New Granite Belt Nature and Adventure Guide!

It's summer  - time to get outdoors! Our new Granite Belt Nature + Adventure Guide is perfect to show you how.

From climbing The Pyramid at Girraween National Park, 4wdriving through the amazing Sundown National Park, being mesmerised by waterfalls, catching an elusive Murray Cod, viewing stunning wildflowers, to cycling our country lanes there is a nature and adventure activity for you.

 The guide is your complete package to experiencing a holiday you won't forget. Be elevated now!

Need somewhere to stay - book a hot deal at www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au.

Summer School Holiday's is here! If you are after ideas for things to do with kids in the Granite Belt check out our latest Must Do List. They'll be entertained for days.

We also have some great pictures of local children having fun in the region this summer. Join them now!

Rumblefish returns this Weekend with Jimi Beavis

Savour the sounds of Blues at Bungawarra this weekend with the return of Rumblefish and Jimi Beavis.

On Sunday (11th) enjoy a session of swinging, finger-snapping blues from 2pm-5pm. Music lovers are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy fabulous wines.

Both bands boast musicians of excellence, from Rumblefish's 60s style blues to Jimi's 50s repertoire and with a combined experience of festivals including the Woodford Folk Festival, Sunshine Coast Blues Festival and the Australian Blues Festival in Goulburn, this is an event your shouldn't miss. More of the Good Life awaits you.

This is how to Spend Summer in the Granite Belt!

We spend summer in the Granite Belt with fabulous food, wine and fun!

To show the world a group of locals allowed us to photograph their day - today's blog showcases a couple of the images from the shoot.

For more great images check out our legendary photographer's blog post  http://coryrossiter.wordpress.com/

Over summer we will be showing you how Granite Belt residents live the "La Dolce Vita".

Why don't you escape the crowds this summer and live the Good Life too.

Destination Food finds Cheese and Lamb

James visited award winning Mallow Organic lamb.

Last weekend we had the pleasure of a visit from James (Destination Food) and his family.  Check out his blog and twitter page or the pics below show a few of his foodie discoveries.

During his stay James cooked up a dish of succulent Mallow Organic Lamb in hay and tried blue cheese from the Granite Belt Dairy.

James commented - what a wonderful smell...and how good is Penicillium mold? Blue Cheese from Granite Belt Dairy

The source of great cheese

Foodies Guide to...the Granite Belt

Have you checked out the latest edition of the Foodies Guide to Brisbane 2012. Ok - it's called the Brisbane Guide but author Karen Reyment couldn't resist taking you on a journey of foodie discover through the Granite Belt (Stanthorpe) region. Below are some top quotes from the publication.

Quart Pot Bakery  - Award-winning Waygu and mushroom (pies) is our pick: 5 kilograms of Waygu and 6 kilograms of local mushrooms are cooled down to become all kinds of wonderful.

The Bramble Patch - If you're still thinking of the Bramble Patch as jam makers, think again. This family outputs sixity product lines...

Jamworks of Glen Aplin - Sue Ingall has won so many awards for jam that she's stopped entering and now sponsors the awards herself...(psst! don't miss Ingall's glorious zucchini relish)


LiraH - Lirah vinegars are of outstanding quality.

Strawberry Fields - Why are Strawberry Fields strawberries so good? Because they're picked as red and ripe as possible.

Sutton's Juice Factory, Cidery and Distillery  - Definitely the best apple pie we've tasted.

Sam's Summit Fruit - Owner Sam Giacca is a local legend and is loved by all.

Castle Glen Australia - Give Musk Stick liquor a try - it's a liquid version of the lolly.

Vivienne's Cottage Spice Shop - there's quite a following for her chutneys.


Get the book now from leading bookstores.

Granite Belt pumped at Good Food and Wine

Did you get to the Good Food and Wine Show in Brisbane on the weekend? It was certainly a show not to be missed.

But in case you didn't, we thought we would put up an image or two of the event - including the Riedel Wine Theatre where wine guru Rob Hicks presented Granite Belt wines. The below image is of Rob and Ewen of the award winning winery, Symphony Hill. To your right are keen wine punters catching up with Mark of Ravens Croft Wines.

The Granite Belt spent three days promoting the region's fantastic wine and food to thousands. And it seems the attendees had as much fun as we did.

