Granite Belt Wines Lead Les Grand Vins 2010

This Wednesday the Mercure Hotel in Brisbane launches its 2010 Grand Vins Mercure, a wine list dedicated to showcasing Queensland's increasingly attractive wines.

The Mercure believes it is the first major hotel group in Queensland to take the State's local wines seriously. The 2010 line-up of nine wines, includes six from the Granite Belt.  The dominance of  wine from this region reflects its reputation as the Queensland wine capital. 

The launch of the Queensland Grands Vins list is part of a national roll-out of the concept which features state-based lists. Internationally, Mercure has been offering Grands Vins selections in Europe since 1983. Accor group Regional General Manager Queensland, Neil Scanlan, said that what is really important with the Grands Vins wine list is the pricing.  "We want to dispel the myth that good wine is only associated with high-end restaurants and high-end prices."

Join the early adopters at Mercure Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns to sample the new Grands Vins selection which features wines from Stanthorpe producers Heritage Estate, Symphony Hill Wines, Felsberg Winery, Tobin Wines, Golden Grove Estate and Ballandean Estate.  Other Queensland wines are from Mt Tamborine Vineyard, Witches Falls and Clovely Estate and the selection changes twice a year.

The selection includes Granite Belt Strange Birds Pinot Gris, Sylvaner and Tempranillo.

Viva Italia on Queensland's Granite Belt

Open the phone book in Stanthorpe today and you could be mistaken for thinking you were in Sicily!  The town known as the coolest place in Queensland also has a well-earned reputation as the Queensland wine capital.

The formation of the wine industry began in the late 1800s at the behest of the local catholic priest, an Italian by the name of Fr Jerome Davadi.  The Italian - and wine - legacy  lives on and this year the Granite Belt region is a focus for the 2010 Italian Week celebrations. Two events celebrating the Italian culture and heritage will be held on the Granite Belt, making it a great time to come and say ciao to a local:

• Italian Motor Vehicle Rally to Stanthorpe 22 & 23 May
• Jon English and Peter Cupples "Unscrewed" at Qld College of Wine Tourism Dinner and Show Sunday 23 May

In the words of the Consul, Dr Francesco Capecchi, "Today Italians are an integral part of Queensland life..." and in this multi-cultural corner of the sunshine state we owe a great deal of our wine and food culture to those migrants who chose to settle on the Granite Belt.  Grazie!

These two events are in association with the Italian Immersion Program students at Stanthorpe State high School. 2010 Italian Week 22 May: 2 June - online bookings available.

Brrrrr! Brass Monkey weather hits the Granite Belt, -5 overnight

The traditional white frosts and prospect of sleet and snow draws thousands of visitors to Stanthorpe each year. The Granite Belt Wine & Tourism staff supervisor, Jane Miller (pictured), takes official readings each day at 9am and 3pm. This collected data is entered into the official Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) records and displayed in the visitors centre. If you are heading to the Granite Belt pack some warm clothing, because as one ABC journalist stated "Stanthorpe is Queensland's capital of cool!". For more Granite Belt weather information pop over to the Granite Belt Wine Country weather page.

Canberra lodges a vote of confidence in Queensland wine

Nine months after a selection of the Granite Belt's finest wines was despatched to Mr Rudd's cellar master, a healthy delivery has been made for one Queensland winemaker. 

Stanthorpe-based Robert & Peggy Channon (pictured) have just received an order for their 2009 Verdelho for inclusion on the Federal Parliament wine list. The initial sample range of Granite Belt wines despatched to the Lodge last June, following a media furore when it was revealed that the PM's wine cellar contained no wine from his own state of origin. This was despite the fact that a Queensland chardonnay had been nominated Winestate Wine of the Year a few months earlier. 

This week's news is gratification for Granite Belt Wine & Tourism who sent the sample pack last year. It seems someone in Canberra has finally noted what Australia's top wine writers recognise, that the best Granite Belt wines deserve a place on the national stage!

Red Carpet for Postcards Australia

Hot on the heels of a recent film crew from Queensland's premier travel TV programme, this morning Postcards Australia flew into Stanthorpe aerodrome.

They are the latest media to run with the story on the new fly-in tours to the Queensland wine capital being offered by Sunshine Aviation out of Archerfield in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.


Moments after the red carpet was rolled out again, Granite Belt Wine & Tourism's Michele Cozzi popped the cork on a chilled bottle of local sparkling Chardonnay.  The activity was all to celebrate the landing of Win TV's top rated national travel show.  The film crew were here to film a six minute segment for series two of the hit show.

This was the first visit to the Queensland wine capital for presenter Susie Elelman, who said the ground temperature made her realise why the Granite Belt has a reputation as the coolest place in Queensland. Shortly after the aircraft landed Susie did a telephone interview with a Brisbane radio station who were also keen to report the new charter air service.

Susie and the film crew, together with pilot Cheryl Arentz were whisked off by tour bus for a day's filming throughout the region.  The story will broadcast nationally later in the winter.  [pictured from left: Michele Cozzi, Cheryl Arentz, Susie Elelman and Martin Weaver]

David Dines with Goliath

The University of Queensland chose hand-crafted wines from a boutique Stanthorpe producer to celebrate its 100th birthday.

In choosing wine from Twisted Gum Wines, the grand old dame of higher education in the sunshine state appears to have recognised that good wines, like a good education, combine technical excellence with a passion to perform.

The Granite Belt winery was asked to supply their 2009 Chardonnay and 2008 Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wines were served at a special lunch on 16th April as part of the University's Centenary Celebrations.  More than 300 guests joined the Vice Chancellor and the Governor of Queensland for the occasion.

The Granite Belt winery owners Tim and Michelle Coelli said the inclusion of their wines "provides an excellent example of how the quality of Queensland wines is now widely accepted."  The wines can also be found in Brisbane restaurants Cha Cha Char and Hillstone and in Toowoomba at Veraison and The Downs Club.

National First For Wine College

In establishing a training program for indigenous trainees, the Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT) has created another industry first.

With support from State and Commonwealth governments, trainees from the Granite Belt and South Burnett regions will undertake a Certificate II in Food Processing [Wine] whilst working with a host employer.

The college offers the rare combination for a training facility with its own vineyard, winery and cellar door; the Banca Ridge Bistro plus a conference and function centre.  The college is situated just outside the Stanthorpe CBD in the Queensland wine capital.

This particular program is believed to be a national wine industry first and offers the ten trainees with real experience with specialised training in a relatively short time. For information telephone Tim Pellatt on 07 4685 5050.