Ballandean Estate’s Robyn Puglisi-Henderson wins 2026 Samuel Bassett Award
Robyn Puglisi-Henderson, Business Manager at Ballandean Estate Wines, has been honored with the 2026 Samuel Bassett Award at the 42nd Annual Queensland Wine Awards, held this week in Stanthorpe. The award is the Queensland wine industry’s highest mark of tribute, recognising long-term contribution and leadership.
Robyn is a fourth-generation member of the Puglisi family, the founders and custodians of Ballandean Estate, Queensland’s oldest family-run winery. She has played a vital role in the growth and resilience of the business for more than 25 years, since returning to the estate in 1999.
“Among Robyn’s standout achievements is developing the estate’s export trade from zero to 20 per cent of business turnover in just five years, including establishing a market in China for the Granite Belt’s premium red wine. The Samuel Bassett Award celebrates those who believe in what we do, who aren’t afraid to hold our ground in the face of the doubters, and who leave the industry better placed than they found it.”
Adam Penberthy, President of the Queensland Wine Industry Association
Generational service to the Granite Belt
With this win, Robyn becomes the fourth member of the Puglisi family to receive the Samuel Bassett Award, following her father Angelo Puglisi (2003), her mother Mary Puglisi (2015), and her sister Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi (2019). Together, their achievements reflect a rare family legacy of leadership that has helped shape the Granite Belt into one of Australia’s most celebrated cool-climate wine regions.
Over her career at Ballandean Estate, Robyn’s contribution has spanned export, sales, finance, administration, people, projects, tourism, and customer experience.
A champion of Queensland wines
“We opened the cellar the year I was born. I think I’ve spent more time there talking to people than I have at home! Being part of the Granite Belt’s tourism story for over 50 years is an honour. This week, we saw Stanthorpe awarded Gold at the 2026 Australian Top Tourism Town Awards. What a journey.
“I was raised in a proud winemaking family. and it is my job and my hobby to champion Queensland wine. It is a pleasure to be part of such a great community who share the same passion for premium wine and visitor experiences,”said Robyn Puglisi-Henderson.
Robyn’s work reflects the essential, often less visible efforts that sustain a regional wine industry: building resilient businesses, creating new markets, supporting people, and ensuring that the achievements of one generation become the foundations for the next. Her contribution to the wider community was also recognised in 2016, when she received a Paul Harris Fellow Award for Community Service.
The Samuel Bassett Award is named for wine industry pioneer Samuel Symons Bassett, who hauled the first wine grape cuttings to Roma in 1863, laying an early foundation for winemaking in Queensland.
About Ballandean Estate Wines
Ballandean Estate is Queensland’s oldest family owned and operated winery. Located on the Granite Belt, 850 metres above sea level, the estate has been making wine since 1932 and is home to some of Australia’s oldest Shiraz vines and rarest wine varietals. Combining the best of old and new winemaking traditions, Ballandean Estate produces premium cool climate wines and warmly welcomes visitors to its cellar door at 354 Sundown Road, Ballandean.
Ballandean Estate is open daily at 354 Sundown Road, Ballandean. For more information, visit ballandeanestate.com.
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