As local tweeter and wine aficionado QWine said during the event,"The Granite Belt stand is pumping!"

Our image shows a sea of people in the Granite Belt section.

To those we had the pleasure of meeting - we hope to welcome you to the Granite Belt soon.

Taste Liftout Discovers the Wings of the Strange Bird Trail

Tuesday's Taste Liftout in the Courier Mail and other national newspapers discovered the wings of the Strange Bird.

The Strange Bird Alternative Wine Trail was applauded for its foresight and innovation - championing the alternative varieties that are growing in popularity every day.

Owner of Hidden Creek and one of the two founders of Strange Bird, Jim Barnes (pictured) said " Everyone has tasted Shiraz. This is pitched at a generation that likes to find new varieties and show what they've discovered to their friends."


The Liftout also included a special Top 100 Wines insert. Recommended wines from the Granite Belt included:

• Robert Channon 2011 Verdelho  - 91 points
• Symphony Hill Reserve 2010 Verdelho - 89 points
• Robert Channon 2011 Chardonnay - 90 points
• Ballandean Estate 2005 Late Harvest Sylvaner Gewurztraminer - 91 points

To discover the Strange Bird Alternative Wine Trail visit www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au

Poppies Galore on Channel Ten

The Granite Belt is bursting with Spring blossoms, but by far the most beautiful and poignant is the Remembrance Field of poppies at Helwigs.

Faye Helwig is dedicated to recognising November's poppy month, the time of year when we remember those who sacrificed their lives in battle.

The Remembrance Field is open free of charge to anyone who wishes to drive in at 113 Mt. Stirling Road, Glen Aplin to view and photograph the poppies.

Feeling nostalgic - this month when you visit the Granite Belt take the Armistice Way Tourist Drive through the hamlets of Amiens, Messines, Bapaume, Passchendaele, Bullecourt, Pozieres and Fleurbaix, which are named after World War I battlefields and were initially solider settlements for returning heroes of World War I.

Check out Channel 10 tonight to learn more about the Remembrance Field and its owner Fay Helwig. Our images show their visit yesterday.

Azjure inducted into Hall of Fame

It doesn't get any higher in terms of state tourism awards than the Queensland Tourism Awards Hall of Fame.

Last week, Azjure Studio Retreat near Ballandean achieved such an accolade after winning the award for Deluxe Accommodation for the third time running.

Owners Cathryn and Ross are now getting ready for the Australian Tourism Awards. They were highly commended last year so watch this space!

Ultra-exclusive and luxurious, Azjure features just three very modern, stylish and fully self-contained eco-sensitive spa studios.

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy a stay at this award winning property as it is surrounded by a stunning field of flowers (check out our image above!).

For further information or to make a booking visit http://www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au/

Spring into Raspberry Vinegar

Spring, particularly race week, is all about sparkling wine and sensational fresh food.

The perfect accompaniment for many Spring dishes is Bramble Patch's award winning Raspberry Vinegar (a couple of posts ago we mentioned their win at the Hobart and Melbourne Fine Food awards).

Our image today is of owner of Bramble Patch, Don Stirling bottling the next batch of this superb vinegar.

His daughter, Hayley Pfeiffer said the award wins were a result of their dedication to continuous improvement and product quality for their customers.

“We already have great support from our customers and distributors, but now they can be assured they are buying some of the best gourmet vinegar in Australia.”

“Following a Bronze at the 2010 Sydney Fine Food Awards we tweaked the recipe a little in 2011 which certainly paid off,” said Ms Pfieffer.

Made from fresh raspberries from the Bramble Patch farm, as well as sourced from other Granite Belt growers, the raspberry vinegar is perfect for the upcoming summer.

“Drizzle over a green leaf salad, serve with fresh salmon, use as a reduction with succulent BBQ Waygu beef, or you can even add it to soda water.”

Sounds good - visit our website to discover how to get your hands on a delectable bottle of Raspberry Vinegar or one of their other 60 gourmet products!

We have Cabernet and Chardonnay Covered Too!

The Granite Belt has also been busy producing outstanding Cabernet and Chardonnay too!

Last week, Harrington Glen Estate (Pictured above) received one of the three Gold medals awarded to Queensland Wineries at the Australian Small Winemakers Show for their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon.It also won Best Queensland Red. 

