. Ten or twenty minutes in the refrigerator should do the trick in a Queensland summer. There are several types of wine thermometer on the market and the
use of one will add to your enjoyment of the wine as you will know it will be served ‘just right’. And please never add ice cubes to your wine. There are small cubes or ‘pearls’ in stainless steel or plastic available that can be kept in the freezer until required. If it’s a very hot day, just pop one or two into your glass and your wine will stay at the perfect temperature without being diluted with water, thus spoiling all the hard work of the people who went to so much trouble to make it for you.
Winery Cellar Door Accommodation Open Friday - Monday 218 Donges Road, Severnlea (5km from Stanthorpe)
Handcrafted, award-winning boutique wines of the granite belt Contemporary, spacious studio accommodation
(07) 4683 5211 ridgemillestate.com James Halliday Australian Wine Companion
Ridgemill Estate Rated by James Halliday in Wine Companion 2017 edition
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
13
Jamworks Gourmet Foods Cafe & Larder
Tastes of the Granite Belt Long before the Granite Belt gained a reputation as Queensland’s premier wine region, a multi-million dollar horticultural and agricultural industry flourished – growing apples, peaches, plums, apricots, cherries and dozens of row crops such as tomatoes, capsicums and hand-picked beans, all of which are still grown here with great success. The Granite Belt is now the nation’s largest producer of apples and supplies the vast majority of summer salad vegetables, such as tomatoes and lettuces, to Australian consumers.
– from preserves, jams and chutneys sold at purpose-built boutiques such as Jamworks, or at our fortnightly Market in the Mountains. There are producers of specialty oils and vinegars, organic lamb and venison which is widely available on local menus. This is the home of Australian Vinegar, now exporting superb gourmet vinegars made on the Granite Belt to numerous countries around the world as well as interstate. Look out for their products sold locally too.
The menu is fresh, diverse & delicious
Whether you’re enjoying breakfast in one of our excellent bed & breakfasts, lunching or dining in one of our Tourism Awardwinning restaurants or eateries or even just enjoying a sandwich in a café, it’s likely you’ll be served fresh local produce.
In town you’ll find the recently renovated and refurbished RSL Club with its appealing new dining area and friendly welcome.
14
Simple home-made lunches and snacks that pair well with the award-winning craft beers are served at The Brass Monkey Brewhouse. Don’t miss the Stout Beef Burger! The Rocks Restaurant at Honeysuckle Cottages off the highway near town, offers a fusion of Korean and Japanese cuisine in a lovely setting.
Steeped in European culture with produce as diverse as its seasons, the Granite Belt is a food enthusiast’s delight from the paddock to the pantry to the plate.
Vast fields of strawberries were planted in recent years to supply this luscious berry from October to May, when growers in other regions are unable to grow them because it is too hot. A combination of 1000 metres’ elevation, low humidity and granitic soils enables our local producers to supply fruit and vegetables of a quality unparalleled in Australia.
In home kitchens, restaurants and successful commercial enterprises – passionate people are converting our local produce into gourmet delights
to May. Pick your own fresh strawberries or buy a punnet or two of their premium grade fruit.
We have such a diverse and delicious range of eateries on the Granite Belt you will have no trouble finding the perfect place to enjoy a meal or snack. From fine dining to simple nibbles or sweet delights. Here are just a few to whet your appetite:
Don’t miss the incredible chocolatedipped strawberries on sticks, strawberry milkshakes and other delightful offerings at Ashbern Farms Café (the former Strawberry Fields), off the highway on West Road, just out of town. Open October
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
Ashbern Farms’ choc-dipped strawberries
There is a new star attraction at Glen Aplin – Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder, with a superb selection of housemade jams, pastes, sauces and condiments. The Devonshire teas are becoming legendary, the lunches are always delicious and the menu changes regularly. Kids will love the spectacular milkshakes.
Top Tips • L ook for the signs ‘Sam’s Fruit’ on the highway near Thulimbah if you want to stock up on the freshest, justpicked local fruit and vegetables. Turn at Middleton Road.
Just inside the Queensland border with NSW, the Wallangarra Railway Café & Museum offers a taste of history and heritage with home-style breakfast and lunch, home-made cakes and great coffee every day. Markets on the platform first Sunday each month.
• T he Go Vita store in town offers organic local produce too.
Blue Pot Pantry at Claudia’s Restaurant caters to visiting tour groups and functions but bookings are essential, well ahead.
Fruit box
Pick you own strawberries at Ashbern Farms
CAFE & LARDER
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
15
Whiskey Gully Winery & Restaurant
Winery Dineries Combine your wine tasting with lunch and a vineyard view at one of our friendly wineries. Several are open every day and one or two open for dinner, but it is best to phone first to check. The Barrelroom and Larder at Ballandean Estate Wines is overlooked by an array of magnificent old barrels. The cuisine is modern Australian, prepared from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients by two expert chefs. A seven-course degustation menu with matching wines can also be enjoyed. 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.
