GRANITE BELT
EXPLORE GRANITE BELT VINEYARDS

The Granite Belt is a true wine tourism destination, with four distinct seasons allowing for a diverse, exceptional range of grapes and wines. This is a region that truly punches above its weight, producing over 60% of the state’s wine!

The cool, high country of the Granite Belt is the diamond in the Queensland wine industry’s crown, boasting some of the highest vineyards in Australia – sitting at a lofty 1000 metres elevation – with vines enjoying the richness of 250-million-year-old granitic soils.

While these bountiful soils were happily home to orchards of apples, peaches, and table grapes for decades, wine grapes began to take over from the 1960s when post-war Italian immigrants recognised the similarities of the climate to their homeland.

Today, there are around 50 vineyards and cellar doors dotted across the region, all within two and a half hours’ reach when you venture in from Brisbane.

Classic varietals like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Chardonnay still feature strongly but Granite Belt winemakers have begun earning a reputation for their emerging varietals, with the likes of Vermentino and Tempranillo.

Beyond the main township of Stanthorpe, you’ll pass through a handful of quaint, country villages including Applethorpe, Ballandean, Glen Aplin, and Thulimbah. Sharing a border with New South Wales, the Granite Belt is also one of few areas in Queensland to see the occasional snowfall.

With crisp air, big skies, and brilliant wine, what’s not to love about a trip to wine country?

But the Granite Belt offers more than just spectacular wine, with stunning national parks and picturesque exposed granite rocks waiting to be explored.

Don’t forget to bring a cooler bag to fill with delicious regional produce from cellar doors and providores along the way as you explore this thriving section of Queensland’s Vine and Shine Trail!

Images Courtesy of Tourism Events Queensland

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01 Heritage Estate Wines -28.516151.94858 747 Granite Belt Dr, Cottonvale

Heritage Estate is a James Halliday RED 5-Star Winery (Australian top 8%) with the oldest Shiraz vines in QLD, and the highest altitude 5-Star winery in Australia. You can sit at the c1859 Parliament Table, by a roaring fire, surrounded by antiques, often accompanied by live music, to enjoy your gourmet Food/Wine/Vine experience for lunch and dinners, guided by our sommeliers, chef and viticulturist.

02 Summit Estate -28.557090151.947880 291 Granite Belt Dr, Thulimbah

Summit Estate is renowned throughout Queensland as the home of aromatic Mediterranean and European wine varieties. Visitors are encouraged to take part in sit-down wine tastings and experience the Granite Belt difference.

03 Boireann Winery -28.562830151.916960 26 Donnellys Castle Rd, Thulimbah

Lovers of red wine should make a beeline for Boireann Winery, awarded five stars by James Halliday for their beautiful array of French and Italian red grape varieties.

04 QLD College of Wine Tourism -28.64094151.93695 22 Caves Rd, Stanthorpe

The Queensland College of Wine Tourism is a state-of-the-art training facility housing the Banca Ridge Cellar Door and awarded Varias Restaurant, showcasing some of the best in Queensland food and wine.

05 Robert Channon Wines -28.630350151.864300 Bradley Ln off Amiens Road, Amiens

Perched above Stanthorpe’s Singing Lake, Robert Channon Wines offers spectacular views, live music, fresh food and a variety of red and white wines, including award-winning Verdelho and Chardonnay.

06 Ravens Croft Wines -28.636430151.829270 274 Spring Creek Rd, Stanthorpe

At 950 metres above sea-level, Ravens Croft Wines is one of the highest cellar doors on the Granite Belt. Visitors to the vineyard can enjoy a winning combination of stunning views and cool-climate wines.

07 Casley Mount Hutton Winery -28.660350151.811000 94 Mt Hutton Rd, Stanthorpe

Casley Mount Hutton Winery has been awarded over 50 medals, with the Shiraz 2006 vintage the mostly highly acclaimed. The estate grows eight classic varieties, from Sauvignon Blanc to Semillon.

08 ridgemill estate -28.646480151.886410 218 Donges Rd, Broadwater

Established in 2004, ridgemill estate is constantly exploring and refining the art of winemaking, to produce drops that “delight and surprise the palates of wine lovers”. On-site accommodation is available.

09 Whiskey Gully Wines -28.682330151.921510 25 Turner Rd, Severnlea

With a focus on European-style wine production, Whiskey Gully Wines favour elegance over power; their reds are always fruit driven, while whites are delicately mineralised.

10 Severn Brae Estate -28.712000151.903850 49 Back Creek Rd, Severnlea

Severn Brae Estate is a hidden gem in the midst of the Granite Belt, where visitors can taste a range of wines, meads and ports, as well as home-made cheeses and condiments.

11 Savina Lane Wines -28.725570151.912500 61 Savina Ln, Severnlea

Savina Lane Wines boasts a rich history of grape growing, with the first vineyard on the property planted almost 60 years ago. The winery has since expanded and now produces specialty drops like Fiano, Tempranillo, and Graciano.

12 Ambar Hill Wines -28.724540151.849990 364 Mount Stirling Rd, Glen Aplin

Located 1,000m above sea level, Ambar Hill Wines is an award-winning producer of cool-climate wines, with beautiful luxury accommodation available on-site in “The Old Farmhouse”, set between the vines.

13 Jester Hill Wines -28.72594151.85327 292 Mount Stirling Rd, Glen Aplin

Jester Hill is a French Provincial-style vineyard, cellar door, and café that has been operating since the early ‘90s, offering a range of boutique wines including a unique Sparkling Roussanne (‘methode traditionale’).