Owner of Harrington Glen Wines, Glen Ireland was completely taken aback when the 'Best Queensland Red Wine' was awarded.

"This is the second time that Harrington Glen has won this award, also securing it for our 2007 vintage," she said.

"It takes great fruit to make great wine, but we are very thankful to a young but extremely talented winemaker Stephen Oliver."

Also enjoying success at ASWS was Girraween Estate (formerly Bald Mountain) - taking Gold and Best Queensland White for their 2011 Chardonnay. An amazing result considering it was the very first time they had entered!

Symphony Hill, which has been achieving outstanding success (see below blog) was awarded the Most Successful Queensland Exhibitor Trophy with one gold, one silver and five bronze, plus the Award for Techinical Excellence in Queensland Winemaking.

The Australian Small Winemakers is a highlight of the Australian show circuit and attracts boutique producers from all arouns Australia and New Zealand. The quality of the wines was very good this year with 1750 wines entered.

Medals and trophies were selected by a panel of industry expert judges under the Chairmanship of David Morris of Morris of Rutherglen.

Symphony Shiraz Shows Off @ Royal Melbourne

Symphony Hill Wines and Granite Belt Wine Country are asking are they witnessing the birth of an icon?

Symphony Hills' 2008 Reserve Shiraz has firmly placed itself amongst the ranks of Australia's wine elite taking Top Gold at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show and was also one of four finalists nominated for the Best Rhone Style or Shiraz trophy and the prestigious Douglas Seabrook Single Vineyard Trophy.

Producing outstanding Shiraz is becoming an iconic habit for Symphony Hill. They have released three vintages of Reserve Shiraz and every one has been awarded gold at either Royal Sydney or Royal Melbourne.

Owner, Ewen Macpherson (Picture - Left) is over the moon noting, "To see our winery's name up on the screen at the Trophy Presentation dinner was a thrill that is hard to describe - and to see it twice for trophies was sublime."

Symphony Hills' Chief Winemaker (Picture - Right) said "Our Reserve Shiraz is an elegant cool climate style of wine reminiscent of the great Shiraz wines from the south of France.

"It has enchanting aromas of raspberry, white pepper with notes of cinnamon and nutmeg; there are lashings of rich bold juicy fruit characters in the mid-palate with a hint of liquorice and its delightfully balanced on the finish."

Buy it now and discover how the Granite Belt is fast becoming one of Australia's premium wine producers.

For more information on Symphony Hill visit our website.

Granite Belt Food and Wine Fit for a Queen

What food and wine is fit for a Queen? Granite Belt of course.

Today Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh savoured Granite Belt Goats' cheese while touring the Brisbane River on board Pure Adrenalin, a 27m luxury catamaran. This was just one of the delicacies developed for the royal party by the Stamford Plaza Hotel's head pastry chef Edith Fitzsimmons.

At another reception the Queen and Prince Philip sipped and savoured three Granite Belt wines -Robert Channon Wines’ Sparkling Chardonnay and Verdelho, and Golden Grove’s Tempranillo (a Strange Bird variety).

Robert Channon said “It is a great honour and recognition for Queensland’s Granite Belt that it is providing the three wines that are being served at the function that the Queen is attending in Brisbane. We are absolutely thrilled that two of them are our wines."

The Robert Channon Wines Sparkling Chardonnay won a gold medal and the Trophy for the National Champion Sparkling Wine at last year’s Australian Small Winemakers Show.

Our wine and food speak for themselves, but  to truly ensure the Granite Belt was represented on this significant day iconic owner of Ballandean Estate, Angelo Puglisi had the honour of meeting the Queen at a special function hosted by the Governor. What an experience. We just hope Angelo managed a bow and not his normal Italian double kiss!

Image - Robert and Peggy Channon with a bottle of their famous Verdelho!

GRANITE BELT NOW HOME TO ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST LUXURIOUS GLAMPING TENTS

Like camping and sleeping under the stars but need a bit of luxury...make that a lot of luxury?

The Granite Belt has entered a new world of glamping (camping) indulgence with the opening of Alure Boutique Villa’s Luxury Tent.

An Australian first, the tent comes with every convenience you would expect from a five star villa and provides a never imagined camping experience.

