Photo courtesy: Mt Tamborine Vineyard & Winery.
The wines of South East Queensland are new players in the growing winery game. There are more and more wineries, vineyards and cellar doors opening within an easy drive from Brisbane.
You might think the Queensland wine industry is a newcomer but apparently wine grapes have been planted in the cooler regions since the late 19th century. Regardless of your favourite tastes in wine, a trip to local cellar doors and their cafes and restaurants promise a wonderful day of temptation by the glass.
So, which wine regions are within reach? And which local labels can you look out for at your bottle shop or restaurant?
Brisbane and the Scenic Rim
You can start by enjoying a meal at the awarded Restaurant Lurleen overlooking the vineyard of Sirromet Winery at Mount Cotton. Only about 40 mintues south east of the city, Sirromet provides great views across to Moreton Bay.
Gold Coast Hinterland
Inland from the Gold Coast beaches you can discover an increasing number of small, boutique wineries that cater for travellers and wine buffs alike. About an hours' drive from Brisbane, you could find yourself seated beside Cedar Creek or admiring the views from Mount Tamborine, with glass in hand.
Mount Tamborine Vineyard and Winery
All wines are grown, harvested and processed on the 68 acre site. Fine local food is also on offer and the cellar door is on the well-known Gallery Walk at Mount Tamborine town. Mount Tamborine Winery was one of the first established in the Gold Coast hinterland in the 1990s.
Witches Falls Winery
With grapes from the Granite Belt, you can see the wines made on site and taste test them at the cellar door of Witches Falls Winery everyday.
O'Reilly's Canungra Valley Vineyards - a great spot to call in when driving to the spectacular Lamington National Park. Spotting a platypus could be a possibility while sipping your wine. You can order a picnic lunch in advance.
Albert River Wines - a family run winery in an historic Queenslander house.
More Gold Coast Hinterland wineries:
- Heritage Wines
- Aussie Vineyards
- Thumm Estate Wines
- Mount Nathan Winery
- Cedar Creek Estate Vineyard and Winery
Sunshine Coast Hinterland
North from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with the green hills of the Blackall Range and good rainfall are the spot for burgeoning wineries.
There's Settlers Rise at Montville, with cellar door and platters available.
Maleny Mountain Wines at the Big Barrel. You can't miss the enormous wooden barrel as you drive up from Landsborough towards the township of Maleny. Step inside to taste their wines.
Or head a little further north to Dingo Creek winery, near Gympie. It hosts an annual Jazz and Blues Festival (26-27 April 2008) and the cellar door is open each weekend for tastings.
For a winery experience with a difference, visit the Little Morgue winery at Yandina on the Sunshine Coast. Housed in what was once the morgue, these days you can see the wine making process and buy from the cellar door.
Darling Downs and Toowoomba
Heading towards the rich soils and high altitude of the Darling Downs, there are a number of wineries.
Preston Peak winery is just 10 minutes from Toowoomba. You'll have free wine tastings at the cellar door whilst admiring the rose gardens, olive groves and views of Table Top Mountain, the Lockyer Valley and the Darling Downs.
Warrego Wines - a certified organic winery with lunchtime cafe, about half way between Brisbane and Toowoomba. They make a selection of white and red wines and tours are available for groups. Children are welcome and you can play a game of bocce or croquet too.
Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm - only just over an hour from Brisbane, near Boonah in the west, Kooroomba Vineyard has a cellar door open for free tastings and restaurant. Admire the 6 hectares of vineyard and lavender farm.
Take a winery tour
If you'd rather drink than drive, take a tour of local wineries.
Grape Experience Tours - choose from three regional wining and dining tours, all within coo-ee of Brisbane.
Hughie's Grape and Golf Tours - offer a number of tours, all revolving around the local wines on offer within a day trip from Brisbane.
Or to enjoy Queensland wines without leaving Brisbane, ask at your restaurant or bottle shop for local products. Take a look at the Queensland Wine website for a listing of restaurants that stock our wines.
Tell us about your favourite Brisbane winery. Add your comments below.
