Ballandean’s 10kms of Rare Variety Wine Adventure
The 10km stretch of Queensland road that intersects the tiny village of Balladean, Qld is where wine adrenalin junkies can get their fix on exciting rare and alternate wine varieties! In the elevated terroir of the Granite Belt, winemakers specialise in rare varieties – known here as Strange Bird wines…
From Symphony Hill Wines on Eukey Road in the east and along the 10km stretch heading west to Ballandean Estate Wines Sundown Road, find 8 exciting wine stops – each with an alternative wine variety story to tell.
Alternate Taste ‘Strange Bird Wines’
To be called an “alternative”, a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia. Enjoyed in Europe for generations these alternative varieties are now emerging as Australian favourites due to their ability to match perfectly with food and the Granite Belt is becoming renowned for them.
1. Symphony Hill Wines
A wine adventure into Strange Bird varieties… Alvarinho, Fiano, Gewurtztraminer, Montepulciano, Nero d’Avola, Saperavi
Learn how to pronounce the name of this wine before you drink too much of it – it sure is a tricky one! It’s Symphony Hill Wines‘ Royal Melbourne Top Gold medal winning Gewurztraminer!
Right from the beginning Symphony Hill have pursued exciting new varieties, planting 40 varieties in a Research & Development block right and working with local growers to plant out exciting new varieties. Season depending your visit will include wines takes like Lagrein, Nebbiolo, Fiano or Barrel Fermented Gewurztraminer.
TIP: While you’re there, discover their flagship Reserve Shiraz which was served to the royal couple when they visited Brisbane in April 2014.
Plus have a Business Class wine experience, tasting their three wines which are currently being served on Qantas Business Class flights: 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon; 2016 Reserve Nero d’Avola and 2018 Gewurztraminer.
Open 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm
Location: Symphony Hill Wines, 2017 Eukey Rd, Ballandean
2. Twisted Gum Wines
A wine adventure into Strange Bird variety… Verdelho
The 1920’s Queenslander that is the Twisted Gum Wines cellar door is such a delightful place to be introduced to Twisted Gum’s premium wines. Tim and Michelle Coelli only source grapes from their own vineyard and using sustainable practices includes maintaining a dry-grown vineyard (no irrigation).
Discover their Verdelho/Semillon 2017, described as “an attractive blend, the generous tropical fruit flavours of Verdelho are a perfect complement to the fresh citrus flavours of Semillon, producing an attractive crisp white wine that is complex yet refined.”
TIP: Also check out their hugely popular classic Italian-style Pink Moscato!
Open Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm
Location: 2253 Eukey Rd, Ballandean
3. Hidden Creek Vineyard & Cafe
A wine adventure into Strange Bird variety… Verdelho, Viognier and Tempranillo
At Hidden Creek Vineyard & Cafe winemaker Andy Williams serves the alternate white varieties Verdelho and Viognier and also a very temping red Tempranillo.
Or for something a little different in wine country, indulge in a wine cocktail: try their Blood Orange Wine Spritzer (Moscato based), White Wine Mojito (White wine, Lemonade & diced mint) or Tinto De Verano (Red Wine & Lemon/Lime Bitters – Simple Sangria).
The cellar door cafe with its enclosed terrace and alfresco dining is very popular, offering gourmet platters, picnic baskets to share in the vineyard or full meals created with local ingredients (think local lamb and seasonal Granite Belt vegetables, yum!)
View the menu. The Hidden Creek Winery Café is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday for lunch. Reservations are essential.
Location: Hidden Creek Vineyard & Cafe, 2253 Eukey Rd, Ballandean
Open Sat-Sun 10am – 4pm
4. Just Red Wines
A wine adventure into Strange Bird variety… Tannat
Red wine lovers have found their little piece of paradise at Just Red Wines, where winemakers Tony and Michael Hassall exclusively produce red wines. It’s here you can try a superb Tannat wine and it’s not just their own opinion, their 2018 Tannat received 95 points in the latest James Halliday Wine Companion!
Their 2018 Shiraz Viognier and 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon were also awarded high points
Tony made Shiraz Viognier a flagship of their winery and has high hopes for the variety, saying “I think Shiraz Viognier has the potential to be the Granite Belt’s iconic wine style.”
Open 7 days 10-5pm Closed September
Location: Just Red Wines, 2370 Eukey Rd, Ballandean
5. Granite Ridge Wines
A wine adventure into Strange Bird varieties… Petit Verdot, Tempranillo, Verdelho
Ever tried a Chardonello?! At Granite Ridge Wines they produce this unusual combination of Chardonnay & Verdelho, described as having aromas of green apple and honeysuckle with a nice long palate of sweet melon and fruit sorbet – crisp but not too dry. Their 2018 Verdelho is one to put on you tasting list too.