The secluded 56 m2 African safari tent is best described as a tented villa. The interior was cleverly designed by Stanthorpe architect Alwin Haagner from Alwin Architects and lavishly decorated by renowned Brisbane designer John Glynn from The Design House.

Imagine a tent with:

• Fabric draped four poster bed complete with king sized pillow topped ensemble and luxurious bed linen
• Mood lighting at your fingertips
• Full kitchen with European appliances including the best in espresso coffee machines with seriously good coffee
• Full bathroom with an illuminated Hansa Clear Lux Duo shower system, heated towel rails, fluffy towels and every product you would ever need including L'Occitane toiletries and a GHD hair straightener (camping is no longer an excuse for a bad hair day!)
• Eco fireplace and ducted air-conditioning for perfect climate control
• Entertainment centre with a 50” plasma flatscreen TV, stereo and iPod dock
• Laundry facilities with washing machine, iron and ironing board (if you must)
• Outdoor decks complete with a bbq and entertaining area and a private outdoor spa
• And even a chandelier!

Respecting the environment and guest comfort it has been insulated, designed and positioned for maximum passive solar efficiency. Rain water is captured and used throughout, with waste water recycled for use on the landscaped gardens.




Located in the stunning high country of the Granite Belt only five minutes from Stanthorpe, Alure’s luxury tented villa is surrounded by spectacular granite rock and natural bush which provides a perfect haven for kangaroos, koalas, birds and other wildlife.

Imagine enveloping yourself in the unique combination of luxury and nature – seeing wildlife from your four poster bed, lounging on the deck with a glass of local award winning wine or soaking up under the Milky Way in the outdoor heated spa – it’s a perfect getaway.

So don’t put up with outdoor bathrooms and camping kitchens, experience Alure's version of camping in style today!

To celebrate the tent's opening Alure are offering a special $100 Off Introductory Offer - $395 per night on weekends (Fri – Sun) and $345 on weekdays (Mon – Thurs). Valid until 16 December 2011. (Normal rate $495 per night on weekends (Fri – Sun) and $445 on weekdays (Mon – Thurs))

To find out more or to make a booking visit at www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au .

Music Madness - It's Big and Brassy

This Sunday (16 October), don't miss Robert Channon's Annual Brass and Wine - a free jazz and brass band concert.

Enjoy big sounds and sultry music with award winning wine overlooking the picturesque Singing Lake.

The Ormiston College Jazz Band blow everyone away every year with their fantastic sound. They are back again this year with another jazz group, Bird’s Apprentices. Add to the mix the Stanthorpe Brass Band and it is going to be a musical feast.

There will be food all day from their Singing Lake Café and of course, plenty of wine. The Café will be serving a new Spanish-influenced tapas menu…. and don’t forget the jugs of Sangria to go with it.

Music will begin at about 11am.

If classical is more your scene, young pianist Imogen Scott-Parker will be performing at Music in the Gallery. Imogen, who started playing when she was four, has won numerous awards and is one of Queensland’s most talented young musicians. Entry by gold coin donation.

On the Road - Tasting in Toowoomba

It's only 15 days until we hit the road for the Granite Belt Wine Tasting Roadshow at Toowoomba's Empire Theatre, 26 October 2011.

Everyone is getting exited including U Magazine of the Courier Mail - check out their article left.

The event will provide consumers and trade with the opportunity to taste more than 90 boutique wines (yes, 90!) and meet our fantastic winemakers who are carving out an impressive reputation for the Granite Belt.

We are fast becoming one of Australia’s premium wine regions, combining much-sought after granite terroir, cool climate and high altitude to create national and international award winning wines.

BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE NOW.  Tickets are only $25 and include wine tasting, a complimentary wine tasting glass and canapés. 6pm-8pm.

Trade and media are invited to a preview showing between 2.30pm-4pm.

For more information and tickets visit www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au

The Race that Stops the Granite Belt

Yesterday's opening of Damien Oliver's fantastic movie The Cup has got us excited about racing. There is nothing like the action of thoroughbreds racing to the finish line - what an adrenaline rush!

This Saturday, 15 October, be a part of the action at the Annual Stanthorpe Cup Day!

The Stanthorpe Cup has established a firm place on the annual social calendar for locals and visitors alike. The mix of keen racing, fashion, activities for children, marquee lunches and the chance to sample some of Queensland’s finest wines are key elements of this big day out.

