Travel Bug Within

A travel blog inspiring mid-life adventurers to chase their wanderlust and explore further

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Destinations
    • Australia
      • Queensland
      • Northern Territory
      • New South Wales
      • South Australia
      • Tasmania
      • Victoria
      • Western Australia
    • Asia
      • Bali
      • Hong Kong
      • Japan
      • Thailand
      • UAE
      • Vietnam
    • Fiji
    • New Zealand
    • Europe
    • Iceland
    • United Kingdom
      • England
      • Scotland
    • USA
  • Travel Advice
    • Hotel and Restaurant Reviews
    • My Top Five or Ten
    • Book Reviews
  • Solo and Single Parent travels
    • Solo travel stories
    • Travel stories as a single mum
  • Who am I?
    • Why the name Travel Bug Within
    • Want to work together?
    • Contact
Home » Destinations » Where to find Queensland’s award winning wineries

Where to find Queensland’s award winning wineries

November 21, 2019 By Jennifer Johnston Leave a Comment

Last updated 9 February 2021

Table of Contents

  • Discovering Queensland’s world-class wineries
  • Twisted Gum Wines
  •  Golden Grove Estate Winery
  • Hidden Creek Wines
  • Sirromet Winery

Discovering Queensland’s world-class wineries

I’m partial to being outdoors and love to follow the hiking trails through the Australian bush. It had been way too long between visits to Girraween National Park.

How long?

My eldest, James was almost six when I last clambered over the magnificent granite boulders with some very special friends from America. And he’s soon turning 21!

Girraween is yet another destination close to home I wonder why I’ve left it so long between visits.

Recently I was with a group of enthusiastic Americans visiting Australia for a wine conference (as you do!) You’ll find the first part of my story here 

A few in our group (and I) decided to take a break from the wineries to explore some of the almost 30 kilometres of walking trails inside the 11,000 hectare park. The bush is tinder dry currently and there is evidence a bushfire has swept through the park Sadly, a side effect of the longest-running drought experienced in the region.

Image taken from the top of a mountain range looking back over teh landscape towards mountains in the distance

View from the halfway mark up the climb to the Pyramids at Giraween National Park

But today the sky is azure blue and a gentle breeze cools the morning air as we climb the trail towards the Pyramids.  At the section where the incline takes a more vertical route, a few decide not to continue to the top. With my dicky knee, I figure it’s best not to test it up that steep incline and we watch the others clamber from sight.

Image of a steep rock face with climbers resting and one making their way to the top

Where I pressed pause at the halfway point to the Pyramids at Girraween National Park

The balancing boulders known as Pyramid Rock at the very top are an incredible sight.  Allan Wright, a keen climber in our group shares an image from the top in his story

I manage to capture some of those incredible balancing rocks at Granite Arch. It hasn’t changed much in 15 years!

Granite Arch Girraween National Park

Granite Arch with the Gurzynski crew and James in 2004

When we collect the rest of our gang who declined the climb preferring wine from Pyramid Road Wines my Brisbane colleagues inform us they’ve made another fabulous winery discovery. They met owners Sue and Warren Smith and here’s an excerpt from a post written by Kerri McConnel of Beer and Croissants.com 

“As I sat listening firstly to Sue, and later Warren Smith, I realised how truly special the connection with the owners and winemakers was.  How often, I thought, do we really get to speak so directly with a business owner?  How often are we afforded such an honest and genuine conversation that reaches deep into the soul of each business, where owners discuss their dreams but also their challenges?

Their philosophy that washes across everything they do is about integrity in their products, always striving for the quality without ever compromising.  They sell what they are proud of and they are connected to everything they do.  As such, this comes across consistently in their wines.  “Grapes will grow,” says Sue, “but good grapes need work. Every day there is something for us to do and save for some friends and volunteers that help out at harvest time, we do everything themselves.”

Twisted Gum Wines

Hearing a name like Twisted Gum  I’d no idea what to expect. I certainly wasn’t expecting a classic old 1920’s Queenslander with wide wrap-around verandas and a silver corrugated tin roof.

