Queensland's wine history dates back more than 150 years, with the first vines planted in Granite Belt in the 1860s. Queensland has two recognised GIs – Granite Belt and South Burnett – along with hidden gems in places like the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Below are four wineries and cellar doors to add to your summer itinerary. The makers tell us about their bespoke wine tasting experiences, must-try wines and share their favourite haunts. Here are four Queensland wineries to visit.
Witches Falls
Witches Falls is an essential destination in south-east Queensland for those seeking exceptional wines in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. On offer at the winery are an extensive range of wines, across various categories and styles. With the flexibility to explore alternative varieties and be inventive, Witches Falls is dedicated to crafting single-varietal wines, letting the authentic character of each grape shine. They prioritise quality and taste, resulting in wines that represent the region's essence.
The winery and cellar door are located just an hour from both Brisbane and the Gold Coast, ensuring that the vibrant community and stunning natural beauty are easily accessible. Witches Falls provide table service from start to finish, allowing guests to tailor their tastings as they prefer, exploring the wide range of wines alongside a selection of locally produced cheeses, pâtés, relishes, and other nibbles to create a custom grazing platter. They're also pet-friendly, so your furry friends are welcome to join the experience!
Chief winemaker Jon Heslop says: Our winery and cellar door epitomise a genuine passion for winemaking. We meticulously craft a diverse range of wines that cater to all tastes, utilising both traditional and state-of-the-art techniques. From grape to glass, our handcrafted wines are a labour of love. Visitors can relax, savour these exceptional wines, immerse themselves in nature, and enjoy locally-sourced gourmet produce in our intimate grounds—a perfect place to unwind and experience some of the most delicious wines on offer.
Jon's must try wine: Witches Falls offers a variety of outstanding wines. The perfect wine? It’s personal. With our extensive selection, our team goes above and beyond to help you find a wine you love. Often, there’s not just one – explore our range, and let our cellar door team help you find your new favourites.
Local favourite: Tamborine Mountain offers something for everyone – scenic national parks, cosy cafes, craft breweries, distilleries, and unique shops. It’s an all-encompassing experience. Whatever you choose, be sure to wrap up your mountain day by watching a stunning sunset at the ‘Hang-gliders Lookout'.
Find out more | 79 Main Western Road, Tamborine Mountain | (07) 5545 2609
Tobin Wines
Tobin Wines is a single-vineyard winery and cellar door in Ballandean. With an Old World winemaking philosophy, all respect is paid to the vineyard.A boutique winery Tobin's production is limited to 100–160 cases of each varietal – sauvignon blanc, semillon, SSB, verdelho, chardonnay, tempranillo, merlot, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon – each year. At the cellar door, winemaker and owner, Adrian Tobin will guide you through a tasting, with his passion for the vineyard shining through. Bookings are essential.
The Granite Belt winery has approximately 25 acres under vine. Adrian Tobin refuses to compromise on quality, with imperfect fruit cut from the vines and returned to the earth to encourage concentration of flavours. The variance in production and style of wine is determined by the weather and growing conditions. If the fruit is not of sound quality, the team will not bottle. Tobin Wines express its origins in the rugged and majestic landscape of the Granite Belt.
Owner and winemaker Adrian Tobin says: “I don't talk about making wine, I talk about growing wine. 95 per cent of winemaking is attained from efforts in the vineyard, resulting in expressing the purity of the grape. It is an affliction that has taken over my life, constantly seeking perfection is a madness in of itself. No winemaker is gifted enough to make those wonderful flavours and aromas — all of the work happens out there in the vineyard."
Adrian's must-try wine: Our 2023 Maisie Verdelho. It's fresh, bright and zippy – one of those alternate varieties. Other whites of note are the 2022 Charlotte Sauvignon Blanc and the 2018 Isabella Aged Semillon.
Local favourite: I love the food at Essen and the fact that it’s BYO is a bonus. The newest establishment to open is Stanny Brewery. It's not just a brewery, but a wine bar too, and it has a range of local product that can be purchased by glass or bottle. It's matched with quick food and a lovely outdoor area.
