Ballandean Estate has reinforced its position at the pinnacle of Queensland winemaking following a remarkable performance at the recent Queensland Wine Awards. For the second consecutive year, the estate has been honoured with Winery of the Year, Winemaker of the Year, and Viticulturalist of the Year — an achievement that places Ballandean Estate among an elite group of wineries recognised for outstanding quality and unwavering consistency. The winery secured top honours across multiple categories, affirming its dedication to producing premium wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Granite Belt.
Medal tally
This year, Ballandean Estate’s commitment to excellence was reflected in an impressive medal tally, with a total of 23 medals awarded at the Queensland Wine Awards. The estate received:
two Gold Medals for the 2024 Opera Block Shiraz and the 2024 Opera Block Cabernet Sauvignon, both awarded 95 points
an additional 12 Silver Medals awarded for 2024 Nebbiolo, 2023 Nebbiolo, 2018 Nebbiolo, 2024 Saperavi, 2024 Shiraz Viognier, 2025 Miscuglio, 2025 Rosé, 2025 Novello, 2025 White Pearl, Non-Vintage Fine Old Tawny, 2023 Opera Block Chardonnay, and 2024 Reserve Semillon
The estate also extends congratulations to Riversands Vineyards for whom Ballandean Estate serves as the winemaking team, after achieving outstanding results with a top Gold Medal for their 2024 Merlot and two high Silvers for the 2024 Saperavi and 2025 Vermentino, plus seven Bronze Medals. Together with Riversands, Ballandean Estate Wines brought home a total of 33 medals, further solidifying its place as a viticultural leader.
Andrew Corrigan MW, Robyn Robertson and Angelo Puglisi
Champion Mainstream Red Wine of Show
The Queensland Wine Awards, renowned for celebrating excellence in the state’s wine industry, further recognised Ballandean Estate with the trophy for Champion Mainstream Red Wine of Show for its 2024 Opera Block Cabernet Sauvignon— a testament to the region’s strength in crafting bold, cool-climate reds.
Reflecting on the estate’s achievements, Chief Winemaker Boxi Zhen shared,
“It’s a great honour to receive recognition from the prestigious judges at the Queensland Wine Awards, amongst them Andrew Santarossa (Gapstead Estate – Vic), Liz Heidenreich (Clare Valley SA) and Emma Shaw (Collector Wines – Canberra). Throughout the judging process, they maintained a benchmark for excellence — the only wines to receive medals must be medal-worthy on the national stage. As the industry faces down a challenging time of wine glut across Australia, the premium quality demonstrated is a testament to Queensland wineries showing strength, resilience and ambition.”
Boxi Zhen
Boxi Zhen and Andrew Corrigan MW
Mainstream varietals Shiraz and Cabernet score highly
“We’re thrilled to see our Shiraz and Cabernet scored so highly. Renowned judge Andrew Santarossa, CEO of Gaptstead Estate in north Victoria, told us we can be proud that both our mainstream and alternative varietals are most than just hitting the mark — the Granite Belt region is up there with the best Australia has to offer.”
Leeanne expressed her gratitude for the support of their loyal customers and the wider wine community.
“This achievement belongs to our entire team, from the vineyard to production and the cellar door. We invite everyone to come and taste these award-winning wines and experience the magic of the Granite Belt firsthand.
“These accolades serve as a significant milestone for Ballandean Estate, which has been a pioneer in the region for decades. The awards not only honour the quality of the current vintage but also underscore the estate’s enduring reputation for consistency and excellence.”
Mario Gangemi, Robyn Robertson, Robyn Puglisi-Henderson, Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi, Angelo Puglisi, Mary Puglisi, Boxi Zhen, Russell Wantling
As one of Queensland’s founding family-owned wineries, Ballandean Estate has a rich heritage of producing premium, cool-climate wines in the Granite Belt. The estate is renowned for its warm hospitality and its legacy of hosting memorable cultural events that bring the community together.
Ballandean Estate Wines celebrated a resounding success with its inaugural Vineyard Sing festival last Saturday, which saw over two hundred guests transform the winery’s iconic Opera Block into a vibrant open-air concert. The unique event blended a full day of live music with a participatory choir experience, culminating in a spectacular lightning storm and Barrelroom Wine Lounge party.