Image of a Queensland style house with wrap around verandas and a corrugated iron roof and sign on the veranda palings that says Twisted Gum

The cellar door at Twisted Gum Winery near Stanthorpe in the Granite Belt Region

This old dairy farmer’s house was relocated to their property east of Ballandean in 2012 by new owners Tim and Michelle Coelli who purchased the vineyard in 2007. The couple have built a unique business around its timber-framed walls which now acts as their cellar door.

We’re greeted warmly by Michelle who invites us inside the cottage, and we sit around a long solid timber table. Michelle explains they approach winemaking using sustainable agricultural techniques. Their vineyard covers three hectares and is one of the smaller wineries of the region.  The first vines were planted in 1992, the last in 1995 and they are dry-grown – meaning they don’t irrigate. “We use composting to try and increase the soil’s organic matter to help with the drought conditions,” explains Michelle. “I feel like we’re in a slightly better position over vineyards that have been irrigating well,” she adds as she pours a refreshing blend of Verdhello/Semillon 2017 into our tasting glasses.

Image of a wooden tray with a dozen empty wine glasses

Twisted Gum wine tasting

Because their operation is on a smaller scale, they prune and harvest by hand. And it’s apparent from the way she talks, they’ve poured their heart and soul into this place. They work on the land seven days a week and are proud of the wines they’ve been able to produce.

Michelle admits there are advantages to the dry conditions. “The vines produce looser bunches with thicker skins which are less of an attraction to insects.”  There is no need for insecticides. They allow nature, including birds from the nearby eucalyptus forest to eradicate any unwelcome insects.

Their unique wines are only found through the cellar door. The couple has renovated the original 1920’s farmhouse and turned it into a three-bedroom two-bathroom self-contained cottage for couples or a family to rent.

Michelle Coelli of Twisted Gum Wines

 Golden Grove Estate Winery

Inside the tasting room of Golden Grove Estate, I see a proud father, Sam Costanzo standing in the corner watching his son. It’s a family affair. Sam stands quietly listening as his son Raymond shares his knowledge (and obvious passion) for their wines. Raymond’s mother Grace stands near him, no doubt hearing the Golden Grove backstory for the 100th time but listening attentively, as we are too!

 

Raymond studied wine-making at University and spent some time in overseas wine regions.

“Drinking lots,” he says with a chuckle.

Image of a man standing in a wine cellar dressed in a short sleeved shirt and blue shorts holds a bottle of wine in his right hand

Chief winemaker Raymond Costanzo of Golden Grove Estate Winery

With a rich Italian inflection, Raymond introduces a few of their new varieties: Tempranillo, Nero d’Avola and Mourvedre.

He applies his knowledge and with input from the Costanzo clan has taken the family property, which once was a farm growing grapes for the fresh fruit market and turned it into a five-star rated James Halliday winery.

Image showing four bottles of wine on a bench all with brightly coloured labels

A selection from Golden Grove Estate Granite Belt wine region

At the Courier Mail’s Queensland Wine Awards Raymond was named as the Queensland Winemaker of the Year (2019), whilst his father, Sam picked up the top honour for Viticulturalist of the Year (2019.)

Hidden Creek Wines

Relaxed couple Andy and Leanne Williams greet our group at the Hidden Creek cellar door appropriately adorned with vines. I feel almost ‘wined’ out (if that’s possible) and perk up when the couple suggests we tuck into a mixed platter filled with cheeses, fruit and crackers.

Resident dog Pepper waits eagerly for someone to pass (or drop) a morsel from the platter while Andy shares Hidden Creek’s story.  As chief winemaker, he is justifiably proud of their 2018 Queensland Winery of the Year Award.

Image showing the entrance to a winery with a sign saying Hidden Creek above the doorway

Hidden Creek Winery in the Granite Belt

 

Liking the 2018 Tempranillo, I take my tasting glass and wander into the adjacent room. The seating area for their cafe overlooks a dam, partially filled with water. They’re one of the more fortunate wineries still able to draw water during these drought conditions.

Leanne advises their café offers lunch which can be served indoors or outdoors and the menu has been chosen to pair with a selection of their wines.