16
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 views from the terrace. Wine tastings are available every day. Mason Wines Cellar Door Café serves all 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. Robert Channon Wines’ Singing Lake Café offers a lunch menu in a serene
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
setting overlooking a wide expanse of water. An ideal spot for a celebration. There are monthly concerts at the winery’s Swigmore Hall. Phone 07 4683 3260. Varias Restaurant at Queensland College of Wine Tourism aims for excellence with its contemporary Australian menu that focuses on seasonal produce sourced from local producers. The purpose-designed college also has an impressive tasting room and cellar door. Enjoy an exquisite lunch or dinner at Whiskey Gully Wines’ restaurant in the grand old historic Beverley Homestead. The imaginative six-course Saturday night degustation menu is a true gourmet experience. Diners are often entertained by the talented host, on one of his many guitars.
Varias Restaurant
Recommended (see maps on back pages for location) Ashbern Farms Café (formerly Strawberry Fields) Open Wed-Sun 9-4.30pm Oct to May
Mason Wines Cellar Door Café Open Fri-Mon 10-5pm; Lunch 11.30-2.30 All Day platters
The Barrelroom at Ballandean Estate Wines Open Thurs-Mon 11-10pm
The Rocks Restaurant at Honeysuckle Cottages Open 7 days 5-9pm
Blue Pot Pantry Open by appointment only 0424 491 829
Robert Channon Wines’ Singing Lake Café Open Fri-Tues 11-3pm
Brass Monkey Brewhouse Thurs-Mon 10-6pm Heritage Wines Churchyard Café Open Mon-Fri 10-4pm; Sat-Sun 9-5
The Barrelroom and Larder
Stanthorpe RSL Club Open 7 days lunch 12-2pm & dinner 5.30-8pm
Hidden Creek Winery Café Open Mon & Fri 12-2pm; Sat-Sun 12-2.30pm
Varias Restaurant Open 7 days, 9-4pm; dinner Fri-Sat from 6pm; Sun breakfast from 8am
Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder Open Fri-Tues 9.30-4.30pm; 7 days school hols
Wallangarra Railway Café Open 7 days 9-3pm for breakfast and lunch
Jester Hill Wines Café Open Thurs-Sun 11-2.30pm for lunch; 7 days for coffee & cake
Whiskey Gully Wines Please call 07 4683 5100 to check opening hours.
Mallow Lamb
Di Lunc nne h rF 7d ri & ays Sa t
(07) 4685 5050
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
17
Stanthorpe Museum is housed in the 1914 old Shire Council Chambers
Arts & Heritage Long before explorer Allan Cunningham came this way in 1827, the region was a heartland of the Kambu Wal people as their summer hunting grounds. By 1844 four squatters had taken up a vast area of the Granite Belt. The Crown Land Act of 1868 led to an influx of selectors as well as enabling shepherds and other farm labourers to acquire land of their own. The large holdings began to shrink. The 1870s discovery of tin at Quart 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
18
production a familiar pastime and the notion caught on in the area. There were plenty of Italian settlers and wine was made for home enjoyment. The railway arrived in 1881 bringing an influx of German settlers. The cool, dry climate was valued as an aid to health from the early nineteenth century especially for those suffering from tuberculosis or chest conditions. Following the First World War, Stanthorpe was a major resettlement area for soldiers recovering from mustard gas exposure. Many of these Soldier Settlers took up the land leased to them in the areas around Stanthorpe which now bear the names of WW1 battlefields, such as Pozieres, Messines, Fleurbaix, Amiens, Passchendale and The Somme. Stanthorpe is still a place that welcomes newcomers. A drive or walk around Stanthorpe will reveal some wonderful vintage Queenslander-style houses, but the town is dominated by its beautiful old post office, which is still in use. Stanthorpe Post Office was built of local granite and brick in 1901. It is a good example of Edwardian Classical design with arched windows and an ornamental ceiling, and was the first in Australia to be built after Federation, however its magnificent English-made clock, installed in 1903, bears the British Coat of Arms.
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
Aloomba Lavender Established in 1998, the lavender farm is on a 4000 acre cattle property at Liston, a short and pretty drive from Stanthorpe. The gift shop is stocked with lavenderbased products unique to and made on the property. There are soaps and lavender cosmetics, lavender sachets, essential lavender and rosemary oils distilled on the property, and you can enjoy the visit with a cup of coffee or tea in the charming guest lounge.
Stanthorpe Post Office
A thriving centre for Arts and Crafts This is a perfect climate for artists and artisans. Here are a few highly recommended places to visit: Stanthorpe Art Gallery
Wallangarra Railway Cafe & Museum
Stanthorpe Museum – a must-see treasure Winner of multiple Awards for Excellence, Stanthorpe Museum is an outstanding regional museum housed in the 1914 old Shire Council Chambers. There is the School Residence built in 1894, complete with inkwells, school desks and slates. Gracious Ardmore House, once the summer residence of a wealthy Brisbane family, was built in 1920 and is now filled with wonderful period collections. Heath House, built in 1940, has complete rooms dressed with household furniture and items from the 30s and 40s including some gorgeous vintage clothes. Wilsons Downfall Gaol, also on the museum site, was built in 1876 and used for more than 100 years. See antique farm machinery, fire engines and an important and poignant WWI display as well as the old Glen Aplin Telephone Exchange which carried all interstate military calls during WWII. There are 15 complete buildings on the large site so make sure you set aside enough time to enjoy them all.