A musical journey
The festival unfolded over three sets, with popular local band No Relation providing a high-energy soundtrack of classic hits and interactive singing sessions led by esteemed choirmaster Dave Stuart.
“The energy was simply electric. Seeing hundreds of people, many of whom started the day as strangers, come together to sing in harmony, belting out Jon Bon Jovi, INXS, Stevie Wonder and more. Vineyard Sing was everything we hoped for and more,” said Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi, event organiser.
The day’s musical journey featured a special guest appearance from Michelle Hampton, a seasoned entertainer whose infectious energy got the crowd up and dancing, adding another layer of excitement to the day.
“ABBA’s Mama Mia was the moment the crowd lost its inhibitions, and it stayed that way for the afternoon, an hilarious outpouring of community joy. We are so grateful to our guests, our band No Relation, chef Jason Constanzo and Trappo Smoked Meats for making the first Vineyard Sing an unforgettable success.”
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
A feast for the ears, eyes and palates
The festival atmosphere was complemented by a diverse selection of gourmet food and drinks. The Ballandean Estate Wine Bar served its renowned cool-climate wines, while Rotary Stanthorpe managed a beer and spirits bar, successfully fundraising for Tessa Pascoe’s Apple and Grape Ambassador pursuit. The culinary lineup featured Italian-trained chef Jason Constanzo and Trappo Smoked Meats, with popular menu items including Smoked Brisket Tacos, gourmet pasta boxes, arancini, and cannoli.
Guests enjoyed the festival atmosphere under the marquee on VIP lounges and seating, and in the olive grove on picnic blankets and beanbags, with smooth logistics managed through return bus services and a fully catered on-site experience.
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
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.
Ballandean Estate Wines is transforming the iconic Opera Block stage into a vibrant, interactive music festival with the launch of Vineyard Sing on Saturday, November 8, 2025.
This unique event invites guests to become part of the performance in a day-long celebration of song, wine and community spirit. The six-hour concert experience will unfold in three sets, anchored by the popular band No Relation, known for their crowd-pleasing repertoire of pub classics from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.
Image: Sisters Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi (L) and Robyn Puglisi-Henderson (R) of Ballandean Estate Wines
“We wanted to create an experience that goes beyond just watching a performance; we want our guests to be the performance,” said Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi, event organiser at Ballandean Estate.
“Vineyard Sing is all about that collective joy you feel when you sing at the top of your lungs with friends, old and new. It’s a chance to connect, have fun, and make incredible memories together, surrounded by the beauty of the vineyard.”
Guiding the vocal journey is Choirmaster Dave Stuart, a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience blending vocal harmonies. Stuart, who has shared the stage with Australian music luminaries like Katie Noonan, James Morrison, Phil Emmanuel, and Peter Cupples, will teach attendees several songs in three-part harmony. The day culminates in a joyous group performance in the round, with a special guest appearance also teased for the event.
Vineyard Sing Songbook released
To build anticipation, the winery has launched the Vineyard Sing Songbook, which contains the lyrics for the day’s anthems. While the songs remain a secret, the collection promises singalong classics perfect for a sunset chorus.
“We’ve just published the songbook, and the excitement is building! Whether you’re a shower soloist or a car karaoke pro, this is your official invitation to warm up those vocal cords. We’re preparing for hundreds of voices to come together for one massive, unforgettable singalong,” added Puglisi-Gangemi.
The festival is fully catered, offering an array of gourmet food and drinks for purchase. The Ballandean Estate Wine Bar will pour its award-winning wines, while Rotary Stanthorpe will operate a beer and spirits bar as a fundraiser for Tessa Pascoe’s Apple and Grape Ambassador pursuit. The culinary lineup features creations from Italian-trained chef Jason Constanzo and low-and-slow barbecue from Trappo Smoked Meats, with menu items including Bruschetta, cheese boxes, Arancini, gourmet pasta boxes, Smoked Brisket Tacos, and Cannoli.
Welcome to bring your own picnic blanket, beanbags and chairs, but no food or alcohol
Ballandean Estate Wines, Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery, has been awarded a Five-Star Rating by the Halliday Wine Companion. This recognition places the Granite Belt winery among Australia’s most outstanding wine producers, acknowledging its consistent production of wines of exemplary quality and character.
Fourth-generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi expressed her pride in the achievement.