Image of a man in a red tshirt and grey trousers standing next to a woman in a black tshirt and blue denim shorts they are explaining their wine making process to a group

Leanne and Andy Williams of Hidden Creek wines explain their winemaking process

Sirromet Winery

The last time I visited Sirromet was as part of a crowd of 1000s on the hill for one of their popular Day on the Greens. And it was an afternoon that stretched into the evening where plenty of Sirromet wine was consumed.

But there were no musical performances today. On this occasion, we were concluding our Granite Belt wine tour for lunch and a tour at this beautiful venue in Mt Cotton.

Image of a sandstone two level buidling with a curved upper roof and large entrance to a cellar door

Sirromet Winery Cellar door

While you may think it strange to end a Granite Belt Wine tour on the outskirts of Brisbane, there is a very good reason.

Sirromet sources 98% of its grapes from three vineyards in the Granite Belt Region. They’re also are responsible for 40% of Queensland’s wine production. These and more interesting facts were given to us by the very affable and energetic Mike Hayes, Sirromet’s Director of Viticulture and Chief Winemaker.

Within minutes of arriving at the grand entrance, Mike has us enthralled with his in-depth winemaking knowledge. And he’s visibly excited about the future of Queensland’s wine industry.

“Queensland has been leaders with emerging varieties,” he says. “We have the opportunity to take our wine to the world and for Queensland to be recognised as a serious wine entity.”

When Mike says, he wants Queensland to become the little Europe down under, my heart swells with pride.  This man is on a mission and it’s easy to be drawn into the journey.

With over 39 years working in the professional wine industry across 16 wine regions and two countries and the Australian Society of Viticulture & Oenology (ASVO) Winemaker of the Year for 2017, Mike is an expert.

“The Sirromet team is going to take it to the next level. The research we do now over the next 5 – 10 years is going to set up the Queensland wine industry and more importantly the Granite Wine Belt for the next 50 years.”

Image of a man dressed in adrk long sleeve shirt and trousers standing in front of wine making equipment he is talking about wine making

Sirromet’s Director of Viticulture and Chief Winemaker Mike Hayes discusses winemaking on a tour of the winery facilities

Mike openly acknowledges the challenges brought about by climate change and the need to adapt now, before it’s too late. By adapting he means working with grape varieties from around the world that can handle the extreme temperatures and lack of water. “We are looking at temperature increases of between four and six degrees. If we don’t start drought-proofing our vineyards we will have no future.”

Mike is the architect behind the Vineyard of the Future project at the Stanthorpe based Queensland College of Wine Tourism (QCWT)

The college is a joint venture between the Queensland State Government and the University of Southern Queensland to encourage local students to study hospitality and the wine business.  On our last night in Stanthorpe, we were invited to a dinner at the QCWT where we met CEO, Peter O’Reilly. On a tour around the campus, Peter explained the Vineyard of the Future project, where 70 varieties of vines, many from Portugal and Spain, have been planted to determine their suitability to the local climate.

Mike Hayes is in the driver’s seat determined to place Queensland on the map as a dominant force in the world’s wine market. And for that to happen, he knows research into token varieties is vital.

Image of a tabel setting with grey plates and wine glass and vine leaves for decoration

Superb lunchtime set up in the tank room at Sirromet Mt Cotton Winery

“With over 8,000 varieties in the world, my goodness we are going to have fun researching these over the next 50 years.”

As a proud Queenslander, I’m looking forward to tasting the results of the research!

Image of two men standing next to each other one if pouring wine from a large plastic jug into the other man's wine glass

Sirromet Winery’s Michael Muza and Mike Hayes sharing the latest batch

I was a guest of the Queensland Wine Industry Association and Granite Belt Wine and Tourism 

All opinions expressed are my own.

In Stanthorpe, I stayed at a Bed and Breakfast. The house was sold (in 2020) and is no longer a Guest House. It was run by local Faith Simon who makes a delicious selection of jams and marmalades at Quackers Pantry These are available to purchase at places in Stanthorpe.

Filed Under: Australia, Destinations, Queensland Tagged With: Granite Belt Wine Country, Mike Hayes, Queensland wines, Sirromet, Sirromet winery, Stanthorpe, Stanthorpe Wine Country, Stanthorpe Wine Tours

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

travelbugwithin

Part two of the Marburg road trip. (One day I'll Part two of the Marburg road trip.

