Queensland

Viticulture in the subtropics: Queensland's Granite Belt around Stanthorpe sits high enough for cool nights that allow ripe, spicy Shiraz and fresh Verdelho – Australia's northernmost quality region.

REGION PORTRAIT

Understanding Queensland

Queensland is the outsider among Australia's wine states: at Brisbane's latitude, viticulture should be too hot and humid – but the Granite Belt sits at 800–1,000 metres and brings nights cooler than the Barossa Valley. Across around 1,200 hectares around Stanthorpe and Ballandean, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Verdelho grow on weathered granite; the region's 'Strange Bird' initiative has made Fiano, Vermentino, Tempranillo and Saperavi its signature. Ballandean Estate (since 1932), Sirromet, Golden Grove and Symphony Hill are among the defining producers. The second region, South Burnett around Kingaroy, is younger and warmer. Two hours from Brisbane, the Granite Belt doubles as a weekend destination with national parks, granite outcrops and orchards.

The wine regions 2

Granite Belt

Shiraz · Verdelho · Cabernet Sauvignon · Fiano

Queensland's main region around Stanthorpe at 800–1,000 metres: granite soils, cool nights despite the subtropical latitude, Ballandean Estate and the 'Strange Bird' movement for alternative varieties.

1,200 ha

South Burnett

Shiraz · Verdelho · Chardonnay

Younger region north-west of Brisbane around Kingaroy and Murgon: warm days, Verdelho and Shiraz, Clovely Estate as the largest producer.

200 ha

FAQ

How can wine grow in Queensland at all?

Altitude: the Granite Belt rises to 1,000 metres, nights are cool and it even snows in winter. That offsets the subtropical latitude and allows ripeness with retained acidity.