Ballandean Estate hosted its first vineyard party in five years to honour Angelo Puglisi, founder of the Queensland wine industry, in a belated 80th birthday celebration on his beloved Opera Block.
In support of the Queensland wine industry
Over 250 supporters of Queensland’s wine industry braved the weather to honour Angelo Puglisi, the Father of Queensland Wine — and the Puglisi family — for an event to remember.
Angelo’s daughter and estate manager Robyn Puglisi Henderson says,
“This event has been a long time coming. The Opera Block is where Mum and Dad planted some of the Granite Belt’s first wine grapes, and our Opera Block Shiraz in 1968.
“It is beyond their wildest dreams what has happened over the course of 50-plus years on this vineyard. From 27 Opera events raising $1.4 million for charity, to Grazing the Granite Belt, Stanthorpe Rocks, Jazz in the Vineyard, weddings, festivals and race days.
“Our last vineyard party was in 2018, held in honour of the 50th anniversary of our Shiraz planting. So many of our customers have returned to celebrate not just Dad, but their lifelong support of Queensland wine.”
Robyn Puglisi Henderson
Wine pioneers
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.
Vineyard party atmosphere
Guests enjoyed a long lunch and party atmosphere under twelve marquees, live music from David & Sarah Hume, bocce and croquet in the vines. Local Italian-trained chef Italian-trained chef Jason Constanzo served antipasto, followed by an assortment of pastas, locally made Italian meatballs and an array of salads. Foxy’s Bakery in Stanthorpe supplied the birthday cake.
Queensland’s oldest family-run winery is getting ready to welcome 1000-plus visitors through its cellar door this weekend. Ballandean Estate is hosting its first vineyard party in five years to honour Angelo Puglisi, the Father of Queensland Wine, in a belated 80th birthday celebration on his beloved Opera Block.
Angelo’s daughter and estate manager Robyn Puglisi Henderson says,
“This event has been a long time coming. Our last vineyard party in 2018 was in honour of the 50th anniversary of our Shiraz planting, some of Australia’s oldest vines. Mum and Dad planted some of the Granite Belt’s first wine grapes, and our Opera Block Shiraz in 1968.
“We’re ready to enjoy a mouth-watering long lunch and party atmosphere. Twelve marquees! Local Italian-trained chef Jason Constanzo, is starting us with antipasto, followed by an assortment of pastas, locally made Italian sausages and an array of sensuous salads. And, of course, Ballandean Estate’s premium wines.
“Our 250-plus party guests will be treated to live music from David & Sarah Hume, bocce, croquet, Giant Yahtzee, and of course, birthday cake, thanks to Foxy’s Bakery in Stanthorpe.
“We’re kicking off festivities at 11am. Ballandean Estate will also be welcoming Grazing the Granite Belt punters through our cellar door and into the Barrelroom Wine Lounge over the day. All hands on deck!.”.
Robyn Puglisi Henderson
Over the past 80 years, Angelo’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.
Join Angelo Puglisi, the Father of Queensland Wine — and the Puglisi family — for an event to remember.
Angelo Puglisi, the Father of Queensland Wine, celebrated his 80th birthday Saturday 29 July at Ballandean Estate.
The founder of Queensland’s oldest family-run winery has spent his entire life on Ballandean Estate. For almost a century Angelo’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.
Wine pioneers
“We knew that wine tourism would follow once there was wine to sell and some more cellar doors in the region. When we opened the cellar door four years after planting our first the Shiraz in 1968, there were only 300 wineries in Australia — now there is over 3300!”, says Mary Puglisi, Angelo’s wife of 50-plus years.
You’ll still find Angelo on his red tractor most days at Ballandean, tending his beloved vines, although he isn’t shy of a post-lunch siesta.
“If I drop dead at 104, this is where you’ll find me, propped up against a fence post, tractor wheels still turning.
“I live and breathe these vines and wines. We opened our cellar door back in 1972. Through the years Mary and I have welcomed tens of thousands of visitors per year to taste wines and enjoy the hospitality. Mary and I, we’ve had 55 years together as a team, and we’ll keep on working as a team. I couldn’t have done any of this without her.
“One of my proudest achievements is Opera in the Vineyard. It raised over $1 million for charity in partnership with The Rotary Club of Stanthorpe over 27 brilliant events.
“Our greatest achievement by far though is our daughters, Robyn and Leeanne. How many wineries in Australia are run by a sister act? Movers and shakers, be it on the Australian Grape and Wine Association board, lobbying government, organising community events, they represent the Puglisi fighting spirit — and love of a yarn at the cellar door!”