Generations of winemaking excellence underpin Five-Star Rating
“We’re always grateful to have our commitment to excellence across five generations of winemaking recognised. Ballandean Estate exceeded Halliday’s stringent criteria with three of our wines achieving the coveted 95-point score: our 2023 Nebbiolo, 2023 Small Batch Reserve Chardonnay, and Angelo’s 1987 Rare Tawny.
“This Five-Star Rating requires wineries to demonstrate a pattern of producing wines of exceptional quality. We’d also like to congratulate Balancing Heart Wines and Symphony Hill Wines for achieving this status.
“Ballandean Estate continues to push boundaries whilst honouring traditional winemaking practices. We’d like to thank our teams in the vineyard, cellar door and production staff for raising the bar when it comes to innovation and quality. A big shout out to winemaker Boxi Zhen and our vineyard manager Robyn Robertson.
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
Ballandean Estate’s recognition reflects decades of dedication to crafting premium cool-climate wines from their high-altitude vineyards situated over 800 metres above sea level. The Granite Belts’s unique terroir, characterised by free-draining granitic soils and cool-climate conditions, provides ideal growing conditions for both traditional and alternative varietals.
A word from James Halliday
James Halliday praised the winery, describing it as “A rock of ages in the Granite Belt, owned by the ever-cheerful and charming Angelo and Mary Puglisi. Ballandean Estate’s cool-climate, high-altitude and granitic terroir deliver national and international award-winning wines.”
Five-Star Rating builds on awards trajectory
The Five-Star Rating comes following Ballandean Estate’s remarkable success at the 40th Queensland Wine Awards in 2024, where the winery claimed eight major trophies, including Winery of the Year, Winemaker of the Year and Viticulturalist of the Year. The five-star rating places Ballandean Estate among an elite group of Australian wineries recognised for their outstanding quality and consistency.
Established in 1932 by Salvatore Cardillo, Ballandean Estate has been pioneering Queensland winemaking for over nine decades. The estate’s unique terroir, characterised by granitic soils, cool climate conditions, and high altitude, creates ideal conditions for producing wines with intense flavours and natural acidity that have earned national and international recognition.
As we count down the days until winter pruning is complete at Ballandean Estate, we’re reminded why we cherish this time of year. The crisp winter mornings, breathtaking sunsets, and the anticipation of spring’s arrival when bud burst will signal the start of a new growing season.
The end of winter at Ballandean Estate brings a special kind of magic to our vineyard. While our vines have been resting in their deep winter sleep, thanks to those essential sub-zero temperatures we’ve enjoyed since June, our vineyard team has been working through the frosty mornings on one of our most important annual tasks: pruning.
This mammoth undertaking is reaching completion, as our team has carefully pruned each dormant vine by hand. It’s meticulous work that requires skill and patience, but it’s absolutely crucial for the quality of next season’s harvest.
What makes our pruning technique special?
We’re not just following tradition—we’re innovating. Our team is currently conducting trial work, experimenting with different pruning techniques to see how we can achieve various crop loads. This commitment to continuous improvement is what sets Ballandean Estate apart and helps us produce the exceptional wines you love.
The pruning process involves removing excess canes and carefully shaping each vine to optimize sunlight exposure and airflow. This attention to detail during the dormant season directly impacts the quality and quantity of grapes we’ll harvest in the months ahead, all contributing to the unique character of our cool climate wines.
Why cool climate makes all the difference
The Granite Belt’s unique position as Australia’s highest wine region—less than 1% of Australian vineyards sit 600m above sea level—creates the perfect conditions for cool climate wine production. Our high-altitude location delivers natural acidity that enhances freshness, structure, and lift in every bottle. Cool climate wines are medium-bodied, fresh, and focused, with refined tannins, impressive flavor intensity, and moderate alcohol levels that express our terroir with remarkable elegance.
Ballandean Estate is thrilled to announce its inaugural Vineyard Sing, a music festival set to take place this Saturday 8 November at the Opera Block stage.
Event organiser Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi says, “We’ve been looking to shake up our Spring Vineyard party, and with 27 Operas in the Vineyard to cherish, we want to give our loyal wine-lovers an opportunity to connect again through music.
“Ballandean Estate is inviting people of all musical abilities to gather, drink wine, and sing together — united by a shared love of music, fun, and community. Vineyard Sing isn’t your average day in the vines — this is a full-bodied blend of wine, music, and unfiltered joy!
