One of the best places to get wine in Australia has to be Queensland’s Granite Belt wine region. The Granite Belt, just two and a half hours drive from Brisbane is Queensland’s largest wine growing area, with a reputation for producing outstanding cool climate wines.

Stanthorpe is the largest town in the Granite Belt region. It’s located in Queensland south east, close to the New South Wales state border.  The area is easily accessible via the New England Highway.

Visit Wineries

With so many wonderful places to visit and wineries to choose from, you will likely want to consider choosing accommodation that is handy to everything in the region. After all, the idea is to make the most of your getaway, and part of that is convenience. Here are some really lovely cellar doors you ought to consider as you travel through the Granite Belt region.

  • Ballandean Estate

Ballendean Estate is one of the area’s most long-standing wineries in terms of winemaking and growing grapes. Under the care of the Puglisi family, their connections to the region go all the way back to the 1940s. Two of the Puglisi sisters, Robyn and Leanne, are incredibly hands-on in particular and will likely be there to greet you when you visit the cellar door.

With a large range of wines to try, there’s sure to be a wine that tickles your fancy. One of the most unique varietals to try is Saperavi, which is made from a grape generally grown in the former Soviet Union in Georgia. There’s also the Malbec, which stems from French roots.

  • Golden Grove Estate

An easy 20 minutes drive south of Stanthorpe, the Golden Grove Estate Vineyard and Winery is family-owned and -operated. It is the legacy of the Costanzo family, rooted in vine plantings dating back to the mid-to-late 1940s. Their winemaker Raymond Costanzo is the third generation involved in the family business.  

Their vineyards are ideal for growing wine grapes, given the lovely summer climate, with an altitude of 820 meters high. Be sure to try a few of their Strange Bird wines, which come from the alternative, lesser-known varieties the family planted. These include Tempranillo, Malbec and sparkling Vermentino.

  • Kominos Wine

Tony and Mary Comino from Kominos Wines have 30 acres of vineyards, which are surrounded by orchards and gardens flush with fruit and vegetables.  

Their wines are handcrafted, and their winery is pretty much an Australian landmark. They’re award-winning, and they’ve been recognised at the likes of the National Cool Climate Wine Show as well as the Australian Small Winemaker’s Show. 

As well as their award winning wines, they grow:

  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Cabbages
  • Capsicum
  • Leeks
  • Nectarines
  • Peaches
  • Pears
  • Plums
  • Raspberries
  • Zucchini

Conclusion

One of the best ways to try unique and quality wine in Australia is to visit the wineries directly.  Where else can you chat with the winemaker, see where the grapes are grown and learn all about the producers.   If you’re planning on doing a wine tour in the Granite Belt, why not make a retreat out of it! The Granite Belt is the ideal region to head out to for a weekend getaway. Consider visiting the Ballandean Estate, Golden Grove Estate and Kominos Wine.

If you want to taste fine wine to finish off a hearty meal, head to Granite Belt Retreat & Brewery, one of the best Stanthorpe pubs. Our restaurant features rustic timber interiors, mouthwatering menu options, a fully stocked bar which includes our very own beer and a pet-friendly rear deck! Visit us today!