The Red Bridge Stanthorpe’s famous Red Bridge railway crossing over Quart Pot Creek was built
between 1885 and 1888 using horse-drawn drays and manpower to move the tonnes of rock needed for banking. Many who came to build the bridge stayed to build new lives in the region. The stroll to the Red Bridge along Quart Pot Creek follows a well-made path and in hot weather the cool, rocky pools upstream are a delight.
Wallangarra Railway Station The railway station was created to service a break-of-gauge between Queensland's narrow gauge railway line and New South Wales's standard gauge when the two systems met in 1888. Until 1932, the railway was the only rail link between Queensland and New South Wales. From that time on, the Wallangarra station lessened in importance. All scheduled rail 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.
Stanthorpe is privileged to have an art gallery of this size and quality. Established in 1972, the collection now comprises more than 900 pieces and represents the diversity of Australian art practice through wide-ranging mediums – fibre/textile, painting, ceramics, works on paper and sculpture. The collection includes works by Margaret Olley, Charles Blackman, William Robinson, Jon Molvig, Gordon Bennett and Barbara Schey. New exhibitions are regularly presented. Bush Rock Gallery Featuring the work of resident artist Graeme Schreiber, this small gallery is set in an area of natural bushland, surrounded by a lovely garden of native plants. Visitors are welcome to wander the garden as well as enjoy Graeme’s work.
Aloomba Lavender Gift Shop Open 7 days 8.30-4.30pm Bush Rock Gallery Open Fri-Mon 10-4pm & most pub hols Stanthorpe Museum Open Wed-Fri 10-4pm; Sat 1-4pm; Sun 9-1pm Stanthorpe Art Gallery Open Tues-Fri 10-4pm; Sat-Sun 10-1pm Wallangarra Railway Station & Museum Open 7 days 9-3pm
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
19
Perfect places to stay The choice of where to stay on the Granite Belt is as diverse and enticing as our environment and our wines. From private bushland cottages or cabins in a vineyard, to secluded forest and garden locations, luxury villas or affordable family cabins and friendly motels in the heart of town. We have listed our recommendations and you can find out more details about them at www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au.
Log fires in winter
Special Events
Recommended Find them all on
Every second year the Apple & Grape Festival brings thousands of visitors to the region for a week of wonderful music, food and wine. Next year it will be held from February 23 to March 4. This is a magnificent event so make your accommodation bookings early.
31 The Rocks Accommodation Creek Cottages Aloomba Lavender B&B and Camping Alpine Lodges Stanthorpe Beverley Bush Cottages (Whiskey Gully Wines) Connor House Country Style Caravan Park Fergie’s Hill Cottage Grovely House Honeysuckle Cottages James Farmhouse & Cottages Loggers Rest Loughmore House & Cottage Lynrose Place Mallow Cottage MollyMac Cottages Murray Gardens Cottages and Motel Possum’s Hollow & Hooter’s Hut Ridgemill Escape Rovers Rest Guesthouse Sancerre Estate Severn-Dipity Sippers at Ballandean Stannum Lodge Storm King Cottage Twisted Gum Vineyard Cottage
www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
Queensland’s premier winter event, Snowflakes in Stanthorpe Festival will be held from June 30 to July 2, 2017 with real snow fields, ice-skating , winter markets, human snow globes and activities for every age. Don’t miss this. The next one will be in 2019. Grazing the Granite Belt is held every year in mid-May. Two days of lazy grazing on gourmet local produce matched with premium Granite Belt wines and ciders with a hopoff, hop-on bus to take you from one delicious experience to another. Recognised nationally is the Australian Small Winemakers’ Show. Held annually in Stanthorpe in October, this event attracts thousands of entries from small wine producers all over Australia and New Zealand. Stanthorpe is known as the coolest 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 no matter how hot the summer days on the coast, it will be cooler with lower humidity at 1000 metres up on the Granite Belt. Our four gorgeous seasons mean holding your special event or small conference here offers the perfect escape from heat, noise and bustle. Check our website: www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au for an update of coming events.
Find out more: Apple & Grape Festival www.appleandgrape.org Snowflakes in Stanthorpe www.snowflakesinstanthorpe.com.au Grazing the Granite Belt – Facebook or www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Australian Small Winemakers’ Show www.asws.com.au
Sippers
at Ballandean
E: sippers@ballandean.net.au P: Graham 0409 788 772 www.ballandean.net.au
20
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. If you enjoy the finer 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 Ballandean is fully equipped with all the facilities you need for a relaxing trip. Downstairs you’ll find four themed bedrooms each with a large ensuite and reverse cycle air-conditioning caters for all temperatures. Open a beautiful bottle of wine with friends, cook up a BBQ or play a few hands of poker at the games table. With a spacious kitchen, laundry, fireplace, television area and native garden, you will not be disappointed when you choose to stay at Sippers luxury accommodation in Ballandean.
