Queensland’s oldest family owned and operated winery today announced it has been recognised by Tripadvisor as a 2023 Travellers’ Choice award winner. The coveted award celebrates businesses that have consistently received great traveller reviews on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months, placing these winners among the 10% of all listings on Tripadvisor globally.
Ballandean Estate Wines stood out by consistently delivering unforgettable experiences to cellar door visitors. For almost a century the family business has been at the forefront of developing and promoting the Queensland wine industry, from modest beginnings to a multi-million-dollar industry.
“We live and breathe wine! Our passion shines through in all that we do. When people walk into our cellar door, we just want to show them the best time – and of course, our sensational wines.
“Our cellar door is an extension of our Italian hospitality. Over the years, we’ve welcomed hundreds of thousands of people through our cellar door. The massive increase in visitation to the Granite Belt has given us the opportunity to innovate with our visitor offering.
“In June 2022, we opened the Granite Belt’s first wine lounge. It’s a place for you to bring your friends and family, sink into a leather lounge, indulge in a wine flight of your choice, a Strange Bird varietal, or a glass of our 50th Anniversary Opera Block Shiraz.
“We’re so lucky to have Graeme Haynes managing the Barrelroom Wine Lounge. Finesse! Style. Charm. Depth of wine knowledge, elegant service and a gifted storyteller – and born and bred in Ballandean! Under his guidance, our staff consistently delivers a five-star visitor experience.
“Graeme brings 20-plus years of fine dining experience with Melbournes’s most prestigious catering business, taking care of events such as the Birdcage at the Melbourne Cup and long table degustation luncheons. It’s such a great learning opportunity for our staff, who he continues to mentor,” says Ms Puglisi-Gangemi.
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
“Congratulations to the 2023 Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winners.
“The travel resurgence we’ve seen throughout the past year has even further heightened the competition. Earning a Travelers’ Choice Award demonstrates that you have provided great experiences to those who matter most: your guests. With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am continually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt. Cheers to another successful year!”
Ballandean Estate took out top accolades last night at the Queensland Wine Awards, held at the Star Hotel in Brisbane. Queensland’s oldest family owned and run winery was awarded Most Successful Exhibitor and Best Viticulturalist (Angelo Puglisi and Robyn Robertson) on the night.
Ballandean Estate was awarded 4 gold, 4 silver and 6 bronze medals, bringing its individual medal tally to 14 for the winery.
Young winemaker Boxi Zhen has well and truly cemented his place in the family fold at his first showing since starting the next chapter of his winemaking career. In January 2023, Boxy was handed the reins from Chief Winemaker Dylan Rhymer, who has shaped Ballandean Estate’s reputation for excellence and innovation over 20-plus years.
“We are ecstatic! Every single wine we entered this year was awarded a medal. It’s been a few years since we showed our premium cool climate wines. Drought and fires, we just did not have the volume. Since 2021, however, production has been bouncing back – 2023 is shaping up to be one of our best yet.”
“Boxi’s first foray in Rose saw our 2023 vintage awarded gold, and his small-batch 2023 Viognier was awarded the Stewards Choice prize.”
“Our 2021 Opera Block Shiraz by Dylan took out gold, as did the 2022 Viognier and 2022 Chardonnay –created by Dylan and coaxed by Boxi into the bottle – now that’s what I call a dream transition!”
“We produce wines for Riversands also – each of the five wines they showed were awarded medals too.”
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
Shocked and delighted, winemaker Boxi Zhen says,
“These awards are a great honour. The recognition from our peers and Chief Judge Jim Harre is testament to the incredible fruit produced at Ballandean Estate, the high altitude and cool climate delivering intense flavours and such high acid, such a pleasure to work with.”
“After tasting the brilliant wines showcased at the awards, I am even more determined to experiment and finesse our wines further. Watch this space! We’ll be releasing some small batch minimal intervention wines shortly.”
Boxi Zhen
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.”
Ballandean Estate is blending a new winemaker into the family fold, 32-year-old Boxi Zhen, who will be starting a new chapter in his winemaking career at Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery.
Mr Zhen is enjoying the thriving community of the Granite Belt, the considerably cooler climate, natural beauty and proximity to Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
“Boxi’s experience at Bird in Hand Wines in the Adelaide Hills and Chateau Nine Peaks in Qingdao is a perfect alignment with our unique terroir and cool climate.
