On the road: five standout wineries to visit when road-tripping from Brisbane to the Granite Belt

Wines from the Granite Belt are well-worth your time and attention – just read what Halliday taster Mike Bennie has to say on the topic. For one of the things that excites him most about the Granite Belt, is the region’s distinct focus on non-traditional varieties. 

Those who visit the area in person, can sample a smorgasboard of emerging and lesser-known grape varieties – that also speak of local character. Winemakers aren’t just trying to replicate how these grapes taste elsewhere, instead opting to let the terroir shine through. 

But where do you start when visiting the Granite Belt? Well, as most folks come to the region by way of Brisbane, we have put together this short list of five wineries to stop at while you journey from Brisbane to the Granite Belt itself. Each offers up great wines, plus a whole host of other experiences for wine loving travellers. Find them all here. 

Sanctuary by Sirromet

Mount Cotton’s Sirromet Winery is not only home to almost endless vineyards, a restaurant with views over Moreton Bay and regular live music events, but it is also where you’ll find a whole heap of luxury glamping stays surrounded by bushland.

Sanctuary by Sirromet guests will stay in these private pavilions, each coming with ensuite bathrooms, king-sized beds, aircon and private decks overlooking the surrounding property – which wombats and wallabies call home. It is a quintessentially Australian location. 

Every safari-style accommodation also includes a mini-bar filled with top Sirromet wine, and all bookings include complimentary breakfast at the cellar door. You’ve also got to drop by the rest of the winery for tastings, tours, picnics and a whole host of walks around the vast estate. 

Balancing Heart

Once you make it to this part of the Granite Belt, you’ll see where it gets its name. The outcrop of large granite rocks surrounded by small patches of grapes cuddling the bush delivers a memorable moment that is unique and diverse – with Balancing Heart exemplifying all of this wonderfully. 

The winery specialises in non-pretensive wines with soul and balance, and wine tastings are entirely free. It’s also kid friendly and dog friendly – with the little ones allowed to feed and pet the farm animals during their visit. And if you tee things up perfectly (arriving on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday), you can also enjoy live music – with the stunning Great Dividing Range in the background. This is a one-of-a-kind experience you aren’t likely to forget. 

Food is also given a lot of love at Balancing Heart, with the cellar door kitchen open seven days a week. Pizzas are the most-loved options here, but you can’t miss the Friday night rotisserie dinners served at sunset while live tunes weave their way throughout the property. It’s just that extra bit romantic. 

Ballandean Estate Wines

Ballandean Estate is the oldest family-owned winery in Queensland’s Granite Belt, renowned for its rich heritage and pioneering spirit. Set among cool-climate vineyards, it offers wines crafted from both lesser-known and traditional varieties.

Of these, the team is most proud of its Strangebird range – wines made from rare varietals grown in this unique terroir. You can try these through personalised tastings at its Barrelroom Wine Lounge, getting to know their saperavi, malvasia, and nebbiolo wines while sampling Italian eats.

It’s the perfect spot to broaden your wine varieties knowledge and try something different. But more common varieties are also on show here, most notably, its 56-year-old shiraz vines and well-crafted chardonnays. You’ll want to spend a good amount of time here, getting to know more about these wines and the team’s sustainable winemaking practices. 

Flame Hill Vineyard

With Flame Hill Vineyard, you more or less get two for the price of one. This winery has two excellent Queensland sites – one inland within the Granite Belt, and the other just a short drive from the beach on the Sunshine Coast.

The locations themselves are very different but the consistency is in the experiences offered. At both, you’ll find 100% estate-grown and hand-picked wines, a cellar door with regular wine tastings and food to match, as well as accommodation options. It’s a one stop shop for wine lovers exploring the respective regions.

When staying at the Granite Belt site, you should also take your time exploring the enormous property – even getting the team to make you a picnic basket full of local produce and their own wines. Here, you can really slow down and escape. 

Jester Hill Wines

Jester Hill Wines is yet another great example of what the Granite Belt wine region is so well known for. Here, you’ll find both traditional and more experimental wines, great gourmet platters, friendly and attentive hospitality, and a cellar door with beautiful views across the countryside. 

Here, you can enjoy wine and gin tastings, play some bocce on the lawns and take the kids out to pet the large farm animals. You can also bring your own pets or get to know the winery’s own great blue healer called Major – he will love for you to throw a ball or frisby with him.

Winery and vineyard tours are also up for grabs – giving you a behind-the-scenes experience – helping you gain a better understanding of the processes of viticulture and oenology. With a large tasting area, Jesters is also happy to host big groups – whether you’re all driving down in a fleet of cars or hiring a big bus for the week. There’s a real sense of generosity and community here, felt throughout your entire visit. 

Top image: Balancing Heart