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
Bringing wine lovers together to make beautiful music
“Just weeks ago, we were reminiscing about Opera with some friends in the Barrelroom. Creative juices started flowing, and I reached out to my mate Todd from local band No Relation, adored for their pub classics, 70s, 80s and 90s covers. Imagine my delight to discover his bandmate Dave was a choirmaster for 20 years in Sydney! And that the big band was keen to perform again together.
“Vineyard Sing took shape. You’ll be guided by a charismatic choir leader who teaches several songs in three-part harmony over the course of the afternoon. By the end, our wine lovers will perform these songs together in the round, creating hilarious, joyous memories along the way.
Wine, beer and spirit bars, smoked meats and Italian treats
“Our world-class wines will be flowing at the Ballandean Estate Wine Bar. For the beer and spirit lover, Rotary Stanthorpe will be fundraising for Tessa Pascoe’s Apple and Grape Ambassador pursuit.
“Vineyard Sing will have a range of foodie delights on offer, from Bruschetta, cheese boxes, Arancini, gourmet pasta boxes, Smoked Brisket Tacos, and life-changing Cannolii to sweeten your song.
“We are excited to welcome Italian-trained chef Jason Constanzo back to Ballandean Estate, and cannot wait to indulge in low and slow carnivore treats from Trappo Smoked Meats.”
“Good vibes, loud singing, great wine and food — pack your friends and head to Ballandean, it’s going to be awesome!” says Ms Gangemi.
The event kicks off at 1130am at 354 Sundown Road Ballandean, and runs until 4pm, with buses running to and from Stanthorpe.
Tickets to Vineyard Sing are just $49, and the event is fully catered. All food and wine can be purchased onsite.
Ballandean Estate’s 2023 Nebbiolo has claimed a coveted Special Value rosette from the Halliday Wine Companion, solidifying its reputation as one of Australia’s finest and most accessible wines. The rosette recognition places the 2023 Nebbiolo among Australia’s top 28 value-for-money wines, a testament to the estate’s dedication to crafting premium wines that offer exceptional quality at an affordable price.
Halliday Wine Companion announces 2023 Nebbiolo as a 95-point wine
Wine critic Mike Bennie of the Halliday Wine Companion praised the wine’s finely tuned balance of fruit, tannins, and unique regional personality, calling it “a very good expression” with “palpable energy.”
“It’s tightly wound and succulent in dark cherry fruit character, laden with woody spice and dried herb elements, shows off faint, bloody savouriness, some black olive notes, hazelnut, faint minty lift and dashes of white pepper. So much going on. The tannins are fine and firm, the wine feeling almost slate-like in texture with its mineral charm. It is compact and draws long and to a fine point, with palpable energy. There’s a sense that this wine will cellar exceptionally long, too,” says Mr Bennie.
Mike Bennie, wine critic
“We were thrilled to have our 2023 Nebbiolo announced as a 95-point wine by James Halliday. This Special Value rosette recognition further underscores the passion, innovation, and craftsmanship that define our wines.”
Robyn Puglisi-Henderson, Ballandean Estate’s business manager
Nebbiolo, a noble varietal
Known as the “King of Wines” in Italy, Nebbiolo is the noble variety behind Barolo, cherished for its complexity, versatility, and powerful tannic structure. Ballandean Estate has been cultivating Nebbiolo in Queensland’s Granite Belt since the late 1990s, harnessing the region’s cool climate and high-altitude vineyards at 850m above sea level to produce a uniquely Australian expression of this iconic varietal.
The 2023 Nebbiolo has seen significant acclaim, winning an impressive array of awards, including a silver medal at the Queensland Wine Awards and the Royal Agricultural Society of Queensland as well as a trophy and additional silver medal at Australian Mediterranean Varieties Wine Show.
A word from the winemaker
Winemaker Boxi Zhen has perfected Ballandean Estate’s distinctive Nebbiolo, describing it as “big on flavor yet elegantly approachable.”
“The 2023 vintage underwent meticulous monitoring in the vineyard, hand-picked at peak balance of flavor, acidity, and tannin ripeness.
“Long fermentation was followed by 14 months of maturation in reserve French oak barrels, resulting in a medium-bodied wine with vibrant dark cherry fruit, woody spice, hazelnut, and complex savory notes. You can enjoy it now or cellar for up to 15 years.”