He will continue our delivery of delectable, varietal, regional wines of character — and inject some fresh ideas. As a flying winemaker, Boxi has followed vintages around the world, from the Napa Valley to China, South Australia and now the Granite Belt.
We hope that his minimal intervention approach and fresh perspective will underpin the Granite Belt as a region that continues to build on its momentum for new, exciting wines that suit our ever-changing climate.”
“It’s good to see so many young people returning to the region, there’s such a good balance between rural life and being close to major cities.
What attracted me to the Granite Belt was the chance to work with the incredible fruit produced here, the high altitude and cool climate delivering intense flavours and such high acid, thanks to the slow ripening seasons and chilly nights. Throughout South Australia, climate change is increasingly more apparent, and producers are having to adapt as it gets warmer and warmer.
I want to bring out the best expression of the fruit and terroir, with minimal intervention and a mix of modern and traditional winemaking techniques.”
Boxi moved to Adelaide from China at the age of 24 to complete his prestigious Master of Viticulture & Oenology at the University of Adelaide. He also has a degree in Food Science, which places him in excellent stead to continue the R&D science-based approach employed by Ballandean Estate’s previous winemaker of 22 vintages, Dylan Rhymer.
Ballandean Estate continues its winning streak with a swag of medals awarded this weekend at a national wine show for boutique winemakers. The Australian Small Winemakers Show is held annually in Stanthorpe, attracting wine entries from across Australia and New Zealand.
Vintage 2022 delivered Queensland’s oldest family-owned winery 3 silver and 2 bronze medals, bringing the tally to 5 medals at one of the most prestigious shows on the annual wine circuit.
Ballandean Estate is famed for alternative white varietals, our Strange Birds™! This year, our great Italian whites Malvasia, Fiano and GFM (Giallo Fiano Malvasia) were awarded silver medals, which means they had to score greater than 17/20 points; and be considered exceptional on the palate, with freshness and finesse highly prized by the judging panel.
We’ve just released our 10th vintage of Fiano, a wine we’ve won critical acclaim for since 2012, thanks to its richer Italian style with mouth-watering acidity, grippy texture and mineral undertones. We sell out of this varietal every vintage within weeks.
Malvasia is another of our fastest-moving white wines at the cellar door. People fall in love with its big aromatics, richness and complexity. It is the kind of wine that has you excited before even taking your first sip.
Dad (Ballandean Estate owner Angelo Puglisi) is always keen to experiment with Italian varieties. His interest in Italian varieties is not just about the increased diversity of aromas and flavours, but most importantly about structure: and, specifically, acid. Grapes grown for natural acid balance deliver a fresh expression of our granitic terroir and require minimal intervention in the hands of the winemaker.”
Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi
A wine pioneer, Angelo’s vinicultural vision has delivered 13 new Strange Birds™ for the Granite Belt Geographical Indication.
Ballandean Estate’s 2022 Viognier and Bolle Rosa, a refreshing sparkling pink Moscato, were both awarded bronze medals. A remarkably strong line up of wines was presented, with a marked increase in medals awarded for each class at the 2022 Australian Small Winemakers Show, which held its inaugural event in 1987, open to small wine producers who crush less than 500 tonne a year.
Ballandean Estate is preparing to release its 10th Fiano vintage this Friday 16 September. Ballandean Estate winemaker Dylan Rhymer lends a sophisticated finesse to the rare white wine varietal, delivering a richer Italian style with mouth-watering acidity, grippy texture and mineral undertones.
Estate manager Robyn Puglisi-Henderson says,
“Originating in southern Italy, and widely grown throughout Sicily and the Campania region, Fiano is a premium alternative varietal. We made just 237 cases this year.
“The meteoric rise of Fiano’s popularity is a wonder to behold. We sell out of this great Italian white every vintage within weeks.
“We released our first vintage in 2012, which took out Winestate’s Top Alternative White trophy, and has continued to win critical acclaim ever since.
“Our 10th vintage of Fiano has high crispy acid, floral aromatics, tropical and stone fruits, hints of nuttiness on the palate and a sherbet-like finish.
Robyn Puglisi-Henderson
Fiano was first planted in Queensland in 2009 by Angelo Puglisi, the father of Queensland wine and Ballandean Estate founder.
