ABC Radio Southern Queensland broadcasting from Stanthorpe

Celebrating the launch of the Brass Monkey Season, ABC Radio Southern Queensland will broadcast live from the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre on Wednesday morning, 1 June 2011.

David Iliffe and his team will be speaking with locals during their breakfast program. Brave souls who venture out will also be rewarded with a Service Club Great Mulled Wine Challenge, sausage sizzle, and rumour has it James Blundell may do a live rendition during his interview at 7.30am.

Pull on your boots, wrap a few scarves around your neck and join us from 5am.

Sausage and Souffle @ Lunch on Q

Foodies - can't get to the Granite Belt in the next few week? Devour our delectable produce and wine at a Lunch on Q venue in Brisbane. Until the 12 June, enjoy a two course lunch of Queensland's mouth-watering produce expertly matched with a glass of wine for just $35pp.

Roasted Granite Belt Rabbit Sausage and Granite Belt Blood Plum Soufflé are just a few of the dishes on offer from some of the State’s leading chefs, served with a glass of  Strange Bird Wine including Ballandean Estate’s 2009 Nebbiolo or a 2010 Summit Estate Pinnacle Marsanne Rousanne.

The event, the brainchild of Food Consultant and Queensland’s Food Fellow, Alison Alexander, brings top regional produce to the city.

See what's on offer at  hip restaurants including Restaurant 2, Three Bistro, Timmy's, Moda, Dish Bistro, Brent's the Dining Experience, Confit, Restaurant Lurleen's, Freestyle Tout Emporium, Mischo's and Rapide. See more online or book directly with the restaurant.

A Piece of the Pie

The wafting smell of Quart Pot Bakehouse is a tease sensation and reminds us today of the joy of slow cooked regional food.

Last month, Quart Pot won a swag of awards at the Queensland Baking Industry Bakery Show, beating Brisbane’s leading patisseries, including first prize for their melt in your mouth Wagyu mushroom pie, and another for their scrumptious apple pie.

Reinforcing their baking prowess, Quart Pot also claimed first prize for their sour dough and ciabatta breads.

Accrediting their achievement to using local produce, business owner Gabrielle Schnitzerling said, “we are so lucky to have such a wonderful food industry right here on the Granite Belt.” And we have to agree.

When was the last time you indulged in a pie?

First France, Now China - Sirromet take three GOLD at Beijing Wine Challenge

The Granite Belt’s reputation as a leading wine region soared yesterday when Sirromet won three gold medals at the Wine China Exhibition Show.

Owner Terry Morris claimed gold for Sirromet’s 2008 Signature Collection Shiraz Viognier, a 2009 Signature Collection Chardonnay, and a 2009 Le Sauvage 'Wild Yeast' Cabernet Shiraz.

Sirromet continues to push the boundaries with great success, Chief Winemaker Adam Chapman creating a difference with ‘wild yeast’ complexities.

The 'Wild Yeast' Cabernet Shiraz was produced from premium parcels of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz at Sirromet’s vineyard in Ballandean, and aged in French oak for 14 months before bottling.

China is Australia's fastest-growing wine market; Sirromet began exporting to China in 2008 and is excited about the increased brand credibility the medals will create.

Only weeks ago Sirromet took a gold medal for their Premium 2007 St Jude's Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon at the 2011 Challenge International du Vin Competition in France.

9 days, 570km, 1500 people ...pedalling out way

The 2011 Cycle Queensland event organisers have descended on the Granite Belt today, finalising activities for the arrival of more than 1500 cyclists on the 12-13 September.

The annual Cycle Queensland is a must do event on any cycle enthusiast’s calendar. This year, participants are encouraged to ‘saddle up for the Border Explorer and pedal away from the everyday’, travelling from Goondiwindi to Brisbane.

After riding from Goondiwindi via Texas, participants will spend their rest day in Stanthorpe, enjoying award winning wines, grazing Granite Belt produce and for those that just can’t get enough physical activity, bush walking in Girraween National Park.

We look forward to them 'dropping a gear' in our beautiful piece of Queensland. Want to know more www.bq.org.au

Tobin a Must Try!

U Magazine on Sunday tells us where to be seen, and what delectable delights to consume.

This week their 'must try place' is our very own Tobin Wines in Ballendean.

"Lovely wines," noted Food Editor Wendy Hall.