14 Mountview Wines -28.73474151.86005 Mount Stirling Road, Glen Aplin

Set on the original vineyards established in 1921 with an iconic red cedar barn surrounded by pine trees, Mountview Wines produces a range of red, white, and fortified wines.

15 Harrington Glen Estate -28.75121151.87894 88 Townsend Rd, Glen Aplin

Harrington Glen Estate is a boutique family winery and two-time winner of the Best Queensland Red Wine. Alongside the cellar door, there is unique accommodation on site in the form of a converted Victoria Railways train.

16 Rumbalara Estate Wines -28.630350151.864300 137 Fletcher Rd, Glen Aplin

Located in the heart of the Granite Belt, Rumbalara Estate Wines is a historical orchard turned vineyard, producing red and white wines, muscats and ports for the drinking pleasure of locals and tourists alike.

17 Mason Wines -28.80687151.84456 27850 New England Hwy, Ballandean

Masons Wines has three outposts scattered across southern Queensland. Their Ballandean Cellar Door offers wine tasting experiences as well as accommodation at The Mason House, with panoramic views of the vineyard and the Ballandean Valley.

18 View Wines -28.803970151.832900 60 Zambelli Rd, Ballandean

View Wines are produced by Sancerre Estate, a vineyard, B&B, and winery in the heart of the Granite Belt with panoramic views of the surrounding wineries and national parks.

19 Bungawarra Wines -28.794230151.821365 181 Bents Rd, Ballandean

A sustainable vineyard situated south of Stanthorpe, Bungawarra Wines produces red and white table wines, port, and muscat – the latter of which comes from vines that date back nearly a century.

20 Bent Road Winery -28.795910151.830490 535 Bents Rd, Ballandean

Four passionate guys ‘and a tabby cat’ run Bent Road Winery. While they don’t have a cellar door as such, this premium producer always welcomes visitors by appointment.

21 Ballandean Estate Wines -28.813100151.810310 354 Sundown Rd, Ballandean

Started by the Puglisi family in 1932, Ballandean Estate is a high-altitude vineyard producing wine under the ethos that ‘every bottle tells a story’, complemented by their awarded Barrelroom restaurant.

22 Golden Grove Estate -28.82005151.81862 337 Sundown Rd, Ballandean

A family affair, operated by a third-generation winemaker, Golden Grove Estate has become known for specialising in lesser-known, alternative grape varieties, including Mourvedre, Muscadean, and Tempranillo.

23 Tobin Wines -28.812640151.822490 34 Ricca Rd, Ballandean

Located in picturesque Ballandean, Tobin Wines combines old-world winemaking philosophies and unique grape varietals to provide cellar door guests with “a taste of the Granite Belt in a glass.”

24 Granite Ridge Wines -28.81118151.83208 157 Sundown Rd, Ballandean

Starting in the late 90s, Granite Ridge Wines is a humble winery that has won Queensland’s Best Cabernet two years in a row. Fergie's Hill Cottage offers a quiet, country retreat in amongst the vines.

25 Aventine Wines -28.796690151.864760 86 Watters Rd, Ballandean

The fertile soils of Aventine Wines have been growing table grapes for over 100 years, with wine grapes introduced just 25 years ago to create wine the ‘traditional way’ with minimal interference.

26 Just Red Wines -28.80234151.86654 2370 Eukey Rd, Ballandean

As their name suggests, Just Red Wines are a boutique winery specialising in red varietals, from Shiraz and Merlot to a small planting of Viognier. Quaint cabins on-site offer a charming vineyard stay.

27 Hidden Creek Winery -28.80935151.87101 2271 Eukey Rd, Ballandean

A vineyard, winery, and cafe all rolled into one, Hidden Creek Winery produces small-batch wines crafted with special attention-to-detail, complemented perfectly by a seasonal, Modern Australian cafe menu.

28 Twisted Gum Wines -28.810320151.875610 2253 Eukey Rd, Ballandean

A restored Queenslander home doubles as cellar-door at Twisted Gum Wines, where visitors are encouraged to take in spectacular views of Ballandean and surrounds while sipping on Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Moscato.

29 Symphony Hill Wines -28.799940151.897180 2017 Eukey Rd, Ballandean

Making the most of the Granite Belt’s cool climate and high altitudes, Symphony Hill Wines produces unique and distinct styles of wine, including their flagship Reserve Shiraz.

30 St Jude’s Cellar Door & Bistro -28.806870151.844560 8200 New England Hwy, Ballandean

Opened in 2019, St Jude’s Cellar Door & Bistro celebrates local produce from Ballandean and surrounds. Combining delicious food and stunning wines, this country paradise serves up the best of both culinary worlds.

31 Pyramids Road Wines -28.85309151.87414 25 Wyberba Ln, Wyberba

Pyramids Road Wines is a beautiful vineyard-winery nestled in the foothills of Girraween. Beyond the wines, Pyramids Road is known for its hospitality, with visitors often returning to help with the annual harvest.

32 Balancing Heart Vineyard -28.813100151.895650 221 Old Wallangarra Rd, Wyberba

At the heart of the Granite Belt, Balancing Heart is home to an award-winning cellar door, pouring a range of individual, vegan wines including their flagship 2017 Rock Shiraz.

33 Girraween Estate -28.86219151.91044 41 Hickling Ln, Wyberba

Girraween Estate has grown from one of the early plantings in the Granite Belt to become a small but acclaimed family-owned vineyard set in a picturesque valley, recognised for their Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals.

Granite Belt North

 

Granite Belt South