In the reds try their Strange Bird alternate varieties Petit Verdot and their Tempranillo – we love a good Tempranillo on the Granite Belt (those Spaniards sure know a good taste and we’re doing great job of bringing that taste to the Granite Belt!)
Open 7 days 9-5pm
Location: Granite Ridge Wines, 157 Sundown Rd, Ballandean
6. Tobin Wines
A wine adventure into Strange Bird varieties… Tempranillo and Verdelho
Put Tobin Wines on your wine tasting schedule and discover why this winery seems to attract the most super loyal followers! Their fans return religiously to taste the next vintages and they know that production is limited to around 100 to 160 cases of each varietal per year.
In the alternate variety offering try Adrian Tobin’s Jacob Reserva Tempranillo, 2016 and in the whites their Maisie Verdelho Home Block, 2019.
At Tobin Wines they talk about growing our wine, rather than making the wine – so a stroll out through the picturesque vineyard to pay homage to where the work is done is a must.
Open 7 days 10-5pm
Location: Tobin Wines, Ricca Rd, Ballandean
7. Golden Grove Estate
A wine adventure into Strange Bird varieties… Barbara, Durif, Malbec, Mourvedre, Nero d’Avola, Tempranillo and Vermentino
The Costanzo family have been growing grapes in Ballandean since they first settled the property in 1946. They were one of the first to start growing wine grape varieties on the Granite Belt and today their story is one of exciting creativity and new tastes in their alternate variety wines.
Italian wines – Barbera, Vermentino and Nero D’Avola.
This is a cellar door for getting experimental with new red wine tastes! Try their 2016 Barbera, 2016 Malbec, 2018 Durif, 2018 Joven Tempranillo and the Nero D’Avola.
Their rare variety Nero D’Avola is their modern rendition of a Sicilian classic.
White wine lovers sipping a Vermentino here and be taken on a tasting journey to the Mediterranean Islands (this variety’s origin) as they enjoy this wine’s ‘bright and aromatic taste’ and it’s ‘floral, stone fruit and sea spray aromas’.
View the full Golden Grove Estate Strange Bird list here.
Location: Golden Grove Estate, 337 Sundown Rd, Ballandean
Open Sat 9-5pm Sun-Friday 9-4pm
Ballandean Estate Wines
A wine adventure into Strange Bird varieties… Durif, Fiano, Nebbiolo, Saperavi, Jacquez, Sylvaner and Viognier
Exciting things are happening at Ballandean Estate Wines, where Queensland’s oldest winery is also one of the most innovative in releasing 13 Strange Bird alternate wine varieties!
- Our Saperavi Strange Bird™ won GOLD at the 2018 International Saperavi Prize and at 2017 Australian Alternative Varieties wine competitions.
- Ballandean Estate owner Angelo Puglisi planted his first Strange Bird™ variety viognier over 20 years ago.
- In early 2019, we will be launching Queensland’s 27th Strange Bird™, the first Ballandean Estate Malvasia vintage.
Saperavi (Sap-a-ra-vee)
One of the most rare varieties we have planted and indeed very rare in Australia. This variety has red juice (very rare) and as a result, the wine is extraordinarily dark in the glass. With a fruit-driven bouquet and big colour, you could be fooled into thinking that this wine was also very tannic, but when in your mouth, you soon realise the tannins are quite soft and the fruit flavours abound.
Open 7 days 9-5pm
Location: Ballandean Estate Wines, 354 Sundown Rd, Ballandean
Also nearby in Ballandean…
View Wines at Sancerre Estate with Strange Bird wines: Alvarinho and Petit Manseng
Bungawarra Wines with Strange Bird wines: Gewurtztraminer and Malbec
Tours Operators Who Visit these Ballandean Wineries
Feeling tipsy just reading about all these fabulous wine experiences?!!
There are four wine tour operators who can drive you to any or all of these great cellar doors. They offer everything from exclusive tours for couples in luxury vans up to large group coach tours and everything in between. Click to browse Granite Belt Wine Tour Operators.
Staying in the Ballandean area…
There are lovely cottages and villas to stay in along this 10km stretch of your wine adventure. Scroll below, or use the map search at this link to locate accommodation nearby.
Just Red Wines Cabins, Ballandean
Sancerre Estate B&B and Cottage, Ballandean
Twisted Gum Wines Vineyard Cottage, Ballandean
Accommodation Creek Cottages, Ballandean
Severn-dipity Luxury Cabins, Ballandean
Loughmore House, Eukey/Ballandean