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
ACCOMMODATION
31 The Rocks
Villas with Style “Relax – Revive – Re-energise” Private 10-acre property with valley views and rock outcrops. Studio, One Bedroom and Two Bedroom Villas each with a unique aspect and privacy. Wood fire, reverse cycle AC, private BBQ and fully self-contained. Stylish, modern design with comfort in mind. Allow us to ensure your stay is memorable.
Alpine Lodges The lodges are inspired by the great Aussie farm house. Don’t get the wrong idea, these lodges have style, bucketfuls of it – and a setting to match. Two contemporary-chic fully self-contained lodges have lots of windows and verandas looking out onto acres of paddocks and valley views.
Connor House Large house and land suitable for groups or families – Five minute walk from town – Four queen bedrooms with extra bedding available – Cosy fireplace – Fully self-contained including linen and firewood – TV, DVD, video, iPod dock and stereo provided – Lock up double garage and off street parking – Tour bus operators will pick up from your door – Advice on local restaurants and winery tours.
31therocks.com 07 4681 2726
alpinelodges.com.au 0428 887 999 E: margaret@alpinelodges.com.au
connorhouse.com.au 0418 754 526 E: thirtyconnor@bigpond.com
31 Brunckhorst Avenue, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
104 Summit Road, The Summit QLD 4377
30 Connor Street, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
Country Style Caravan Park
Grovely House B&B
Loughmore House & Cottage
Nestled in the heart of the Granite Belt Wine Region just a few minutes south of Stanthorpe. Large drive through powered sites and unpowered camping along the water’s edge. Six fully self-contained ensuite cabins – cosy wood burners or electric heating. Non-ensuite and bunk style cabins suitable for large groups. Clean well behaved pets welcome (subject to approval).
countrystylecaravanpark.com.au 07 4683 4358
Where you come to Relax
• Contemporary B&B with 4 Queen Rooms and 1 King Suite each with own ensuite. • Spectacular views of the Severn Ranges. • Enjoy a full breakfast served in our dining room. • Extensive library and welcoming hospitality. • Beautiful gardens to sit and enjoy. • Open fireplace for those chilly nights.
Comfortable house and cottage accommodation, conveniently located along a scenic drive between Stanthorpe and Ballandean. Relax with family and friends in our fully renovated, three bedroom Queenslander, or take a break in our self-contained one bedroom cottage. Granite Belt vineyards on your doorstep, Girraween National Park over your back fence.
E: info@countrystylecaravanpark.com.au
grovelyhouse.com.au 07 4681 0484 E: info@grovelyhouse.com.au
stayatloughmore.com.au 0419 782 625 E: info@stayatloughmore.com.au
27156 New England Highway, Glen Aplin QLD 4381
1A Torrisi Terrace, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
2 Armstrong Lane, Eukey QLD 4380
Lynrose Place
Mallow Cottage
Comfortably accommodates up to 6 people, includes 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, electric blankets, reverse cycle air conditioning throughout, TV/media room, separate lounge with fireplace, dining room with garden views, full laundry facilities, outdoor fire pit, picnic table and carport for up to 3 vehicles. Nestled in a quiet and peaceful position, on the edge of town.
Peaceful, idyllic rural retreat just 15 minutes from Stanthorpe. Tastefully furbished 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms ideal for families and groups. Wellbeing program, walks, fishing and birdlife. Also home to Mallow Certified Organic Lamb – Finalist 2011 and 2014, and Medallist 2012 Delicious Magazine Produce Awards. Order direct and pick up from the farm.
Possum’s Hollow and Hooter’s Hut Possum’s Hollow and Hooter’s Hut are rustic twin cabins which offer cosy, comfortable accommodation sleeping up to six people in each. Cabins are fully self-contained and located a short five minute walk from each other for those looking for a group booking. Great for kids, couples... everyone really!
lynroseplace.com.au 07 4681 4676 E: info@lynroseplace.com.au
mallow.net.au 0401 557 338 E: cottage@mallow.net.au
cobbncocabins.com.au 0408 877 457 E: possumsandhooterscabins@gmail.com
115 College Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
1929 Texas Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
216 Butler Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
21
ACCOMMODATION | | CAFÉS, RESTAURANTS, ATTRACTIONS | | WINERIES, BREWERY & TOURS
Rovers Rest Guest House and Studio Units
Sancerre Estate B&B and Guest House
The Rovers Rest Guest House is south of Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt. The house sleeps 6 in bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, dining room and lounge with fire place. The Studio Units – each unit has its own bathroom, small kitchen and sleeps 2+. There is a communal area. It has a gas stove, 8 seater dining table and wood fire place. 34m north facing under cover verandah.
Our luxurious King B&B rooms offer privacy, while the guest lounge and veranda are the perfect place to share your experience with fellow guests. Our self-contained guest house “Shiraz Cottage” caters for up to 6 guests, perfect for groups or families. Ask about tasting our “View Wines” during your stay.
roversrest.com.au 0409 788 772 E: bookings@roversrest.com.au
SancerreEstate.com.au 07 4684 1139 E: stay@SancerreEstate.com.au
20-46 Fletcher Road, Glen Aplin QLD 4381
60 Zambelli Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
Bush Rock Gallery
Severn-dipity 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 woodfired pizza oven and open plan living.
severn-dipity.com.au 07 4684 1300
38 Mungall Lane, Ballandean QLD 4382
Wallangarra Railway Museum & Cafe
Original Paintings
Bush Rock Gallery shows the work of resident artist Graeme Schreiber.
