The Australian wine regions you've never heard of

The Granite Belt, Queensland

If you live outside the state of Queensland, the sunny place is somewhere you associate with theme parks, long sandy beaches and meter maids. But for all those who prefer a quiet night in with a glass of red over raging through surfer's night spots, there is something on offer for you.

The Granite Belt is the main wine region in Queensland and it is having a moment.

Named after the stunning prehistoric granite formations in the area, it has a cool climate and high altitude which creates award-winning wines.

It's been a long time since 1870, when the first grapes were planted by a Catholic priest to make church wine, but finally the Granite Belt is becoming a recognised region - with the help of respected wine critic James Halliday.

There are 40 boutique cellar doors with highly respected wine. The main players here are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Merlot - but even with a small percentage of plantings, Verdelho has made its mark.

Head to the Granite Belt to discover small can be beautiful.

[Source]

Out & about in the Granite Belt

Just a quick finish to my Stanthorpe photologue with some random 'out and about' photos...

[read more at Life at the Blunt End]

Family philosophy a technique worth bottling

WHEN you are a 70-year-old wine grower you could be forgiven for taking off your boots and savouring a long swig or two.

Not so for the godfather of the Queensland wine industry, Angelo Puglisi.

The affectionately-labelled patriarch from the Granite Belt jokes about being "semi-retired"

Yet in translation this hard working local means he has cut back to 12 hour days, seven days a week.

[read more at The Chronicle]

Wine Time in Granite Belt Country

It wasn’t that long ago that Queensland’s wine making industry was little more than a footnote to Australia’s world renowned vineyard culture.

It wasn’t that long ago that Julia Gillard was the Prime Minister of Australia either.

The point is this: things can change quickly.

The Queensland wine industry has matured in recent years; as a result, local makers have been increasingly recognised as producers of very good wines.

[read more at creativedrinks.com.au]

No sour grapes over list glitch

HARRINGTON Glen Estate Wines joins a string of local wineries to receive top marks from James Halliday in his latest review of the region.

The establishment was one of nine Granite Belt wineries to achieve four- and five-star ratings, but a glitch in the system saw them excluded from the accolades on the Wine Companion website.

[read more at The Border Post]

Eight wineries, lots of stars

EIGHT Granite Belt wineries have received top honours in James Halliday's recently-released 2014 Wine Companion.

Boireann Winery, Golden Grove Estate and Symphony Hill Wines all received five stars while Ballandean Estate Wines, Ravens Croft Wines, Ridgemill Estate, Tobin Wines and Twisted Gum Wines all picked up four stars.

NOTE: The Wine Companion website missed noting that Harrington Glen also received a 4 star rating.

[read more at The Daily News]

Review of Granite Belt Wines by Alan Hunter

Great write up of Granite Belt wines in the QWeekend Magazine by Alan Hunter this weekend (July 13-14 2013).