Available now for $42 per bottle, the 2023 Nebbiolo is a centrepiece of Ballandean Estate’s Strange Bird collection, highlighting rare and alternative varietals that make up less than 1% of Australian grapes. This limited release, with only 160 cases produced, represents the estate’s commitment to innovation while preserving its rich heritage as Queensland’s oldest family-owned winery.
Ballandean Estate’s production facility is thriving at full capacity after successfully harvesting 95% of Vintage 25, dodging the looming threat of Cyclone Alfred last week.
Fourth-generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi reflected on the whirlwind week, sharing,
“We are high and dry for Vintage 25! Over the weekend, we received just 15 mm of rain here at Ballandean, and we are counting our blessings, almost 200 tons of fruit. We harvested just 9 tons of fruit during drought back in 2020, which placed terrible stress on our vines. It took them three years to recover, perfect timing for our new winemaker Boxi Zhen, who now has three outstanding vintages to his credit.”
Weather enhancing gowing conditions for an early vintage
The rush to complete the harvest has led to an exceptional vintage in the making.
“The weather has really worked in our favour this year, our dams are full, we had vintage start early in January, no hail and minimal rain conditions bringing the sugars up early for beautifully balanced fruit with an acidic spine. Our next few years of wines are just looking better and better!
“Last week, we brought in Shiraz, Durif, and Merlot grapes, all of which were ready early thankfully. A big shout out to the harvesting team from Sirromet Wines—Phil, Doug, and Brad—who went above and beyond to help us bring in most of our harvest before Cyclone Alfred arrived. We have just a small parcel of our Shiraz and Cabernet out to finish ripening.
“There are some sensational wines under crush, and our production facility is at capacity—a bumper vintage indeed. We are now patiently waiting for ferments to finish so we can make way for our hero red varietals,” Leeanne added.
A warm welcome awaits at the cellar door
The recent cyclone may have kept some visitors at bay, but the Granite Belt vineyard remains as welcoming as ever. Leeanne warmly extended her invitation to wine enthusiasts, saying,
“It’s been a quiet weekend with a smattering of visitors from the Sunshine Coast and Hervey Bay. We just want to assure weather-affected wine lovers that you can expect a warm welcome at Ballandean Estate once you’re ready. The Granite Belt is waiting for you!”
“Wine lovers can look forward to experiencing the estate’s latest vintage releases and award-winning wines.
“We’d love to share our newest vintages and Wild Ferments with you. Our 2023 Wild Ferment Viognier has taken out nine medals thus far, plus a trophy at the Toowoomba Royal Wine Show,” said Ms Puglisi-Gangemi.
Located in Queensland’s beautiful Granite Belt, Ballandean Estate continues to uphold its legacy as Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery. Visitors to Ballandean can enjoy premium cool-climate wines, explore the rustic cellar door, and take in the breathtaking backdrop of wine country just a short drive from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, and the Gold Coast.
Wine-lovers descended upon Ballandean Estate last Saturday at the latest vineyard party celebrating the end of spring and the excitement of the new harvest to come. Revellers joined Angelo Puglisi, the Father of Queensland Wine — and five generations of the Puglisi family — for yet another a party to remember.
Angelo’s daughter and estate ambassador Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi said,
“We farewelled Spring in spectacular fashion over the weekend. Our party people gathered on the Opera Block from far and wide, enjoying live music from No Relation and dancing in the rain. Moody skies, verdant greens, a shower or three helped make it a day to remember. With world-class wines flowing and a great Italian-inspired meal thanks to Italian-trained chef Jason Constanzo, we laughed, ate and danced the afternoon away, such a fabulous way to spend the day.
“We shared Angelo’s 1987 Rare Tawny as a special treat for everyone, the perfect pairing with Nonna’s amazing tiramisu. This is a history-making release, embodying Dad’s lifetime building one of the oldest family-owned wineries in Queensland. What a way to top off a relaxing afternoon in Ballandean.”
Over the past 80 years, Angelo Puglisi’s family business has been at the forefront of developing and promoting the Queensland wine industry, from modest beginnings to a now multi-million-dollar industry. Queensland’s Angelo Puglisi Grand Champion Wine of Show award is a perpetual acknowledgment to Puglisi’s influence and respect in the industry.