Open daily for breakfast and lunch, you can enjoy dining inside in air conditioned comfort or outside, undercover on the platform then take a stroll through the onsite museum. Suitable for group bookings and functions, wheel chair friendly, open 7 days, including Public Holidays from 9am till 3pm and now fully licensed.
His paintings are done in both contemporary and realistic styles, with wildlife and landscape subjects being in the majority. The Gallery is set in an area of natural bush and is surrounded by a native plant garden. It is located 12km southwest of Stanthorpe.
graemeschreiber.com.au 0419 216 131
07 4684 3376 E: wallangarracafe@gmail.com
29 Hoey Lane, Thorndale QLD 4380
The Barrelroom
Rockwell Street, Wallangarra QLD 4383
At The Barrelroom, we believe in keeping food mileage low, utilising the abundant local produce and working directly with both farmers and the seasons to showcase what the Granite Belt has to offer. We support free range and sustainable farming practices, organic where possible, and have given ourselves a strict three hour radius in which to source our produce.
The Jester Café The Jester Café has an excellent menu of delicious choices including something special for ‘Little Jesters’. The menu changes seasonally. Our family friendly atmosphere ensures that parents can dine in comfort while watching their children play on the Petanque/Bocce court.
Everything possible is produced in house including bread, cultured cream, yoghurt, charcuterie and butter, and we like to feature wild harvested ingredients on our menu. Any beast smaller than a cow comes to us whole to be butchered in house, and our menu changes as we work our way through the animal.
Thursday to Sunday - Lunch: 11am - 2.30pm. Dinner bookings for 10 or more welcome in advance.
jesterhillwines.com.au 07 4683 4380 292 Mt Stirling Road, Glen Aplin QLD 4381
22
barrelroom.com.au 07 4684 1326 E: enquiries@barrelroom.com.au 354 Sundown Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
Boireann Winery With a red Five-Star James Halliday rating, Boireann Wines has been producing premium quality red wines for over 20 years. Hand-picked and crafted, our meticulous attention to detail allows us to produce remarkable red wines with exceptional character and varietal expression. With specialties including Shiraz Viognier, Barbera and Sangiovese, we invite you to join us for a tasting at Boireann Wines. • Cellar Door Open: 10am–4pm Friday–Monday
07 4683 2194 E: cellardoor@boireannwinery.com.au 26 Donnellys Castle Road, The Summit QLD 4377
WINERIES, BREWERY & TOURS
Balancing Rock Wines
The Granite Belt’s Newest Cellar Door – the excitement and love of wine is in exploring something new • Cellar Door is open with all wines on the tasting table on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, plus public holidays and seven days on school holidays from 10.00am to 4.00pm • Situated just beyond Ballandean at Wyberba – close to two other excellent Cellar Door experiences and the chocolate shop – a great half-day out. Plus only minutes from Girraween National Park • Campfire Wines including beautiful Whites, fantastic Reds, and the very special Reserve Sagrantino • 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, and their brave story of love behind the label • Stroll through the vineyard to Balancing Rock – a natural granite rock formation sitting, ever-watchful, amongst the Shiraz vines – a great natural photo opportunity to share
balancingrockwines.com.au 0407 127 903 E: hello@balancingrockwines.com.au 221 Old Wallangarra Road, Wyberba QLD 4382
Casley Mount Hutton Winery
A cellar door with a difference • Just 10 mins from Stanthorpe on the Texas Rd • Wine tasting with the winemaker and winery tours available • Showcasing a range of 10 varietal medal winning red, white, sweet and dry wines including muscat port and StrangeBird varieties
Girraween Estate Visit one of the Granite Belt’s most picturesque vineyards for an unforgettable tasting experience. Come and meet Lisa and Steve who tend the vines and craft the wines. Sample delicious, crisp sparkling wines and a great range of award-winning still wines. Specialties include our sparkling Rosé, sparkling wines made from Chardonnay and Shiraz, and our medal winning Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
casleywines.com 042 709 9981 E: gcasley@hotmail.com
girraweenestate.com.au 07 4684 3186 E: steve@girraweenestate.com.au
94 Mount Hutton Road, Stanthorpe QLD 4380
Hickling Lane, Wyberba QLD 4382
Open 9.30–4.30 Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon and P/ Hols.