Winemaker Dylan Rhymer says,
“When deciding if we should plant Fiano here in the Granite Belt, we tasted as many different styles from Australia and Italy as we could. A lot of the Aussie ones were more fruit-driven, in the style of Sauvignon Blanc, while the Italian examples were more complex at higher alcohols, which we preferred. Characteristically, the Italian wines express subtle nutty aromas, with fresh pear, citrus and honey flavours enveloped by rich texture. Our Fiano is picked at almost 13 Baume. It’s 12.8% alc to build weight in the palate, and was handpicked in April 2022 at optimal ripeness. This gives us delicious stone fruit aromas with a touch of honey and citrus.”
Dylan Rhymer
Fruit: 100%, Fiano single vineyard from Bellevue at Ballandean, 850m above sea level
Nose: Intensely aromatic, floral notes with hints of pear and pineapple
Palate: Dry, unoaked, tropical and stone fruits, hints of nuttiness, lengthy finish
Alcohol: 12.8%
Price: $32
Closure: Screw cap
Drink: 2022–2023
Weight: Light to medium bodied, rich and textural, similar weight to viognier, pinot grigio and unoaked chardonnay
Winemaking: A mix of whole bunch and destemmed fruit was combined into the press. The juice was settled quickly in stainless before yeast was added. Stabilised, no finings added, filtered and bottled, unoaked.
Big changes are afoot at Ballandean Estate, Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery. After 22 years at the helm, star winemaker Dylan Rhymer will be wrapping up vintage 2022 in the next few weeks. Next stop, Brisbane, as he moves to be closer to family and pursue a career in the bicycle industry.
“Dylan has underpinned Ballandean Estate’s industry accolades for almost a quarter of a century. He’s our longest-serving winemaker. We’ve survived drought, bushfires, hailstorms and floods – he’s family”, says Ms Puglisi-Gangemi.
Ballandean’s winemaker Rhymer considers his legacy to be the birth and continuance of the estate’s signature wine, Generation 3.
“This premium wine is only made when the vintage is exceptional. No compromise, winning a swag of national gold medals since the first release in 2002.”
“Starting in the vineyard with a blend of science and years of experience in the Granite Belt growing grapes, to bring in our Shiraz and Cabernet fruit in optimal condition. Then there’s the winemaking. Premium barrels are hand-selected. We coax that fruit into releasing everything it has to offer, constantly striving to make something different and wonderful to show you, but still respecting its integrity,” says Mr Rhymer.
Rhymer led the development of an internationally acclaimed Saperavi style on the Granite Belt. In 2018, Ballandean Estate entered the Saperavi World Prize for the first time and came third in the world with its 2015 vintage. His commitment to premium wine saw Ballandean Estate convert to Procork, flying in the face of widespread screwcap adoption.
Over his tenure at Ballandean Estate, Rhymer’s legacy includes delivering the 50th Anniversary Edition 2018 Shiraz. 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.
As a “Flying Winemaker”, Dylan has followed vintages and wine seasons around the world, from Marlborough, Hawkes Bay, Bulgaria, Spain, to South Australia and the Granite Belt.
Dylan was working in Spain when he saw the opportunity to be part of the growth and development of the Queensland wine industry in the late 1990s. In the time Dylan has served at Ballandean Estate, he has supported the Queensland wine industry as it has grown in leaps and bounds.
The symbiotic relationship that exists between Dad’s (Angelo Puglisi) experimentation with rare varietals and Dylan’s R&D approach to modern winemaking has helped position the Granite Belt as a region that continues to build on its momentum for new, exciting wines that suit our ever-changing climate”, says Ms Puglisi-Gangemi.
Ballandean Estate opened the Granite Belt’s first wine lounge on Friday 15 July 2022. Signature restaurant The Barrelroom has been made over into a snug and sophisticated space, designed to make you feel like you’re walking into the Puglisi family cellar.
“I’ve been wanting to do this for years! The ultimate space for Ballandean Estate wine-lovers.”
“We hope to provide a first-class, relaxed, extended tasting experience here. Visitors can sit back and indulge in fine wine and local produce from 9am to 5pm each day.
“Our signature grazing platters are accompanied by a tasting of premium wines, of your choice. You can expect to be served wine several times as you enjoy your platter.
“Showcasing our Italian heritage and local artisan producers complements our award-winning wines. We are working with Stanthorpe Cheeses, New England Larder, the Bramble Patch, Ballandean Bakery, Foxy’s Bakery, The Folly Truffles, Cypress Ridge Garlic, Lirah Vinegars, Italian producers Sandhurst and Borgo Brisbane for our traditional Italian salamis.