So get your hats and facinators out - there's a chance you could win up to $800 Fashions in the Field vouchers - and head out to Armstrong Park for a fantastic day out with friends.

Live band "PUSH" will provide entertainment after the races until 8pm.Gates open at 10am  See website for further information and tickets - book an exclusive spot under the Marquee or the Reserved Luncheon. www.wineracing.org

Granite Belt Cabernet Gains National Attention

In terms of wine awards, the Cabernet category would have to be the most hotly contended in Australia. It is the King of Australian wines.

For this reason, we are extremely excited that Granite Belt winery, Granite Ridge has been awarded 5 stars (Gold) and Queensland’s 2011 highest rated wine for their 2009 Top Block Cabernet by leading national wine magazine Winestate.

The achievement has placed Granite Ridge as one of Australia’s leading producers of Cabernet.

Editor of Winestate Peter Simic noted that Winestate’s 5 star rating was harder to win that any Gold medal in Australia. More than 11 000 wines are judged each year from Australia and New Zealand – equivalent to the Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney wine shows combined.

Granite Ridge’s Cabernet is now in the running for Best Cabernet of the Year, and the highly contested Winestate Wine of the Year Awards.

Established in 1995, Granite Ridge Wines is a boutique winery dedicated to sustainable vineyard practices and producing distinctive wines which are a true expression of where they are made. 

Owners, Dennis and Julianne (pictured) were ecstatic about the rating recognition - and so they should be!

“We were extremely proud when last month our Cabernet won Gold at the Queensland Wine Awards, but this secures our position at a national level.”  

The Queensland results and the Wine of the Year results will feature in Winestate’s special Wine of Year edition in December 2011.

To learn more about Granite Belt Wine Country and its award winning wineries visit www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au. 

Are you a Creator or a Consumer?

Have you ever had the chance to cook South African cuisine? Expand your food repertoire and join Banca Ridge Cafe and Cellar Door on Friday 7 October for their South African Cooking Demonstration.

Executive Chef Andrew Simpson (pictured left) will take you through a cooking masterclass which will finish with a four-course meal prepared by Andrew and his team.  It will be a night of good food and wine and great fun. Bookings are essential - Only $50 per person with part proceeds going to Gianna Zanatta, McDonalds Apple & Grape Young Ambassador .

A lover of international cuisine but not really the cooking type! The Singing Lake Café, Robert Channon Wines, Spanish inspired spring menu maybe more your style.

Taste tapas of Granite Belt marinated Mt Stirling Manzanillo olives, Seville pate, olive tapenade, Spanish sardines, and a Basque soft baked cheese wheel; or for something more substantial try the Pyrenees Chicken. All are a perfect match for their famous Verdelho and Rosé. Or to really get into the Spanish mood, try their Sangria!

Fine Food and Fine Wine

We believe life it too short to eat and drink nothing but the best!

On Friday, we firmly cemented our position as Queensland’s premium wine region after winning seventeen out of nineteen trophies and gold medals at the 2011 Queensland Wine Awards.

Golden Grove's Durif, a Strange Bird alternative wine, was named overall champion wine of the show, and also took a gong as champion alternative red. The success of Golden Grove continued winning Queensland Winery of the Year, and owner Mr Sam Costanzo, was awarded Queensland Viticulturist of the Year.

When announcing the awards earlier Chief Judge, Neil McGuigan of McGuigan Wines, Hunter Valley, praised the Strange Bird alternative red varieties, mentioning both Durif and Petit Verdot as highlights. This is the first year the awards have been separated into mainstream and alternative varieties, reflecting the surging popularity and quality of the Granite Belt’s aptly named Strange Bird alternative wines, which have been enjoyed in Europe for generations. 

But the Granite Belt is not just about wine... our food producers continue to rack up medals too. Many of you know a visit to the Granite Belt must include the Bramble Patch - connoisseurs of jams, sauces, jellies, marmalades, coulis, chutney's, pickles, relishes, pastes, vinegars and their famous ice-cream!