Granite Ridge Wines & Fergies Hill Cottage Situated in picturesque Ballandean. Founded in 1995, with trophies for White and Red wine. Taste a fabulous variety of wines and liqueurs, made on site. Open daily 9am to 5pm. • Large gift shop + chocolates • Traditional and Strangebird grape varieties • Fergies Hill Spa Cottage accommodation
Jester Hill Wines
The range of exceptional wines at Jester Hill certainly live up to its 5 Star James Halliday and 5 Star Winestate status. Our wines engage most palates with the winemaker’s attention to good finishes and rich fruity notes, particularly our multi-award winning reds. The Granite Belt Strange Bird Trail winds its way through Jester Hill with our Roussanne, Petit Verdot and Sangiovese. The Cellar Door is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
Granite Highlands Maxi-Tours Specialising in winery/beer and food, and district tours on the Granite Belt offering full day/half day and private group tours. Also offering group tours from Brisbane/ Toowoomba and other areas. For more information visit our website/email or phone Granite Highlands Maxi-Tours.
maxitours.com.au 1800 85 29 69 or 07 4681 3969 E: allan@maxitours.com.au
Just Red Wines A family-run boutique winery specialising in red wine. All wines are made on the premises from grapes grown on our property. Grape varieties are Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tannat and Viognier. Chances are you will find the winemaker in the cellar door when you visit. Open Friday to Monday 10.00 am to 5.00 pm or by appointment (closed September).
graniteridgewines.com.au 07 4684 1263 E: info@graniteridgewines.com.au
jesterhillwines.com.au 07 4683 4380
justred.com.au 07 4684 1322 or 0419 795 329 E: cellar@justred.com.au
157 Sundown Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
292 Mt Stirling Road, Glen Aplin QLD 4381
2370 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
23
WINERIES, BREWERY & TOURS
Masons Cellar Door, Cafe and Deli
Savina Lane Wines Welcome to a premium wine experience. Try Fiano, Viognier, Tempranillo and Graciano or the superb cool climate Shiraz. Wander through one of the region’s loveliest vineyards or relax in a leather armchair in the beautiful cellar door. Browse the gorgeous boutique. Or just grab a barstool and enjoy a taste of our hand-crafted, single vineyard wines. Open weekends 10am to 4pm from June until Sold Out.
• Daily tastings of wine and regional products • Open 10am – 5pm Friday – Monday • Lunch 11.30am – 2.30pm • All day platters available • Bookings preferred
masonwines.com.au 0439 530 535 E: masonwinesballandean@gmail.com 27850 New England Highway, Ballandean QLD 4382
savinalanewines.com.au 07 4683 5258 or 0419 723 755 E: savinalane@bigpond.com
Pyramids Road Wines
61 Savina Lane (off Back Creek Rd), Severnlea QLD 4380
One of the little ones
Ralph, the famous winery dog will meet and greet you in the car park before escorting you to the historic tasting room where Warren and Sue will warmly welcome you. The couple hand planted their vines in this scenic valley which lies in the foothills of Girraween National Park. A few years later they established their winery and cellar door and invite you to savour the handcrafted wines at your leisure. • Crisp white wines for your summer picnic.
Symphony Hill Wines • Awarded Most Successful QLD Exhibitor Trophy at Royal QLD Wine Show 8 times over last 9 years.
• Bold succulent reds to keep you warm on winter nights. • Personalised service and attention. Open daily 10:00am to 4:30pm.
• Our Reserve Shiraz rated 5 stars, served to Prince William and Kate in Brisbane, scoring 96 points – just 1 point behind Penfolds Grange. • Our Gewurztraminer awarded Trophies at Royal Melbourne and Brisbane Wine Shows. • Open 7 days – 10am to 4pm.
symphonyhill.com.au 07 4684 1388 2017 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
pyramidsroad.com.au 07 4684 5151 or 0432 849 212 E: info@pyramidsroad.com 25 Wyberba Lane, Wyberba QLD 4382
Tobin Wines
Premium ~ Limited Edition ~ Single Vineyard ~ Hand Crafted Wines
Twisted Gum Wines Enjoy a leisurely wine tasting in our stylish cellar door, set in a classic 1920s Queenslander surrounded by lush vineyards and native forest. Explore our crisp dry whites, deep inky reds and hedonistic Pink Moscato. All wines are crafted exclusively using hand-picked grapes from our dry grown vineyard. Winery rated 4 stars by James Halliday. Open Weekends/Public Holidays 10am–4pm or by appointment.
24
Whiskey Gully Wines Wine, Dine & Recline
Award-winning winery set in historic homestead overlooking the Severn Valley. Hand-crafted wines with cottage accommodation and degustation dining with home-grown produce, wine matching and entertainment on Saturday nights.
Our winemaking philosophy is undeniably ‘old world’, where respect is paid to the vineyard, the vine and the grape….with little, if any reverence paid to the winemaker! Thus, the purity of the grape as it comes from the vine is the essence of Tobin Wines. This authentic reflection of ‘terroir’ – that sense of place where the grape is grown and nurtured – with minimum interference in the winemaking process leads to wines that are truly unique. CELLAR DOOR 10am – 5pm / 7 days (Closed Good Friday & Christmas Day) Anzac Day: 1pm – 5pm
Open: Friday-Tuesday 10 am - 5 pm for wine tasting and sales. Group dining and functions by appointment.