“Over the last two weeks, the venue has undergone a significant renovation into an intimate moody space, accented by lighting, leather and luxury, with a roaring fire as its heartbeat.”
“Sink into a leather lounge beside the fire, indulge in a wine flight of your choice, a Strange Bird varietal, or a glass of our 50th Anniversary Opera Block Shiraz.”
“The massive increase in visitation over the pandemic has given us the opportunity to innovate with our visitor offering.
“This has been years in the making, and the first time in 30 years we have stepped back from having an onsite restaurant.
“As a family, we live and breathe wine. We want the wine lounge to be an extension of our Italian hospitality, a place where we can share our stories, heritage and of course our world-class wines,” says Ms Puglisi-Gangemi.
Reservations for the wine lounge are now open. Walk-ins will be welcomed. Bookings are recommended. Add The Barrelroom to your must-do list during a visit to the Granite Belt, just over two hours from Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold Coast.
Ballandean Estate has been recognised by Tripadvisor today as a 2022 Travellers’ Choice award winner. This award celebrates businesses that have received great reviews from cellar door visitors on Tripadvisor over the last 12 months. As challenging as the past year was, Ballandean Estate Wines stood out by consistently delivering positive experiences to cellar door visitors.
“We aim to make sure every Ballandean Estate experience is unforgettable. Ballandean Estate is thrilled to be announced as the Granite Belt’s 2022 Best Tour.
The massive increase in visitation over the pandemic has given us the opportunity to innovate with our visitor offering. As a family, we live and breathe wine. Our cellar door is an extension of our Italian hospitality, a place where we can share our stories, heritage and of course our world-class wines!
We are about to open the Granite Belt’s first wine lounge. It will be place for you to bring your friends and family, sink into a leather lounge beside the fire, indulge in a wine flight of your choice, a Strange Bird varietal, or a glass of our 50th Anniversary Opera Block Shiraz.”
LEEANNE PUGLISI-GANGEMI
“Congratulations to the 2022 Travellers’ Choice Winners,” said Kanika Soni, Chief Commercial Officer at Tripadvisor.
The Travellers’ Choice Awards recognize the best in tourism and hospitality, according to those who matter most: your guests.”
Ballandean Estate’s 2019 Nebbiolo took home the Trophy for Best Italian Red Varietal at the Queensland International Emerging Wine Variety Challenge. Angelo Puglisi, founder of Queensland’s oldest family-owned and -operated winery, accepted the prize at the Brisbane awards dinner held at 66 on Ernest restaurant at Southbank, Thursday 26 May 2022.
Wine analysis
Colour—Pale ruby with orange hues
Nose—Cherry, tar and roses
Palate—Medium-bodied with red fruits, strong tannins, high acidity and earthy tones
Alcohol/Volume—2%
Cellaring potential—Drink now to 5 years
Winemaker—Dylan Rhymer
Viticulturist—Angelo Puglisi
RRP $42
Estate owner Angelo Puglisi says,
“Experimenting with varieties that fit our unique climate and terroir is what gets me excited. In 2001, I thought it was about time we had an Italian red under our belt. Hailing from Northern Italy’s Piedmont region, this grape is known for producing bold red flavours, grippy tannins, and high natural acidity — all while looking as pale as Pinot Noir.
Nebbiolo was our first Italian Strange Bird™ planting. We call it the Italian version of Pinot Noir at the cellar door. Lighter in body, big tannins, cherry, tar and roses on the nose, ruby and orange hues synonymous with aged Nebbiolo—it’s a real food wine.
Nebbiolo is a finicky variety to grow in Ballandean, but when it’s right, it is so right! Incredibly sensitive to terroir—it needs great drainage and a long, bright growing season,” says Mr Puglisi.
ANGELO PUGLISI
Overcoming low yield with great viticulture
Ballandean Estate’s high altitude, cool climate and granite traprock soils on Bellevue’s slopes saw the vines mature a low yield initially. Angelo Puglisi overcame this by using a different pruning approach that produces more fruit bunches. The fruit is the last to be harvested, as it matures slowly with the cool nights at the end of growing season.
Queensland International Emerging Wine Variety Challenge
The Queensland International Emerging Wine Variety Challenge is in its third year. Queensland-grown alternate varieties take on the best of Europe in this unique event hosted by Queensland Wine Industry Association. The varietals are judged and benchmarked against wines from their place of origin.
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