(One day I'll discover how to share longer clips on Instagram!)

In the meantime, part one is in the post prior 😄
.
.
.
#discoveripswich
#brisbane
#queensland 
#roadtrips
At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the s At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the small country town of Marburg awaits. Turn off the Warrego Highway and discover a little community filled with friendly locals and a few surprises.

Take your wallets / credit cards / coin because there's some shopping and pub food to enjoy. And we can always play our part in supporting the locals.

Take a peek at a few of the experiences a group of us discovered in  Marburg. (This is part one - 2nd to follow!)
.
.
.
#discoveripswich
#visitbrisbane
#holidayherethisyear
#queensland
#daytrips
#roadtripspain
Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths to my Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths  to my frangipani tree.

#brisbane 
#wildlife
#lifeinthesuburbs
Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck. 

Wow! What a sizzler of a day.

Stepped out for an @astw_inc lunch and dined on food that was light and flavour-full. Swipe to see the sweet treats 

Quick peek inside one of the @emporiumhotels cabana rooms overlooking THAT pool!

.
.
.

#brisbane
#luxehotels
#longlunch
#astw
A view I couldn't tire of! As one who has visited A view I couldn't tire of!

As one who has visited the @destinationgoldcoast
over the years, I hesitated about returning to Surfers Paradise for a mini getaway. From childhood visits to my grandmother's house at Paradise Island, over the years Surfers has transformed into a glitzy, commercial tourist hotspot. 

As the closest open beach from home, I said let's just try it and looking for a reasonable deal, I booked a couple of nights @rhapsodyresort for the ocean views and close beach access and nice looking self-contained apartments. 

Well, with uninterrupted vistas like this from my 26th floor balcony, you may understand why I asked at reception on day two if I could book another night! 

I began liking my 'routine' at Rhapsody. Beach walks morning and afternoon and late avo ocean swim. 

And 'working' remotely with this incredible view = bliss 💙💙💙 

Go to stories for more pics 😎
.
.

.
#notsponsored
#rhapsodyresort
#ocean
#beachlover
#goldcoast
#queensland
There's plenty to do In Bundaberg. Here's a littl There's plenty to do In Bundaberg.

Here's a little snapshot of our week away. 

.
.
.
#familyholiday
#queensland
#quietplaces 
#beautifulday 
#bestdiscovery 
#beautifulbeaches 
#weekendescapes 
#seeaustralia 
#roadtrips
#visitbundaberg
Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy to just stop and take in the vista
Neilsen's Beach at Bargara. A pleasant beach popular with locals snd visitors like us
And with @lifesavingqld clubhouse you can swim safely between the flags too!
.
.
.

@queensland
#visitbundaberg 
#oceanview 
#bestdiscovery 
#surf 
#whereitravel 
#roadtrip 
#seeaustrali
Last full day in Bundaberg 😔 @windmillbargara Last full day in Bundaberg 😔

@windmillbargara for breakfast 

Elliott Heads for a swim in the clearest water I've been in for a long time. 

And then rooftop drinks with friends overlooking stunning Bargara. 

I'm loving the Bundaberg Region 💙💙💙

#ocean
#beach 
#Bundaberg 
#queensland 
#bestdiscovery 
#seeaustralia 
#travelwriter 
#roadtrips
Not a bad first half day at Bargara. Beach walk, Not a bad first half day at Bargara.

Beach walk, board walk, ocean swim and lunch with my three lads @windmillbargara 

Just waiting for the tide to come back in for another ocean swim later this avo.

Was worth the late evening drive to wake up to see the ocean this morning.

The lads are laughing as I've inflated (well Fraser did) a blow up surf mat. Ready for this avo. Bright pink 💓 you won't miss me 😜

.
.
.
.

#myhappyplace 
#nearthesea 
#visitbundaberg 
#queensland
#holidays
#sun #surf
#familyiseverything 
#vacations 
#holidayswithkids
Load More... Follow on Instagram

travelbugwithin

Part two of the Marburg road trip. (One day I'll Part two of the Marburg road trip.