Bramble Patch's food excellence was rewarded this month, winning 11 medals at this year's Melbourne, Sydney and Hobart Fine Food Awards. With more than 1000 entries at the Melbourne Show alone, securing gold is a fantastic achievement. Judges favourites included their Red Capsicum Relish, Apricot and Macadamia Paste, Raspberry Vinegar, and sizzling Hot Lime Pickle.

Tantalise your taste buds today!

Granite Belt wines Noosa Style

There is no doubt that Noosa certainly punches above its size when it comes to exceptional dining experiences - achieving exceptional results in the latest Australia Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards Guide.

But Noosa Style magazine tells readers that when enjoying a meal in one of their fabulous restaurants experience an award winning wine, acclaimed by James Halliday, from the Granite Belt.

"When the legendary James Halliday refers to Queensland as having some excellent wine with the 'red wines (Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon) fairing the best', it's surely time that everyone takes note."

Noosa Style also took a fancy to one of our favourite quotes by the James Halliday Wine Companion, "this year outposts such as Queensland's Granite Belt and New South Wales' Southern Highlands and Hilltops stand shoulder to shoulder with the Hunter and Barossa valleys, Rutherglen, Langhorne Creek and the Mornington Peninsula."

So next time you ask for the wine list, select a Granite Belt wine and discover what the connoisseurs already know.

Thanks Noosa!

A Bike with an Engine and Outdoor Concert more your style?

Continuing our bike blog theme - for those who prefer a bike with an engine the Granite Belt has you covered too!

Next weekend, Sunday 24 September, Wallangarra plays host to the Border Bike and Custom Car Show + Outdoor Concert.

The event will feature an amazing array of cars and bikes in more than twenty categories including best Ute, best, Harley, best British, best rat, best 8 cyl, best European, best interior..and don't forget the best loudest car!
                                 
A massive line of bands will create one the Granite Belt's largest concerts with Lord of Wongs, Phil Emmanuel and Band, Cashville (the Johnny Cash Show), Legless, Kerry Kennedy + Double Barrel, Mark Cashin + Lil Hussys and more. Bring along a chair or blanket and enjoy the tunes.

The family is not forgotten with jumping castles, side show alley, train rides, clowns and for the big kids at heart a new 3D V8 Supercar simulator.

And, the event supports a great cause with donations going to the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation.

Gates open at 7am for entrants and 9am for public access. There is limited FREE camping on Saturday (non powered) or check out www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au for great accommodation options.

For further information and ticket prices visit www.bbccs.org.au

It's all About the Bike - $50K Bikeway Grant Announced for the Granite Belt

 This week the Granite Belt is all about the bike. On the day that more than 800 Cycle Queensland cyclists rolled into Stanthorpe, the  Minister for Tourism, Manufacturing and Small Business Jan Jarratt announced a $50 000 Minor Tourism Infrastructure Grant towards construction of a 34km bikeway between Stanthorpe and Ballandean.

“Cycle tourism is a strong growth market and the Stanthorpe to Ballandean Bikeway has been a long-term vision of the local business community and tourism industry,” Ms Jarratt said.

Winding along our country lane-ways, the bikeway will start at the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre and finish up at Accommodation Creek crossing, Sundown Road, Ballandean. Along the way there will be signage, rest stops, covered picnic areas and detours to wineries, cafes, restaurants and other attractions.

Already experiencing the cycle benefits of the region, our 800 visitors are enjoying a rest day of wine and tours after a challenging ride from Texas. (Our picture today is some of the 'very fit' first arrivals)

Games and Gamekeepers

It's games and gamekeepers for Primavera this weekend.

Ballandean Estate’s Gamekeepers Dinner is one of the festival's must do events. On Saturday, Chef Matt Wells will present a five course dinner featuring game meats, perfectly matched with Ballandean’s wines.

Guests who were lucky enough to secure a ticket will enjoy decadent mushroom and truffle soup, venison carpaccio, rabbit ragu with gnocchi, asparagus and goats curd, confit duck with gorgonzola polenta, green beans and muscatel jus. The gastronomic night finishs with a strawberry pannacotta with balsamic muddled strawberries and burnt orange cream. Our taste buds are salivating.

Not far way it will be a weekend of fun, games and wine at Pyramids Road Wines. Teams of four, decked out in hilarious costumes (our images are of some of last year's participants), will test their wine knowledge while tasting wines from around the world. Starting strong is one thing..but who will last the wine distance?