Tobin is certainly creating a stir in the media this week - see our last post citing impressive accolades from NZ Let's Travel magazine.

Isn't it time you visited the Granite Belt and consumed some Tobin.

NZ Let's Travel Magazine Discovers 10 Reasons to visit the Granite Belt

Only 10 - we could think of 1000 reasons for you to visit the Granite Belt. But we have to admit NZ Magazine Let’s Travel writer Tiana Templeman's journey of discovery is the perfect way to spend a weekend or week in the 'Capital of Cool'.

1. Seek out a Strange Bird
Strange Birds have no feathers, don’t know how to fly, only come in two colours – red or white – and live in a bottle. Confused? Don’t be. These Strange Birds are Granite Belt wines made from alternative grape varieties.

2. Art in a bottle
Winemaker Adrian Tobin is an artist at heart - something that’s reflected in the beautiful labels on his individually numbered bottles of wine... and a cellar door where each tasting comes in a fresh Riedel-style glass.

3. How do you like them apples?
Suttons Juice Factory and Cidery is exactly that, an unassuming shed filled with some of the most delicious apple goodies you’ve ever tasted. ‘Some people drive from Brisbane just for the pie.’

4. Nude food
Nude Food isn’t a cooking course for naturists – it’s a self-guided food trail linking the pleasure of good food with a commitment to the local community and natural environment. Pick up a brochure at the Visitor Centre in Stanthorpe then hit the road in search of tasty treats like farmhouse cheeses, fresh strawberries, award winning jams and handmade chocolates.

5. Cute or contemporary - the choice is yours
The Granite Belt has some beautiful B&Bs, but if you prefer more contemporary accommodation then ‘31 the rocks’ is for you. They consider things like the complimentary in-room liqueur served with pretty handmade chocolates as ‘standard’, but this place is anything but standard.

6. The Bramble Patch
Everyone – whether they’re seven or 77 - raves about this berry farm located at the end of a winding country road in Glen Aplin. Taste your way through the range of over 50 gourmet products.

7. Mt Stirling Olives
Olive aficionados will appreciate the vast array of products – Mt Stirling Olives is one of the few places outside Europe you can buy (and try) traditional salt dried olives.

8. Indulge with some fine shiraz
Shiraz Bistro & Wine Bar is more ‘city fine dining’ than ‘country bistro’ except for one thing - the prices listed on the menu, which is very smart indeed.

9. Winemaker for a Weekend
Modern wine production isn’t voodoo practiced in dark and musty cellars hidden from the public eye... especially not at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism which runs an interactive Winemaker for a Weekend course.

10. Celebrate, participate
Granite Belt locals love a celebration! Whether you’re into food, wine, music, art, culture or sport there’s sure to be an event to suit.


Read the full article and discover more reasons to visit!

The Queen of Sleeping and Eating around Queensland visits the Granite Belt

Acclaimed Sunday Mail Short Breaks writer Alison Cotes, affectionately known as the ‘Queen of sleeping and eating around Queensland’, topped the town with a visit to the Granite Belt this week.

Hosted by the Top of the Town Tourist Park, Alison’s visit focused on the budget and self catering market, and attracting visitors’ mid-week during our busy Brass Monkey season.

Alison ferreted out budget options including fabulous home-made food and craft from our local Country Women’s Association. She also enjoyed a delicious and hearty meal of angel-haired pasta with chilli prawns at Happy Valley Retreat, washed down with a superb 2007 Cab Sauv from Harrington Glen.

Noting the Granite Belt as “one of her favourite haunts”, Alison promised to be back again before Spring after a sojourn overseas.

Alison shares a glass with Michele Cozzi, Granite Belt Wine and Tourism

Galloping Gourmet Traveller rides into Granite Belt

The lady who writes for Gourmet Traveller and delivers food writing workshops Karen Reyment is the latest journo to stalk Stanthorpe food producers. Aside from delivering a workshop in Stanthorpe this week, her other current mission is to research producers for inclusion in the new SBS Foodies Guide to Brisbane (and surrounds). We were very excited to learn that this is to become an annual edition!

Karen is passionate about food, writing, more food and food writing. Her Food Tales creative writing workshop will be held at Stanthorpe Library on Wednesday 4 May 10-12.30am in conjunction with the State Library of Queensland.