What’s All The Buzz About Queensland Wineries?

Queensland Wineries

Queensland may not be the first place I think of when the topic of Australian wine comes up. 

Known for scenic beaches, this Australian state is home to five of Australia’s eleven World Heritage Sites, including the Great Barrier Reef!

Australia has become one of the world’s most well known and prestigious wine regions. Their cutting edge and calculated rule breaking has made their wines stand out against the Old World. 

Today, Australia ranks fifth among wine-producing countries.

While most of Australia’s wine comes from the South-Eastern and South-Western states, Queensland wineries are developing their own profile of rich and valuable wines. 

Wineries in Queensland are still much in their infancy in the US, but I’m convinced we’ll be hearing a lot more about them soon.

Keep an ear out for Stanthorpe wineries along the Strange Bird Wine Trail in Queensland.

A Bit About Australia’s Wine Scene

Before I do a deep dive into Queensland and Queensland wineries, I’d like to explain a bit more about Australia’s wine scene. 

Australia is one of the earth’s oldest land masses, making for ancient and quite impoverished soil.

Despite miles and miles of dry outback, where it often won’t rain for years, Australia is (not surprisingly) surrounded by water on all sides. 

This combination of desperate heat and cool ocean breeze is what makes Australian wines so eclectic.

Both cool climate grapes such as Riesling and warm climate grapes such as Shiraz are able to thrive here. Australia has developed a unique reputation for making mass-produced bulk wine as well as coveted and complex wines. 

Don’t be surprised if you see the same producer making both!

What’s New With Queensland Wineries?

Queensland’s wine industry has been around for about 150 years, which is surprising because it is so rarely discussed.

This could have to do with the fact that Queensland has unique challenges that make creating successful wines a tougher feat than in the south-east. 

Queensland experiences significantly more rainfall than the rest of Australia. This, combined with the heat, makes for a humid climate that encourages fungal diseases that plague vineyards. 

These challenges meant Queensland wineries were relegated to the world of fortified and cheap table wines.

However popular Australian wines such as Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon, have had success here.

Queensland Wine Regions

Currently, there are two recognized wine growing regions within Queensland, the Granite Belt and South Burnett. 

The Granite Belt Wine Region

The Granite Belt is where most of the wine is made, and is a part of the Great Dividing Range. This makes it Australia’s highest altitude wine growing region, with its rock formations reaching upwards of 1500 meters above sea level. 

Expect to find Shiraz, Semillon, and quite a few obscure Italian varietals growing here as well.

South Burnett Wine Region

The South Burnett wine region is quite smaller, with a sub-tropical climate making for structured and complex wines. 

This region has only been making wine commercially since 1993, but it has already developed a reputation for making delicious Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Semillon.

There are also quite a few urban wineries in south east Queensland, popping up in Brisbane, which may feature wines made from all over Australia, not just Queensland. 

Expect to find unique multi-regional blends, and of course, delicious Shiraz, Semillon, and Chardonnay, to name a few.

Queensland Wineries To Know About

Queensland Wineries – Ballandean Estate Wines

• Address: 354 Sundown Rd, Ballandean QLD 4382, Australia
• Website: ballandeanestate.com
• Notable Wines: Rare and alternative wines, such as Durif (Petit Syrah), Fiano, and Sylvaner

Located in the Granite Belt, this winery is Queensland’s oldest family-owned-and-operated winery. This winery is a proud participant in the “Strange Bird” Granite Belt Wine Trail. 

This means that Ballandean Estate is known for making “rare and alternative wines” such as Durif (Petit Syrah), Fiano, and Sylvaner, to name a few.

Here’s Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi passionately speaking about Queensland’s Strange Bird Wine Trail and Ballandean Estate…

Queensland Wineries – Golden Grove Estate

• Address: 337 Sundown Rd, Ballandean QLD 4382, Australia
• Website: goldengroveestate.com.au
• Notable Wines: Italian wines such as Barbera, Sangiovese, and Nero d’Avola

Another “Strange Bird”, this winery is known for making 100% estate grown rich Italian wines such as Barbera, Sangiovese, and Nero d’Avola. 

Despite being a small winery, Golden Grove Estate has a big reputation, having won Viticulturist of the Year at the 2021 Queensland Wine Awards.

Queensland Wineries – City Winery Brisbane

• Address: 162 Edward St, Brisbane City
• Website: citywinery.com.au
• Notable Wines: Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Graciano, and Grüner Veltliner

This urban micro winery, located in Brisbane, is following a uniquely Australian practice of sourcing grapes from many wine regions and making complex blends. 

While you’d never expect to see a Chardonnay from Washington and California – this “multi-regional” practice is typical for Australia. This process makes for both complex and consistent wines. 

Enjoy everything from the classics such as Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz, to some stuff a little more out there like Graciano or Grüner Veltliner.

Queensland Wineries – Clovely Estate Vineyard Cellar Door

• Address: 91 Steinhardts Rd, Moffatdale QLD 4605, Australia
• Website: clovely.com.au
• Notable Wines: Sparkling wine series (Semillon and Shiraz) and herbaceous gins, distilled by South Burnett Distillers with grapes

Located in South Burnett, this winery has been around since 1997, and specializes in exceptional wines from one of Queensland’s only recognized wine growing regions. 

They also grow olives and offer delicately flavorful olive oils alongside their vivacious wines. 

Expect to fall in love with their sparkling wine series, Semillon, Shiraz, or perhaps even some of their herbaceous gins, distilled by South Burnett Distillers with grapes from Clovely Estate.

Queensland Wineries – Witches Falls Winery 

• Address: 79 Main Western Rd, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272, Australia
• Website: witchesfalls.com.au
• Notable Wines: Wild fermented Spanish varietals, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon

Located on Tamborine Mountain in the Scenic Rim, this is one of Queensland’s largest wine producers.

This winery prides itself on minimal intervention and wild fermented wines – meaning the grapes do most of the work and the winemakers get all the credit. Just kidding, kinda…

This winery was listed in the James Halliday Wine Companion Top 5 Wineries for 2018. Be sure to experience their wild fermented Spanish varietals, or perhaps their Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Queensland Wine-Travel

Are you traveling to Queensland? It’s not as popular of a wine destination as Spain or France. But if you find yourself here, a day of wine tasting should be on your list of things to do. It is definitely worth your time.

Wine Tour In Queensland from brisbane or the Gold Coast

This full-day tour with lunch has it all and is all-inclusive. Transportation to/from your hotel will be arranged. Your tour will take you to Mt Tamborine where you’ll enjoy three libation locations (including Withes Falls Winery).

Dine on local fare for your 2 course lunch. Just some of your menu choices include fresh produce, seafood, steak and pasta.

This is an awesome way to not only sip the nectar of the gods but also learn about the land and the winemaking. There’s really no better way.

Venturing into Stanthorpe? Sleep among the vines at these wineries.

Want to bring your queensland wine home?

Queensland Wineries Final Thoughts

If there’s one word to perfectly describe Australia – and specifically Queensland’s wine region – it is enduring. Despite the odds being stacked against them, Queensland is developing its own unique profile. 

So, next time you find yourself in the Aussie section of your local wine shop, take an extra long gander and see if you spot anything from the Granite Belt. 

If you don’t see anything yet, keep checking, because they’re coming.

Queensland Wineries FAQ