Primavera has not forgotten about our younger visitors. The little ones can shout ahoy sailor and watch Captain Hook walk the plank at a pantomime of CAPTAIN HOOK’S REVENGE. On at Stanthorpe's Little Theatre until Saturday 10 September.

Getting High on the Granite Belt

We promise an elevated experience in the Granite Belt. Our artists and winemakers are certainly experiencing it at Art on Amiens, part of the Granite Belt Primavera Festival 2011.

Art on Amiens is an art trail showcasing some of the finest contemporary art the Granite Belt has to offer on show at galleries, wineries and food artisans throughout Amiens. Participating artists include Laurie Astill, Pat and Tom Benkendorff, Maggie Brockie, Keith Cameron, Linda Clutterbuck, Margaret Dowe, Chris Fletcher, Sue Jurd, Sandra McEwan, Maryke Miller, Bent and Eva Rasmussen, Michael Pieper, and Fay Roselt.

The above picture is Mark from Ravenscroft Wines, getting extremely comfortable in the latest addition to his winery - a massive wrought iron chair by artist Keith Cameron - with a glass of his favourite red wine in hand.

We are also loving Keith's artistic work on display at Castle Glen (left) - it's a rather regal affair!

Join us at the opening of Art on Amiens tomorrow at Nest Gallery. To go on this artistic journey simply download the trail brochure or pick up a copy from the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre,  and follow the red banners along Amiens Road and adjoining roads.

Celebrate Father's Day @ Primavera's Musical Feast

The first weekend of the Granite Belt Primavera Festival 2011 is all about musical tunes from blues, to jazz, country and rock n roll. It's the perfect way to spend Father's Day!

Rock your socks off at Lucas Estate's annual Rock N Roll in the Vineyard, Sunday 4 September. Tickets include a commemorative glass filled with Lucas Estate's fantastic wine - a perfect present for Dad.

The tranquil surrounds of Bungawarra Winery are set for a shake up when young Brisbane blues act Rumblefish head up stream to the Granite Belt for Blues@Bungawarra. The band will be kicking off Saturday at 2pm. So come along and bring a picnic lunch.

Join the Singing Lake Cafe at Robert Channon Wines on Father's Day for a delightful day of jazzy croons and tunes from Aperitif Jazz ensemble with Teri Welles. Enjoy the sultry sounds while sipping one of Australia's best Verdelho's overlooking the winery's stunning lake.

Experience a weekend of country music at the annual Stanthorpe Country Music Stampede. Get down to wake-up and professional artists including Chad Morgan, Sharon Benjamin, Gary Fogarty, Reg Poole and Rod Williams. Teenages - sign up for the Teenage country idol competition.

So grab the family (don't forget Dad!) and head up the mountain for a truly special weekend.

And, of course, make sure you indulge in our award winning wine and food, offering numerous options for Father's Day breakfast, lunch or dinner.

For more information on each event check out www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au

The tranquil surrounds of Bungawarra Winery are set for a shake up on Saturday 3 September. Young Brisbane blues act Rumblefish will be leaving their familiar waters and heading up stream to the Granite Belt alps, for the Primavera Festival Blue@Bungawarra.

Rumblefish approach blues from a unique vantage point, born from 4 years spent backing the unconventional blues legend Blind Dog Donnie.

As vocalist/guitarist James Pryce-Davies puts it, “We try to stay away from the mid tempo shuffles and other 'classics' which are the standard fare for many pub blues bands.”

The band instead focuses on serving up a feisty brew which pushes blues to its outer limits, incorporating most of the major musical styles of the last 50 years.

Though a young band there is a lot of experience with the guys having played everywhere from bikie halls, indian restaurants, all manner of pubs and festivals such as Woodford Folk Festival, Sunshine Coast Blues Festival and West End Carnivale.

Whilst Brisbane based the band are not strangers to the Granite Belt or it's famous wineries.

“I've spent a lot of time visiting family and friends up in Stanthorpe. I'm really excited to be able to show them what the band can do,” says drummer, Alex Smith.

The band will be kicking off at 2pm with things wrapping up at 5pm. So come along, bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it in the beautiful scenery of the Bungawarra Winery. Weather won't be a problem with both indoor and outdoor venues available.

For more information visit www.granitebeltwinecountry.com.au