Rebel with a cause
Estate manager and daughter Robyn Puglisi Henderson says,
“Dad’s always been a rebel! He and Mum took over the farm back in 1968 with big dreams, a vision to develop a viable wine industry in the Granite Belt region. They planted some of the Granite Belt’s first wine grapes, and our Opera Block Shiraz in 1968, some of Australia’s oldest vines. The vines whispered their secrets to him, igniting a lifelong passion that would shape his destiny.
“Angelo wasn’t shy of stopping traffic in his twenties, when trucks rolled down the main street of Stanthorpe laden with his massive barrels from Penfolds, spectators agog.
“Mum and Dad were presented their first winemaking gold medal 45 years ago at Royal Queensland Wine Show (RQWS) Awards. Back then, Angelo was swaggering about wearing Elvis Presley sideburns and a purple safari suit.
“Since then, his passion and dedication have shaped the renowned Ballandean Estate Wines, inspiring countless others to make wine on the Granite Belt.”
Influence and innovation
“Dad’s influence will continue to shape the future of the Granite Belt. He’s been instrumental in establishing the Granite Belt’s as an alternative wine destination. Experimenting with varieties that fit our unique climate and terroir is what gets him excited. We have over 13 Strange Bird varietals planted by Dad at Ballandean Estate, says Robyn.
In a nation where most producers pulled up their vines in the late eighties at government behest, this is a remarkable achievement, and testament to the vision of Angelo and Mary Puglisi, pioneers of the wine industry in Queensland. Queensland’s Angelo Puglisi Grand Champion Wine of Show award at the Brisbane RNA is a perpetual acknowledgment to Puglisi’s influence and respect in the industry.
Angelo’s fighting spirit has seen him repeatedly triumph over adversity. According to Granite Belt winemaker Mike Hayes, “Angelo has been a real battler for his family. For that he has been rewarded with a rich life. He inspires me. I have got nothing by the highest respect for that family and what they have achieved.”
When it comes to pizzaz and Australian Shiraz, wine pioneers and Ballandean Estate founders Angelo and Mary Puglisi will be celebrating their lifetime achievement in style on Australia’s second annual Shiraz Wine Day this Thursday 22 July 2021. They stand behind over 50 years of Shiraz, a remarkable achievement in a nation where most producers pulled up their vines in the late eighties at government behest.
Ballandean Estate’s award-winning single vineyard premium Shiraz is sourced from the Opera Block’s oldest vines, planted in 1968, some of the oldest in Australia. It’s a living testament to the vision of Angelo and Mary Puglisi, pioneers of the wine industry in Queensland.
“It’s hard to believe that Australia’s most popular red grape varietal almost didn’t survive, given that we now have some of the oldest shiraz vines in the world.
Ballandean Estate’s low yielding, gnarly old vines are a rarity. Many of the original European vineyards and South Australian shiraz vines were wiped out by a disease called phylloxera.
Our cool climate Shiraz is a family jewel. Most Shiraz vines in Australia are under 15 years old — and the older the vines, the lower the yield and more luscious the fruit.
We’ve come a long way since the sixties, when the naysayers told us the vineyard would fail — because only wogs drink wine in Queensland!
Our expression of terroir begins in the vineyard, our hands and in our hearts. We work the soil, we tend the grapes — every bottle tells a story, the people, the place, the passion.”
Mary and I planted those Shiraz vines in 1968, and just a few years later, our 1974 Shiraz Cabernet took out the gold medal at the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland Show (RNA, also known as the Ekka).
Fifty years on, these vines are bearing incredible fruit!” laughs Angelo, fondly regarded as the father of Queensland wine.”
Angelo Puglisi
A perpetual acknowledgment to the Puglisi’s influence and respect in the industry, The Angelo Puglisi Grand Champion Wine of Show award, was established in 2019.
“Ballandean Estate’s 2018 Opera Block Shiraz is a sophisticated example of cool climate Shiraz.
“This 50th vintage has tannins of silk, a caressing texture, lovely length of black fruits, oak spice, spotlessly woven flavours and a palate-pleasing light to medium body.”
Queensland’s oldest family-owned and -operated winery future-proofed its reputation for word-class Shiraz by planting 5000 Shiraz plants next to the Opera Block vineyard in early 2021.
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi of
Ballandean Estate on the Granite Belt has been honoured with the prestigious
Samuel Bassett Award at this week’s 36th Queensland Wine Awards. One of
Australia’s most influential woman in
wine, Leeanne is the third Puglisi family member to receive this award,
which recognises a major contribution by an individual to the Queensland wine
industry.
I am truly humbled by this. To stand in the company of industry greats such as Terry Morris from Sirromet and my wine pioneer parents is awe-inspiring. Educating national and international consumers about the quality of Queensland wines is what drives me. That and expanding on my family’s legacy to the Granite Belt.