twistedgum.com.au 07 4684 1282 E: info@twistedgum.com.au
whiskeygullywines.com.au 07 4683 5100 E: denice@whiskeygullywines.com.au
2253 Eukey Road, Ballandean QLD 4382
25 Turner Road, Severnlea QLD 4380
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
tobinwines.com.au 07 4684 1235 34 Ricca Rd (Cnr Sundown Rd), Ballandean QLD 4382
5
Page 1
18
16
12 13
14
8
STANTHORPE TOWN MAP
17 19 18
22
3
11
7 9
11 11 11 11 1110
19
6
11 10
11 11
21
4
2
2
20
17
16
5
21 19
18
6
22
Varias Restaurant (Qld Cllge Wine Tourism) – www.qcwt.com.au 07 4685 5050
Stanthorpe RSL Club – www.stanthorperslclub.com.au – 07 4681 2324
Ashbern Farms Strawberries & Cafe – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 4681 0124
Stannum Lodge Motor Inn – www.stannumlodge.com.au
Murray Gardens Cottages & Motel – www.murraygardens.com.au 07 4681 4121
Lynrose Place – www.lynroseplace.com.au 07 4681 4676
Grovely House – www.grovelyhouse.com.au 07 4681 0484
Connor House – www.connorhouse.com.au 07 3203 7170
31 the rocks – www.31therocks.com 07 4681 2726
ACCOMMODATION
7
RESTAURANTS & CAFES
Logger’s Rest B & B and Cottage – www.loggersrest.com.au 07 4681 2572
3
Market in the Mountains – www.marketinthemountains.org 0417 760 529
Ashbern Farms PYO Strawberries – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 4681 012
ATTRACTIONS 2
Go Vita Stanthorpe – www.govitastanthorpe.com.au 07 4681 1575 Stanthorpe Print n Copy – www.printncopy.com.au 07 4681 0011
OTHER SERVICES
Stanthorpe RSL Club – www.stanthorperslclub.com.au – 07 4681 2324
Stanthorpe Museum – stanthorpemuseum@gmail.com 07 4681 1711 Stanthorpe Regional Art Gallery – www.srag.org.au 07 4681 1874 1
17 4 8 7
11
10
TOUR OPERATORS
Filippo’s Tours – www.filippostours.com.au 07 4681 3130
Wine Discovery Tours - www.winediscoverytours.com.au 0412 579 341
Granite Highlands Maxi Tours – www.maxitours.com.au 4681 3969
SUPPORTERS OF GRANITE BELT TOURISM
Ambar Hill Wines – grape grower
Andelas Estate – grape grower
Frances Futter – grape grower
Australian Vinegar – manufacturer – info@australianvinegar.com
Gillmore Estate – grape grower
Misty River Vineyard – grape grower
O’Reilly Vineyard – grape grower
Rosemary Hill Vineyard – grape grower
Vinland Estate – grape grower
Stanthorpe Agricultural Society – www.stanagsociety.com.au 07 4681 2107
25
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
X
Fairbanks Ln
65 64
50
48
46 47
59
Ln ey 35 32 Ho
56
45
39
55 57
37
41
34
eid Rd
70
60
31
33
66
g
58
67 68
69
71
on str
61
Rd belli
53 62
Zam
63
67
X Not on map
71
30
RESTAURANTS & CAFES
21 Ashbern Farms PYO Strawberries & Café – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 4681 0124
65 Barrelroom & Larder (Ballandean Estate) - www.thebarrel-room.com 07 4684 1226
31 Beverley Vineyard Restaurant – www.whiskeygully.com.au 07 4683 5100 5
Heritage Churchyard Café & Cellar Door – www.heritagewines.com.au 07 4685 2197
32 Blue Pot Pantry (by apptmt only) – www.bluepotpantry.com.au 0424 491 829
58 Hidden Creek Winery Café – www.hiddencreek.com.au 07 4684 1383
41 Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder– www.jamworks.com.au 07 4683 4171
39 Jester Hill Winery Restaurant & Café – www.jesterhillwines.com.au 07 4683 4380
47 Mason Wines Cellar Door & Café – www.masonwines.com.au 0439 530 535
15 Robert Channon Wines Singing Lake Café - www.robertchannonwines.com 07 4683 3260
17 The Rocks Restaurant - www.honeysucklecottages.com.au 07 4681 1510
18 Varias Restaurant Qld College of Wine Tourism - www.qcwt.com.au (07) 4685 5050
71 Wallangarra Railway Café - www.facebook.com/.../Wallangarra-Railway-Cafe 07 4684 3376
WINERIES & CELLAR DOORS
69 Balancing Rock Wines – www.balancingrockwines.com.au 0407 127 903
65 Ballandean Estate Wines - www.ballandeanestate.com 07 4684 1226
10 Boireann Winery - www.boireannwines.com 07 4683 2194
50 Bungawarra Wines - www.bungawarrawines.com.au 07 4684 1128
24 Casley Mount Hutton Winery - www.casleywines.com 07 4683 6316
70 Girraween Estate Wines – www.girraweenestate.com.au 07 4684 3186
64 Golden Grove Estate - www.goldengroveestate.com.au 07 4684 1291 5
Heritage Wines & Churchyard Cafe – www.heritagewines.com.au 07 4685 2197
62 Granite Ridge Wines - www.graniteridgewines.com.au 07 4684 1263