(One day I'll discover how to share longer clips on Instagram!)

In the meantime, part one is in the post prior 😄
.
.
.
#discoveripswich
#brisbane
#queensland 
#roadtrips
At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the s At just under an hour's drive from Brisbane, the small country town of Marburg awaits. Turn off the Warrego Highway and discover a little community filled with friendly locals and a few surprises.

Take your wallets / credit cards / coin because there's some shopping and pub food to enjoy. And we can always play our part in supporting the locals.

Take a peek at a few of the experiences a group of us discovered in  Marburg. (This is part one - 2nd to follow!)
.
.
.
#discoveripswich
#visitbrisbane
#holidayherethisyear
#queensland
#daytrips
#roadtripspain
Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths to my Happy to welcome a pair of Tawny Frogmouths  to my frangipani tree.

#brisbane 
#wildlife
#lifeinthesuburbs
Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck Brisbane looks darn good from the Terrace Bar deck. 

Wow! What a sizzler of a day.

Stepped out for an @astw_inc lunch and dined on food that was light and flavour-full. Swipe to see the sweet treats 

Quick peek inside one of the @emporiumhotels cabana rooms overlooking THAT pool!

.
.
.

#brisbane
#luxehotels
#longlunch
#astw
A view I couldn't tire of! As one who has visited A view I couldn't tire of!

As one who has visited the @destinationgoldcoast
over the years, I hesitated about returning to Surfers Paradise for a mini getaway. From childhood visits to my grandmother's house at Paradise Island, over the years Surfers has transformed into a glitzy, commercial tourist hotspot. 

As the closest open beach from home, I said let's just try it and looking for a reasonable deal, I booked a couple of nights @rhapsodyresort for the ocean views and close beach access and nice looking self-contained apartments. 

Well, with uninterrupted vistas like this from my 26th floor balcony, you may understand why I asked at reception on day two if I could book another night! 

I began liking my 'routine' at Rhapsody. Beach walks morning and afternoon and late avo ocean swim. 

And 'working' remotely with this incredible view = bliss 💙💙💙 

Go to stories for more pics 😎
.
.

.
#notsponsored
#rhapsodyresort
#ocean
#beachlover
#goldcoast
#queensland
There's plenty to do In Bundaberg. Here's a littl There's plenty to do In Bundaberg.

Here's a little snapshot of our week away. 

.
.
.
#familyholiday
#queensland
#quietplaces 
#beautifulday 
#bestdiscovery 
#beautifulbeaches 
#weekendescapes 
#seeaustralia 
#roadtrips
#visitbundaberg
Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy Under the shade of a pandanus tree it's very easy to just stop and take in the vista
Neilsen's Beach at Bargara. A pleasant beach popular with locals snd visitors like us
And with @lifesavingqld clubhouse you can swim safely between the flags too!
.
.
.

@queensland
#visitbundaberg 
#oceanview 
#bestdiscovery 
#surf 
#whereitravel 
#roadtrip 
#seeaustrali
Last full day in Bundaberg 😔 @windmillbargara Last full day in Bundaberg 😔

@windmillbargara for breakfast 

Elliott Heads for a swim in the clearest water I've been in for a long time. 

And then rooftop drinks with friends overlooking stunning Bargara. 

I'm loving the Bundaberg Region 💙💙💙

#ocean
#beach 
#Bundaberg 
#queensland 
#bestdiscovery 
#seeaustralia 
#travelwriter 
#roadtrips
Not a bad first half day at Bargara. Beach walk, Not a bad first half day at Bargara.

Beach walk, board walk, ocean swim and lunch with my three lads @windmillbargara 

Just waiting for the tide to come back in for another ocean swim later this avo.

Was worth the late evening drive to wake up to see the ocean this morning.

The lads are laughing as I've inflated (well Fraser did) a blow up surf mat. Ready for this avo. Bright pink 💓 you won't miss me 😜

.
.
.
.

#myhappyplace 
#nearthesea 
#visitbundaberg 
#queensland
#holidays
#sun #surf
#familyiseverything 
#vacations 
#holidayswithkids
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright Jennifer Johnston 2014 • Site by Swish Design