Map of Granite Belt Wine Region including events listings, winery names and features.

Where is the Granite Belt Wine Region?

Wine production first began on a commercial level in Queensland in the unlikely location of Roma, almost 450 kilometres to the north-east of Brisbane. This venture was founded by Samuel Bassett in 1863. Vine cuttings were provided by Bassett’s uncle who had an established vineyard in the Hunter Valley. Click here to see our selection of Granite Belt Wines

By the time Samuel’s son, William, took control of the company in 1912, ‘Romavilla’ was a thriving business, with more than 180 hectares under vine. William Bassett had received winemaking tuition from the great Leo Buring, and his wines were highly sough-after. Romavilla has remained constantly in production. This seemed in doubt after William’s death in 1973, but a group of Sydney businessmen purchased the property two years later, and production has continued. Click here to see our selection of Granite Belt Wines

While Romavilla is Queensland’s longest operating winery, the vast majority of the state’s industry is situated around the towns of Stanthorpe and Ballandean, near the border of New South Wales. The region is known as the  ‘Granite Belt ‘, owing  to its location on a small elevated plateau in the Great Dividing Range. Altitudes vary from 800 to 940 metres above sea level, making the area one of the highest wine-producing districts in Australia. Generally therefore, the climate is cool and not dissimilar to that experienced by the Margaret River region of Western Australia. Distance from the sea can result in harsh winters, and even occasional snow. The average maximum temperature during summer months is only 26 degrees centigrade and soils are decomposed granite varieties. Click here to see our selection of Granite Belt Wines

From a small bulk wine industry, began by the early European settlers, wine has now become a fully fledged industry, with larger vineyards and wineries being established.
The industry has expanded considerably and the Granite Belt now boasts more than 15 commercial wine-producing companies. Winemakers of the region are united in their desire to exploit the unique Queensland climate. Many innovative techniques are being employed and wines released so far show successful evidence of these efforts. In 1985, a light dry red wine was released onto the market by several local vignerons, with favourable result. Called ‘Ballandean Nouveau’, the wine is delightful served chilled and idea for the Queensland market. Click here to see our selection of Granite Belt Wines

Every year on the first and second weekend of October the industry has its “Spring Wine Festival’ attracting many wine and food enthusiasts to the region. This is followed on the third weekend by the “Australia Small Winemakers Show”, attracting 550-600 entries involving every State in Australia.
The first Sunday in May boasts the extremely successful “Opera At Sunset”, attracting over 1000 opera wine lovers to the wineries. Click here to see our selection of Granite Belt Wines

The Granite Belt region is a unique contributor to Australia’s wine industry. Vignerons are highly motivated and justifiably proud of their region. I believe that the wines produced are of exceptional quality and are sure to become widely respected in the near future. Click here to see our selection of Granite Belt Wines

Queensland's growing wine industry has over 100 vineyards. Some notable wines are produced in the high-altitude Granite Belt region in the state's extreme south. Many of the fifty plus wineries in the region have enjoyed significant success with Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay for some years. Click here to see our selection of Granite Belt Wines

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