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
Leeanne’s father Angelo Puglisi, Ballandean Estate’s founder and industry pioneer was presented with the inaugural Bassett award in 2003. Estate Matriarch Mary Puglisi was the first female to be recognised for her contribution to the Queensland wine industry with this award in 2015. Estate manager and sister Robyn Puglisi-Henderson collected the award on Leeanne’s behalf in Brisbane on Tuesday 4 September.
We just live and breathe fine wine! It’s great to see Leeanne recognised for her advocacy. She’s worked tirelessly as an industry ambassador for decades.
I picked up the award on her behalf, as Leeanne was at a board meeting of Australian Grape and Wine in Adelaide. This is yet another place where she is the voice of Queensland wine, making sure we are not forgotten.
Leeanne loves a chat at the cellar door, as she does the opportunity to talk strategic Australian wine industry direction with politicians and industry heavyweights.
Robyn Puglisi-Henderson
Ballandean Estate has a rich
history of empowered women in wine. Business and Export Manager Robyn
Puglisi-Henderson developed the export trade from zero to 20% of business
turnover in just five years, and has opened up export trade to China, where
there is significant demand for Ballandean’s premium reds.
Leeanne and Robyn’s grandmother
Josephine was a true Australian pioneer and business woman. Arriving in
Australia from Sicily at just 12 years of age, she went on to build the
foundation of Ballandean Estate with her father and husband over four decades.
She stared down the Australian army demanding to put her husband and father in
internment camps and surrender of farm machinery during World War 2, and
instead, she negotiated a deal to supply their crops to feed the Army as an
alternative.
At just 19 years of age, estate matriarch
and wine pioneer Mary Puglisi visualised opening a cellar door and being the
catalyst for Queensland’s Barossa and Hunter Valley on the Granite Belt with
husband Angelo Puglisi. She spent 50 years building the Granite’s Belt’s
thriving tourism industry.
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi was recently voted onto the Winemaker’s Federation board, and is Queensland’s first female voice and vote.
The Bassett Award is named after
wine industry pioneer Samuel Bassett who established Bassett’s Winery at Roma
in 1863 and went on to win many medals for his wines, including 10 of the 11
awarded at the 1901 Royal Brisbane Show.
ENDS
For all media
enquiries please contact:
Leeanne
Puglisi-Gangemi or Robyn Puglisi-Henderson
Last Friday you mentioned you love Fish and you love Families and we know you love Wine, we have it all in Ballandean.
Fish
You haven’t seen a good fish photo in awhile? This little fish was caught on the Severn River in Ballandean just this week. It was let go after a brief kiss and lives to see another day. (Fish caught and photo taken by Granite Belt locals)
Families
I also love being a ‘family in business’. The pride in our history. The emotional connection to our ancestors who died before we were born, but trod the same ground every day as we do. Equally I love that our children come to work after school every day and Nonna spoils them lasagne for afternoon tea. I have attached my favourite photo, faint as it is, of my sister Leeanne and myself in our vineyard in 1974. No doubt our parents assured the journalist on the day that we would be taking over the winery, it was undoubtedly a hopeful dream in such early days of the Queensland Wine Industry. Over the next 40 years, our parents Angelo and Mary Puglisi not only built an industry, but also a business and a story that we couldn’t resist being a part of.
Wine
Sometimes I love the wine industry and sometimes I don’t. Frost and hail have taken 40% of our vineyards the last two years in a row.
Too often here in Queensland we have to defend our right to be respected in the Australian Wine Industry. This is my family’s 84th vintage on this property and we have been open 7 days a week for 45 years catering to tens of thousands of tourists every year. We hope each of them takes some part of our story home when they leave.
Here on the Granite Belt we are justifiably proud of our achievements. There are five James Halliday 5 star wineries within 25 minutes of our doorstep, and along with our neighbours, we have been named as a James Halliday Top 10 Darkhorse.
It might seem that Qld is far away from the rest of the industry but my husband Ian Henderson is on the board of AGWA and my sister Leeanne Gangemi is on the Small Winemakers Committee of the WFA. You might not find our wines across Australia, but interested somelliers seek us out and satisfied wine tourists are plentiful in our region.
Like so many other boutique wineries, we have a great story, a great family, big hearts and a small marketing budget. We strive hard every day to make great wine. It’s the story we are creating that will be remembered long after the last vintage has been consumed. It’s the story that we are creating that will ultimately convince the next generation to return and write new chapters in the Australian Wine Industry. Lucky for iPhones, I have been taking photos of our kids in the vineyard for years…just in case.