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