Sometimes it’s a bit difficult to select a wine from the bottle-shop shelves or even a restaurant wine list. We can end up caught up in analysis paralysis, frantically reading labels or trying to flag down the waiter.
Located on Tamborine Mountain in the Scenic Rim, Witches Falls produces seriously good wines. Look out for their wild fermentation wines – they let the grapes do the work. Here are some of the best wine tasting Brisbane events held in the city.
- Witches Falls Winery
While Queensland may not be the first place you think of when it comes to wine, local viticulturists like Witches Falls are making the region quite proud with their award-winning drops. Jon Heslop and his team based in the Gold Coast Hinterland have made it their mission to produce wines that are truly unique and draw you into their world.
The cellar door is located on the edge of the picturesque Witches Falls National Park (hence the name) and although they have a small vineyard on-site, most of their fruit is sourced from reputable growers across the Granite Belt. This high-altitude region boasts an idyllic climate with free-draining granitic soils that offer similar conditions to Burgundy in France.
Jon and his team strive for innovation while maintaining a respect for minimal intervention, which is evident in their wines. They have received a Five Red Star Rating from James Halliday, placing them in the top 10% of Australian wine-makers. Enjoy a tasting flight of six wines or order your favourite bottle to take home. The cellar door is open Monday to Thursday from 10am – 5pm and Friday Saturday from 10am - 7pm. A range of cheeses, chutneys and crackers are also available to enjoy with your wine.
- Woongooroo Estate
Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or simply curious about the craft, Brisbane’s diverse wine scene transcends the ordinary. From sun-dappled terraces overlooking lush vineyards to rustic cellars that exude warmth and charm, the city’s wine tasting experiences elevate your senses.
Family owned and operated Woongooroo Estate is a boutique vineyard that loves to welcome visitors to their wine cellar door. Phil and Gail are passionate educators by profession so they know their wines well and can offer keen advice on which meals each would perfectly match with.
The onsite Cellardoor and Cafe are open for wine tasting and property tours. They also host regular events and activities such as wine and cheese matching experiences. These experiences last an hour and include wine tasting of Woongooroo wines matched with local cheeses.
In addition to wine tasting, the onsite restaurant offers a ploughman’s lunch and gourmet steak sandwiches as well as morning and afternoon tea. And if you are looking for something truly unique, they have partnered with Ottaba Llama Walks to offer morning and afternoon wine tasting tours with their adorable llamas!
- Clovely Estate
The sub-tropical South Burnett region is quite a bit smaller than the state’s other wine regions, but its unique climate makes for some structured and complex wines. You’ll find everything from Shiraz and Semillon to lesser known varietals such as Durif, Fiano, and Saperavi.
This family-owned boutique winery is a proud member of the Granite Belt’s Strange Bird Wine Trail and focuses on creating rare and alternative wines like Durif, Fiano, and Sylvaner. They also produce rich Italian varietals such as Barbera and Sangiovese from their estate-grown grapes, all of which are 100% estate grown and estate-made.
Guests can visit the vineyard cellar door to taste Clovely Estate wines and purchase wines in bulk. They can also book a vineyard stay at their traditional-style Vineyard Cottage, which sits right across the laneway from their cellar door. During Covid-19 restrictions, they offered degustation dinners featuring local artisan producers, which was in line with their brand values. They’re also planning new experiences once the restrictions are lifted.
- Withes Falls Winery
When you think of Australian wineries, places like the Hunter Valley and Barossa come to mind. But the Gold Coast hinterland is also home to a few wineries worth visiting.
Withes Falls Winery is a beautiful cellar door located on the scenic Tamborine Mountain, just an hour from Brisbane. The small winery produces a number of wines with distinction and excellence. Their range includes Granite Belt, Wild Ferment and Prophecy.
Wine tastings are available on-site at the cellar door and they also offer a variety of packages. The best value is the Wine Cheese Pairing, which includes two complementary wines and a cheese platter. The cheese platter is not your usual slivers of cheese either – it comes with a full wheel of local cheeses, chutneys and condiments to build your own selection.
The Heslop family run the winery and they are passionate about their wines. Jon, the winemaker, has a degree in Oenology and has experience working in prestigious vineyards around the world. His daughter Abbey is a rising star in the wine industry and she has her own style that is reflected in their wines.
- Mt Mee Winery
Mt Mee Winery is a relatively new winery in the region, but they are gaining rapid popularity. Their wines are a combination of traditional styles with more innovative options. The winery offers both wine tastings and tours of the vineyard, which you can book in advance. Guests can also order a cheese platter and settle in to relax.
While there are many large producers in the area, there is something special about discovering smaller wineries. One example is Woongooroo Estate, which has a cellar door that feels like the lounge room of a friend. The team there are warm and welcoming, and their wines are a testament to their passion for the craft.
Those who want to combine a winery visit with some other activities should head to Kooroomba Vineyard and Lavender Farm. This picturesque winery on Mt Tamborine has a cellar door and a restaurant serving contemporary Australian cuisine. It also has a lavender farm and six hectares of vineyards with spectacular views of the Scenic Rim mountains. It is also possible to stay onsite in the self-contained cottages on offer.
