Strange Bird Wine Trail
Granite Belt wineries offer a boutique and authentic wine adventure, the Strange Bird™ Wine Trail. At many cellar doors, the hands that pour your glass of wine are the same that tended the vines and made the wine.
Love rare and alternative wines?
While other wine regions are known for one or two signature grapes, the Granite Belt produces a unique range of alternative varietals. It's what makes our region one of the most exciting in Australia. This is why the Granite Belt’s wineries banded together to surprise and delight adventurous wine lovers with the Strange Bird™ Wine Trail.
What is a Strange Bird™?
A rare and alternative wine, grown and made on the Granite Belt!
"Strange Bird" is a story for sharing.
- Tell your friends you tried "Strange Birds on the Granite Belt" and you become the storyteller
- Bring a "Strange Bird" to dinner and take your friends on an alternative wine adventure.
- Ballandean Estate owner Angelo Puglisi planted his first Strange Bird™ variety Malbec in 1984.
- A wine pioneer, Angelo’s vinicultural vision has delivered 13 new Strange Birds™ for the Granite Belt Geographical Indication.
To be called an “alternative”, a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia as defined by the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.
Our Strange Bird™ varietals
Rare delights are flourishing at Ballandean Estate. We love our Strange Birds™! And so do wine judges
- Ballandean Estate’s 2023 Saperavi was awarded 2027 Halliday Wine Awards Wildcard Wine of the Year
- Our 2015 Saperavi Strange Bird™ won gold at the 2018 International Saperavi Prize and at the 2017 Australian Alternative Varieties wine competition.
- Ballandean Estate’s 2024 Nebbiolo, 2023 Saperavi, 2024 Saperavi, 2024 Malbec have all been awarded Halliday 95 points.
- 2024 Durif won GOLD and 2 trophies at the 2025 Australian Small Winemakers Show
