Ballandean Estate scoops prize pool at 40th Queensland Wine Awards

Ballandean Estate was awarded a plethora of trophies at the 40th Annual Queensland Wine Awards Presentation Dinner, held at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism in Stanthorpe Thursday 31 October. The event was attended by 100-plus vignerons, international critics and dignitaries.

A winning trajectory

Queensland’s oldest family-owned and run winery was awarded:

1. Winery of the Year
2. Winemaker of the Year – Boxi Zhen
3. Viticulturalist of the Year – Angelo Puglisi and Robyn Robertson
4. Champion Wine of Show – 2024 Fiano
5. Champion Mainstream White Variety – 2023 Chardonnay
6. Champion Mainstream Red Variety – 2023 Shiraz Viognier
7. Champion Emerging Variety White – 2024 Fiano
8. Champion Estate Grown White –  2024 Fiano

Fourth-generation vigneron Leanne Puglisi-Gangemi says,

“This is one of Ballandean Estate’s biggest wins, on a par with taking out the first major national trophy for a Queensland winery as Most Successful Exhibitor in the early nineties at the Australian Small Winemakers Show, and our gold medal  at the 2018 Saperavi World Prize.

“Yet another ringing endorsement for our young gun Boxi Zhen in his second vintage as a Granite Belt winemaker. He is really making his mark as Emerging Queensland Winemaker of the Year.”

Congratulations to the winners

“We congratulate our friends and neighbours from Sancerre Estate Brad and Stacey Allen, Ridgemill Estate, Sirromet, Riversands Wines and Tony Hassell from Just Red Wines, who received the Samuel Basset award for his significant contribution to the Queensland wine industry.”

Other awardees were:

• Samuel Bassett Award –  Tony Hassell from Just Red Wines
• Champion Emerging Variety Red  –  Ridgemill Estate 2023 WYP Saperavi
• Champion Fortified or Sparkling Sirromet Wines 2022 Nadin Blanc de Blanc
• Champion Wine of Provenance – Sancerre Estate Alvarino
• Champion Estate Grown White  – Ridgemill Estate 2023 WYP Saperavi
• Stewards Choice Best of Queensland  – Riversands Wines 2023 Merlot
• Stewards Choice Granite Belt  – Sirromet Wines 2009 Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay
• Stewards Choice South Burnett  – not presented

Vineyard accolades

“It’s great to see the work we do in the vineyard recognised. It’s the quality of our fruit that sets us apart, high altitude and cool climate delivering intense flavours and such high acid. Big thanks for the tender loving cultivation of our vines by vineyard manager Robyn Robertson, and Dad, the Father of Queensland wine, Angelo Puglisi, and to our vineyard and winemaking teams.”

James Halliday 95-point wines

“We’ve just had three of our wines announced as 95-point wines by James Halliday: 2023 Nebbiolo, 2023 Small Batch Reserve Chardonnay, and Angelo’s Vintage Tawny 1987, which we’ll be releasing as an exclusive limited edition in a few weeks’ time. These 95-point wines qualify us to be a five-star-rated winery in the next release of the Halliday Wine Companion.”