ROAD TRIP! A Few Frustrated City Types Head to the Granite Belt

Don't you just love last minute 'let's get out of here' plans?

Last weekend The Wine Punter decided on a 'spur of the moment Road Trip' weekend away with a group of friends and headed to the Granite Belt.

As he puts it..a few frustrated city types headed out to the country in search of some fresh air, starry skies and wine. Lots of wine.

Check out their travels and fun-filled shenanigans on you tube including stomping grapes, savouring gourmet food by flowing granite-lined rivers, and tasting new vintages straight from the barrel at Pyramids Road Wines.

There must be something in that country air. People are friendly, time slows down and conversations are never hurried. Everything appears more vibrant and smells, tastes and sensations are vivid.

This is a special place.  If you live in Brisbane, do yourself a favour.  Pack the car, load up the iPod with some driving tunes and head south-west.  You’ll feel all the better for it. 

Thanks Wine Punter!

The Granite Belt Has It In Spades

Want to discover more about the Granite Belt's growing insurgence in the wine industry? The March/April edition of the fabulous high-end magazine, Brisbane News features the region in Tony Harper's wine review.

Wine guru, judge and owner of The Wine Emporium, Harper notes,

Watching the Granite Belt come of age has been a wonder. I first traipsed its hills as a string bean fresh out of school more than two decades ago.

Even then there was cause to wonder amid the dross. But a visit today is a different story. It’s now a land with distinctive vinous subregions and a population of wine producers using its formidable attributes to fashion a startling and diverse array of wines.

The transition has spawned a great melting pot of styles and ideals. I am a great believer in the notion of a strongly discernible Granite Belt character as it is a region with pronounced terroir. But the coming of age of any region involves the breaking away of its participants and the forming of individuality within the markings of the region.

The Granite Belt has it in spades.

Check out the full edition online here

Granite Belt Shiraz Demand Grows in Taiwan

Queensland's oldest family owned and operated winery, Ballandean Estate, has announced they will be tripling their Shiraz exports to Taiwan.

Ballandean Estate has been exporting since 1991 and has continued to maintain a strong relationship with one particular customer in Taiwan.

“We have always enjoyed working with John and it is a pleasure to supply him with our wines,” said owner Angelo Puglisi.

Good news was received last week when the Taiwanese restaurateur advised Ballandean that he is set to expand his restaurant chain and was planning to create 10 more venues in the next 12 months.

He was keen to ensure that Ballandean Estate Wines would continue to provide the quality wines he believes have contributed to the success of his business.

‘We are confident that with the quality and quantity of Shiraz  we are going to produce this year, we will be able to meet the demand for our wines in Taiwan," said Angelo.

The increased order has provided Ballandean Estate Wines with a great confidence boost as they continue to rebuild after a devastating fire late last year.

It's onwards and upwards for 2012!

ABC Landline Showcases the Granite Belt

A few weeks ago we had the pleasure of a visit from ABC Landline's Pip Courtney and her fab camera and sound crew.

They were here to film UK's Wine Detective Sarah Ahmed who was visiting the region thanks to Wine Australia.

We had a fantastic couple of days full of great wine, vineyard exploring and many laughs including the time that Symphony Hill's Winemaker Mike Hayes managed to get Sarah to eat dirt! Well, how else do you truly get to know the region?

The show went to air yesterday but if you missed it visit ABC Landline.

Image - Landline and the Wine Detective interviewing Peter and Therese  Stark of Boireann.

Granite Belt + the Strange Bird Make Woman's Day Mag

This week make sure you pick up a copy of the Woman's Day magazine to read about the Granite Belt and the Strange Bird Alternative Wine Trail.

From Sonoma Valley in the USA, Languedoc-Roussillon in France, to the Granite Belt, Woman's Day urges you to 'Try a different drop' from a region you may not have visited before.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS TO ELEVATED TASTE - GRAZING THE GRANITE BELT

CALLING FOODIES + WINE LOVERS

The ultimate foodie and wine lover event is here! In the tradition of the Progressive-type Long Lunch the Granite Belt presents Elevated Taste - Grazing the Granite Belt, 21 + 22 April 2012.

This event is part of the A+ Australian Wine Celebration - a unique occasion for Australians to celebrate the great wine created in their own backyard, as well as the people and places whom provide an authenticity and diversity unlike any other wine producing nation in the world.

The Granite Belt promises a weekend of enjoying award winning wine, gourmet local produce and fabulous entertainment on a progressive graze. So get some friends together and experience a weekend you won’t forget!

Download the Elevated Taste Brochure for information on participating wineries, sensational menus, great wine options and the Grazing Bus (for those you don't won't to drive).
Book your tickets here!

FALL IN LOVE WITH FALL

Make sure you download our Autumn Guide
for things to do, what's on and
fabulous autumn recipes!

Fall in love with autumn and its rich colours, as the Granite Belt’s deciduous landscape turns golden. Inside the wine matures in golden oak barrels and outside fruit orchards become rivers of golden leaves. Locally we know it as the "Granite Belt Gold" season.

Autumn is harvest and vintage time in the Granite Belt - pick your own apples and celebrate as vineyards bring in their grapes.

There are also beautiful natural surroundings which can be enjoyed from the warmth of a fire, or by taking on the adventure and exploring the local scenery.

There is so much to do and see! Be sure to book your accommodation early as many flock to see our leaves turning or to attend one of our leading annual autumn events.

For peak foliage hues make sure you contact the Stanthorpe Visitor Information Centre for the latest news.

Before winter descends get out of the city and venture up the mountain to the Granite Belt. Experience the Granite Belt’s golden glow today.