Find out more | 34 Ricca Road, Ballandean | (07) 4684 1235
Sirromet Winery
The Sirromet cellar door is an immersive and fulfilling destination for food and wine enthusiasts. Visitors will learn about the grape to glass journey, gain a deeper appreciation of the art of winemaking and, of course, taste a range of premium wines. The newly refurbished tasting room is a wonderful environment to expand your palate and appreciate the joy of wine.Visitors can take part in a behind the scenes tour that provides insight into the winemaking process, and the chance to witness the craftsmanship behind the wines. The Sirromet blending experience invites guests to create their own unique wine blends while gaining an understanding of the art of winemaking. The self-guided wine flight allows wine lovers to explore a variety of wines at their own pace. Perfect for those who enjoy a more independent tasting experience and want to savour the wines at their leisure. Pair the wine flight with a Sirromet cheese platter.
Sirromet also has 18 luxury glamping pavilions that harmonise with the environment.
Head winemaker Jessica Ferguson says: Sirromet winery’s location at Mt Cotton is extraordinary. Nestled within a picturesque backdrop encompassing over 560 acres of natural bushland, the venue promises exceptional experiences. The range of activities, from hands-on-blending to wine and dining pairings, ensures that visitors leave with a deep sense of fulfilment and, of course, a greater appreciation for the world of wine.
Jessica's must-try wine: The 2019 granit Nebbiolo is a great reflection of the estate's vineyard sites at Ballandean in the Granite Belt and provides the perfect introduction to Sirromet wines. It's Queensland grown, and suited to our climate and food offering. This nebbiolo is made in a lighter, more floral and spicy style that is friendly to all occasions.
Local favourite: Stradbroke Island is a holiday paradise within the Redlands Coast region. There's a myriad of stunning beaches, amazing natural wonders, bushland and abundant wildlife – it's a wonderful place to visit.
Find out more | 850 Mt Cotton Road, Mt Cotton | (07) 3206 2999
Nuova Scuola Wines
The Nuova Scuola Wines boutique cellar door is a rustic, beautiful space that provides the perfect setting for a personal wine experience. Set amongst the vines and overlooking the Barambah Valley, it's a tranquil and scenic environment that has a peaceful and welcoming atmosphere.Nuova Scuola Wines offer a premium wine tasting experience. Guests will enjoy a tasting in a private group with owners and winemakers Sarah and Stefano and the vineyard team. Appointments are essential, and are available seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Visitors can choose between a private tasting in the picturesque cellar door overlooking the vineyard. Or, choose to take part in a guided vineyard tour and tasting complete with a crisp glass of bubbles and a tasting of the portfolio with Stefano or Sarah. Guests will also taste the award-winning fortified wine direct from the barrel. The third tasting option is the guided vineyard tour and tasting paired with the delicious taglieri plates (Italian-style charcuterie boards), before finishing with a taste of the fortified from the barrel.
Winemaker Sarah Boyce says: South Burnett has an interesting micro-climate that allows for excellent wine production with the right varieties. Our location, which is inland from the coast – behind the low lying mountain ranges of the Sunshine Coast and Gympie – and at an elevation of 400m above sea level, provides cooler nights and lower humidity than the coastal areas. Our vineyard was set up perfectly by the previous owners on a north-facing slope on the rocky black sandy clay soils of the ridgeline on which it sits. The vines planted have been selected specifically for their ability to grow well in our region. On our site we grow verdelho, viognier, tempranillo and sangiovese.
Sarah's must-try wine: Tempranillo is decidedly our signature red. It's a wine made truly in the Nuova Scuola style. It's dry, raw and powerful without being overripe and jammy. Its alcohol sits at 13.5 per cent, and it's balanced and elegant with black fruits and is a little spicy with obvious, varietal tannins. This wine is for the no sugar in your coffee drinkers, the pass me the extra chilli lovers, and wine lovers who want to taste the real flavours of a wine.
Local favourite: Definitely visit the other local wineries all located with in a couple of minutes drive from our cellar door. Check out the Bjelke Petersen Dam for fishing and water skiing, Boat Mountain for walks and stunning views, local producers including the Phat Wag butcher specialising in local Wague Beef, the Bunya Red Caper Farm, The Lavender Farm, and the Wondai Hotel and Whipbird Cafe in Kingaroy are highlights for meals.
Find out more | 167 Tipperary Road, Redgate | 0408 850 595
