How to Have a Date Weekend in Granite Belt Wine Country

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s, an anniversary, a special occasion or simply looking for some quality time together, check out these ideas perfect for couples to experience in Granite Belt Wine Country.

Visit the Balancing Heart

Is there anything more romantic than strolling through the vineyards with a glass of wine in hand?

If this is your ideal scene of romance, strolling through the vineyard of Balancing Heart Vineyard to the love-heart-shaped granite rock — a natural formation that sits right in the middle of the vineyard — is a must. This trendy cellar door has alfresco dining for lunch daily and their sunset pizzas sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings are divine for watching the sunset with vista views over the surrounding valleys. Ask about their bus pick-ups available Saturday night.

Check out their ‘Lock your Love’ experience which includes the romantic walk to the heart of the vineyard where you can add an engraved padlock to the oversized heart with your love.

Is your next step the wedding? This picture-perfect vineyard can help you celebrate with an intimate vineyard ceremony.

Book a Private Couple Tour

Meet the winemakers behind the glass and be guided through wineries with these specialist tour operators offering small group tours and can cater just for couples to give you the ultimate privacy and customised tour.

Have a Picnic Granite Belt Style

Organising a special picnic might sound like work, but it couldn’t be easier with picnic hampers available to buy ready-made in Granite Belt Wine Country. Want to create your own gourmet picnic spread? We’ve got the scoop on great picnic spots too…Read our Guide to Easy Picnics on the Granite Belt.

Find Romantic Accommodation

There is no shortage of accommodation options in the region to impress for your romantic weekend away, from giant wine barrels to cosy cabins where you can snuggle by crackling wood fireplaces. At your accommodation wake up to local breakfast hampers or at sunset sit back and admire the country views and soak up the serenity with a glass of local wine.

Plan a Trip for both your Tastes: Wine + Beer + Cider

Plan a tour that includes wineries, breweries and a cidery, so that both of your tastes are satisfied in wine country.

Find ciders and beer and these locations…

 

Go Strawberry or Apple Picking

If you’re looking for a cheap date weekend idea, head to the local strawberry farms and apple orchards in the Granite Belt. Spend quality time outdoors together without breaking the bank and pick farm fresh strawberries from October – May each year or pick apples straight off the branch together, from approximately February – May. Entry is free, just pay for what you pick!

Learn more about where to go strawberry picking here. Find apple picking locations here.

Share an Apple Pie

A slice of Sutton’s famous Apple Pie may be too good to share… but it’s the thought that counts.

Celebrate with Bubbles!

Grab some Granite Belt sparking wine for your celebration getaway. Many cellar doors have sparkling wine options.

A few tips: Summit Estate Wines has a range of sparkling wines and many are in exciting alternative varieties, try something different with Heritage Estate‘s uniquely Australian Sparkling Shiraz, Ridgemill Estate’s ‘Ellie’ is the perfect Sparkling Chardonnay and Robert Channon Wines’s Verdelho Bubbles is really something special.

Book a table for two

Pictured: Medley of Mains with matching wines at Varias Restaurant

Experience world-class dining at the award-winning Varias Restaurant at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism.  White tablecloths, perfectly mannered waitstaff and beautiful vineyard views are all part of the special dining experience that celebrates seasonal produce year-round.

Dine in front of the open fire in the winter or on warmer days, enjoy the deck overlooking the spring fed dam, Banca Ridge Vineyard and the township of Stanthorpe.

No one does the ultimate fancy dinner date quite like Heritage Estate Wines. Time your visit with their 5 Senses Degustation Dinners, held on the second Saturday of the month, and enjoy a degustation menu matched with wines, silver service, candlelight, sting musicians and a cellar door laden with antique style sets a magic scene.

If you’re visiting on a Friday join their POETs Progressive Dinner or join their Vine+Dine Journey Degustation Lunch with Vineyard Tour Thursday-Sundays.