Queensland – officially split into two GIs with the Granite Belt and South Burnett – is famed for its traditional varieties of semillon, chardonnay, merlot, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon, but as you'll see below, the winemakers are also champions of alternative varieties.
The perfect introduction to everything Queensland has to offer – the Nuova Scuola Wines viognier, Sirromet Wines' fiano, along with Tobin Wines' cabernet sauvignon, and Witches Falls' chardonnay – here are four wines to try.
2023 Nuova Scuola Wines Viognier
A dry, zesty version of this southern Rhône varietal with citrus and mineral notes and a hint of white flesh peaches. Light and crisp on the palate with a refreshingly clean finish. 100 per cent stainless steel ferment.Winemaker Sarah Boyce on making wine in Queensland: Who doesn't love living in QLD?! Plus, being able to work and make wine an area that is close to my hometown of Noosa, and my family and friends was definitely a bonus. We also love working in an up-and-coming region, and pioneering new varieties and styles that regions in Australia have overlooked since the country began producing wine.
H. How would you describe your wines and how do they reflect the region?
SB. In general our wines are lighter, drier, and more European in style. We like to maintain well-balanced acidity with good fruit expression, minimal oak, and fruit that is never super ripe and jammy. Our wines are a representation of the style we like to drink and we believe that these more restrained, elegant styles are what this region should be looking to work with to embrace our climate.
Suggested food pairing: Pan-seared Hervey Bay scallops with lemon, garlic and parsley, topped with a Kingaroy pork crackle crumb.
RRP $23 | Drink to 2024 | Shop this wine
2023 Sirromet Winery Fiano
Light green to pale straw in colour. Lifted fragrance of honeysuckle and juicy yellow peach, which are classic aromas for this varietal. Handcrafted by our team, this Granite Belt grown wine delivers a fresh, balanced palate of honeyed pear, bright citrus characters of grapefruit with subtle lemon pith, fuzzy peach skin, nutty texture, and a soft, rounded finish enhanced by extended yeast lees contact.Head winemaker Jessica Ferguson on making wine in Queensland: Winemaking in the Granite Belt is never boring! There can be considerable seasonal weather variation, which allows for exploration of different approaches and wine styles. Also being a small region there's an amazing camaraderie between many of the grape growers and winemakers in the region with sharing ideas, expertise, and resources.
H. How would you describe your wines and how do they reflect the region?
JF. Sirromet has embraced the Granite Belt’s strength for making elegant, medium-bodied styles of wine that reflect the high elevation and cool-moderate climate of the region, along with the distinctive mineral soils. We have a mix of well-loved and familiar varieties as well as some lesser-known Italian and French varietals. We also produce sparkling and fortified wines, which show the versatility of the region.
Suggested food pairing: Market fish served with saffron fondant potatoes, seasonal greens, beetroot crème fraiche and salsa verde.
RRP $28 | Drink to 2026 | Shop this wine
2022 Tobin Wines Luella Plum Cabernet Sauvignon
Noticeable mulberry and blackcurrant nuances. Following are hints of tobacco aromas and layers of complexity on the palate with soft cassis fruit up front and ending with persistent dry, delicate tannins.Owner Adrian Tobin on making wine in Queensland: Making wine in the region can be challenging, we are a small producer and we try to produce a quality product each year, we'll never produce the same product two years running as each vintage will be affected by Mother Nature. Our emphasis is on always growing and making the best product we can.
H. What is your winemaking philosophy?
AT. My winemaking philosophy is undeniably Old World. All respect is paid to the vineyard, the vine, and the pursuit of perfection in grape quality. Little — if any — reverence is paid to the winemaker or winemaking process.
Suggested food pairing: A rack of lamb with all the trimmings.
RRP $59 | Drink to 2033 | Shop this wine
2021 Witches Falls Wild Ferment Chardonnay
Gentle, intricate and engaging, the Wild Ferment Chardonnay boasts delightful aromatics and exquisite depth of flavour. Inviting aromas of lemon blossom, nectarine and honeysuckle fuse harmoniously with gentle oak, subtle minerality and lively lemon peel acidity on the delectable, elegant and perfectly balanced palate. Fermentation facilitated by wild yeast and barrel maturation has added texture and complexity to this stunning wine.Chief winemaker Jon Heslop says: As pioneers of wild ferment wines in Australia, we take immense pride in our chardonnay – the trailblazer. Exceptional results compelled us to broaden our wild ferment collection with many additional varieties. Our Wild Ferment Chardonnay not only highlights the variety’s prowess in the Granite Belt but also symbolises our commitment to quality and innovation in winemaking, always with an unwavering focus on excellence.
H. How would you describe your wines and how do they reflect the region?
JH. At Witches Falls, we source our fruit from vineyards in two distinctive regions: Queensland's cool climate Granite Belt and South Australia's warm climate Riverland. The presence of fruit from both warm and cool climate areas vividly underscores the profound influence of climate on grape varieties. This contrast offers a captivating and continuous learning experience for both staff and visitors alike.
Suggested food pairing: Pan-seared scallops with lemon butter sauce.
RRP $38 | Drink to 2027 | Shop this wine
