About The Granite Belt
A scenic 2.5hr drive from Brisbane, the Granite Belt Wine Region in South East Queensland is a place of striking granite landscapes, artisan foods and cosy cottage escapes.
At a cool 900 - 1000m above sea level, no other wine region of Australia has so many vineyards at high altitude. The longer grape ripening period in a cool high climate produces magnificent medium to full-bodied wines.
The Granite Belt has been one of Australia’s most un-discovered and under-rated wine regions, but is now taking its place among the respected wine regions of Australia. It’s a small region, with around 40 cellar doors, but one that produces excellent cool climate wines.
The Granite Belt Difference
The wineries of the Granite Belt are distinctive in their offer of a personal, unhurried wine experience. It’s common to meet and wine taste with the owners and winemakers themselves at Granite Belt cellar doors.
Unlike many wine regions, the Granite Belt does not have one signature wine variety, although Verdelho is close to it, but rather is known for growing diverse and magnificent alternative variety wines.
On the Granite Belt we call them ‘Strange Birds’.
Strange Bird Wines
The Granite Belt's Strange Bird wines are our alternative and emerging varieties - we specialise and take great delight in growing them here on the Granite Belt.
Enjoyed in Europe for generations these alternative varieties are now emerging as Australian favourites due to their ability to match perfectly with food. 40% of the Granite Belt’s vines are now planted to emerging varieties.
To be called an alternative a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia (as defined by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation).
Robert Channon’s Strange Bird Wine: Verdelho! Pursue more Strange Birds and discover wines you’ve never tasted...