58 Hidden Creek Winery & Cafe - www.hiddencreek.com.au 07 4684 1383
39 Jester Hill Wines - www.jesterhillwines.com 07 4683 4380
57 Just Red Wines - www.justred.com.au 07 4684 1322
47 Mason Wies Cellar Door & Cafe- www.masonwines.com.au 0439 530 535
68 Pyramids Road Wines - www.pyramidsroad.com.au 07 4684 5151
26 Ridgemill Estate - www.ridgemillestate.com 07 4683 5211
18 Qld College of Wine Tourism - www.qcwt.com.au 07 4685 5050
15 Robert Channon Wines - www.robertchannonwines.com 07 4683 3260
67 Robinson’s Family Vineyard - www.robinsonswines.com.au 0448 877 874
46 Rumbalara Estate Wines - www.rumbalarawines.com.au 07 4684 1206
X Sirromet Wines - www.sirromet.com 07 3206 2999
33 Savina Lane Wines - www.savinalanewines.com.au 07 4683 5258
Summit Estate - www.summitestate.com.au 07 4683 5100
X Squished Berry - www.squishedberry.com.au 0409 635 101 9
60 Symphony Hill Wines - www.symphonyhill.com.au 07 4684 1388
63 Tobin Wines - www.tobinwines.com.au 07 4684 1235
59 Twisted Gum Wines - www.twistedgum.com.au 07 4684 1282
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018
26
m Ar Rd
22
15
14
20
1
M
5
2
9
ay fa ir
21
REFER TO TOWN MAP
10
Regional Map 2017_Regional Map 2017 top and bottom 25/04/2017 2:50 PM Page 1
23
24 26 27
Ln
17 18
REGIONAL MAP INDEX
37
23
66
56
17
1
62
Possum’s Hollow & Hooter’s Hut –www.cobbncocabins.com.au 07 3892 7443
Murray Gardens Cottages & Motel – www.murraygardens.com.au 07 4681 4121
MollyMac Cottages – www.mollymac.com.au 07 3286 2338
Mallow Cottage - cottage@mallow.net.au 0401 557 338
Loughmore House &Cottage – www.stayz.com.au #195880 0419 782 625
James Farmhouse & Cottages – www.jamesfarmhouse.com.au 07 3715 6310
Honeysuckle Cottages – www.honeysucklecottages.com.au 07 4681 1510
Heritage Cottage – www.heritagewines.com.au 07 4685 2197
Fergie’s Hill Cottage – www.graniteridgewines.com.au 07 4684 1263
Accommodation Crk Cottages - www.accommodationcreekcottages.com.au 07 4684 1144
20
Ridgemill Escape – www.ridgemillestate.com 07 4683 5211
61
14
Roversrest Guesthouse – www.roversrest.com.au 07 4683 4121
Aloomba Lavender B & B - www.aloombalavender.com.au 07 4686 1191
26
Sancerre Estate – www.sancerreestate.com.au07 4684 1139
19
45
Severn-Dipity – www.severn-dipity.com.au07 4684 1300
Alpine Lodges – www.alpinelodges.com.au 0428 887 999
53
Sippers at Ballandean – www.ballandean.net.au 0409 788 772
11
48
Storm King Cottage – www.stormkingcottage.com.au 07 4683 7182
Country Style Caravan Park – www.countrystylecaravanpark.com.au 07 4683 4358
55
Beverley Bush Cottages (Whisky Gully) – www.whiskeygully.com.au 07 4683 5100
30
Twisted Gum Vineyard Cottage – www.twistedgum.com.au 07 4684 1282
31
59
Aloomba Lavender - www.aloombalavender.com.au 07 4686 1191
Brass Monkey Brewhouse – www.brassmonkeybrewhouseptyltd.com 0488 967 401
CRAFT BREWERY
Wallangarra Rlway Café/ Museum - www.facebook.com/.../Wallangarra-Railway-Cafe 07 4684 3376
Sam’s Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Shop 07 4681 1643
Jamworks Gourmet Foods Café & Larder– www.jamworks.com.au 07 4683 4171
Bush Rock Gallery – www.graemeschreiber.com.au 4683 5306
Ashbern Farms PYO Strawberries & Cafe – www.ashbernfarms.com.au 07 4681 0124
ATTRACTIONS 19
34
ACCOMMODATION
REGIONAL MAP INDEX A-Z
To Sirromet Wines - Mt Cotton Brisbane
11
19
21 35 41 2 71
27
27
granitebeltwinecountry.com.au
Old Warw ick Rd
How to Escape to the Granite Belt 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 on the Southern Downs, follow the signs towards Sydney on 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, 20km north of Tenterfield. Before you leave home visit our website to plan your visit and find out where to stay. www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au Granite Belt Wine Country
@GraniteBeltWine
BRISBANE
Toowoomba
Warwick
Gold Coast
Beaudesert Killarney Legume
STANTHORPE Wallangarra
Tenterfield
Lismore Casino
Byron Bay Ballina
Distance from: Brisbane ...............................................................230km Toowoomba ....................................................... 140km Gold Coast ..........................................................250km Sunshine Coast .................................................350km
28
Granite Belt Wine Country Visitors’ Guide 2017–2018