Ballandean Estate wins two trophies for 2024 Durif at Australian Small Winemakers Show

Ballandean Estate Wines, Queensland’s oldest family-owned winery, has secured two major trophies for its 2024 Durif at the prestigious 2025 Australian Small Winemakers Show. The accolades celebrate the estate’s commitment to producing exceptional cool-climate wines in the Granite Belt region.

The 2024 Durif scored 96 points from the judges and received the following awards:

·         Preben Jacobsen Memorial Stewards’ Choice Trophy

·         Best Queensland Red Wine of Show Trophy

Image: (L to R) Boxi Zhen, Ballandean Estate Winemaker; Chris Doig, President Australian Small Winemakers Show;  Robyn Puglisi-Henderson, Ballandean Estate Business Manager

Ballandean Estate’s Winemaker Boxi Zhen, who is building on his reputation as  2024’s Emerging  Winemaker of the Year, shared some of the challenges inherent to this Strange Bird varietal,

“Durif is renowned for being both beautiful and challenging in the Granite Belt, with tight clusters that require meticulous care in vineyard and cellar. The effort spent coaxing out its best qualities is evident in this vintage, which offers uniquely Granite Belt fruit profiles and a dark, graphite-like tannin structure—distinctively different from other regional Durifs.

“The 2024 release is marked by harmony between rich fruit and oak, matured in 50% new French barrels that are seamlessly integrated. Expect a wine with balance, structure, and a velvety-silky palate. Pronounced black berry characters, florals, and vanilla cream notes lift the nose in this benchmark Australian Durif.”

According to Business Manager Robyn Puglisi-Henderson,

“Winning two trophies on the night for our 2024 Durif was a great honour. Receiving the Preben Jacobsen Memorial Stewards Choice Award was a special moment for the Puglisi family. Long time family friends and associates, Dad (Angelo Puglisi) and Preben Jacobsen were part of the original committee which established the Australian Small Winemakers Show back in the seventies.

“We purchased our Bellevue vineyard from Preben back in 1996, and 12 years later we planted our Durif vines on that property.  It is a fitting tribute to see this varietal flourish on the land we are now custodians of.

“Preben would be thrilled to see a Granite Belt Durif awarded 96 points, scoring ahead of wines from Rutherglen and Barossa. 

“Ballandean Estate had an excellent growing season, which allowed us to craft a wine with a distinct Granite Belt character that we are incredibly proud to share. Winning Best Queensland Red Wine of the show was an added reason to celebrate.”

TASTING NOTE AND JUDGES’ COMMENTS

2024 Durif — 96 points

Lovely fragrance of lavender and violet; hugely floral and inviting. Tarry, graphite-edged tannins provide direction and freshness. Harmonious oak integration (50% new French). Velvety, silky palate with pronounced black berries and a touch of vanilla cream. Distinctive Granite Belt Durif—delicious now, with structure to age.

FAST FACTS

• Ballandean Estate produced 1929 bottles of 2024 Durif this year, 160 cases, 14% alc v/v
• One hectare of Durif is currently planted in the  Bellevue vineyard, 850 metres above sea level at Ballandean.
• Ballandean Estate harvested 3.9 tonnes harvested in 2024 after two rounds of heavy bunch thinning. Of these, 2.4 tonnes of the best bunches were selected to produce the straight 2024 Durif.
• Media tasting samples are available upon request.