Other Queensland

While the Granite Belt and South Burnett are the only two officially recognised wine regions in Queensland at the present time, this does not mean they are the only places where wine is produced. In fact, Queensland has quite a number of locations that produce excellent grapes and excellent wines.

These other Queensland wine regions include Roma, Mt Tamborine, the Scenic Rim, and the Darling Downs. The wines of these areas are generally Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Roma

Roma is on the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range, at about the 300m level, and is some 500km west of Brisbane. Roma district is very hot as its altitude is insufficient to modify this to any degree. However, winters are very cold and this makes the region best for well ripening varieties that produce such fortified wines as Tawny and Muscat.

The history of Roma has revolved around such resources as oil and gas rather than wine, and was the first place where oil and gas was discovered in Australia. In fact, Roma has a museum to this industry, including a spectacular night show. Despite this focus on heavy industry, the Roma region is also home to Queensland’s oldest winery, the famous Romavilla's vineyards that have operated since 1863.

Romavilla is to the north of Roma on Bungil Creek and its vineyards are not irrigated, with consequent low yields. This also means that flavours are intense. In addition, low humidity means fungus diseases are rare, as is the need to use of fungicides. The Romavilla Vineyards were established by Samuel Bassett in 1863 from where he produced a range of wines, including Burgundy, Claret, Riesling, Champagne, Port, Maderia and Sherry. Today Romavilla continues to produce many table wines as well as many fortifieds and sweet whites.

Mt Tamborine

Much nearer to Brisbane than Roma is the Mt Tamborine region, long a favourite place as an escape for Brisbane city dwellers. Mount Tamborine is a small plateau that rises some 600m above sea level and from which great views of the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim can be enjoyed. Its elevation gives the area a mild subtropical climate, which the three settlements of North Tamborine, Eagle Heights and Mount Tamborine make the best of by providing guesthouses and B&B accommodation for visitors. Here can also be found many arts & crafts, antiques and markets. Nearby is Queensland's first national park, Witches Falls, declared in 1908, as well as The Knoll, Cedar Creek and Palm Grove National Parks; all with excellent walking tracks.

Here too is to be found the Mount Tamborine Winery, as major award winner, including a Gold Medal at the 2007 Small Wine Makers Show for its 2006 Black Shiraz, and a Gold for their 2005 Tehembrin Merlot. Mount Tamborine Vineyard & Winery was the first established at Mt Tamborine, in 1990 by Roger Hart. Here is produced Merlot and Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Equally to be appreciated are a range of fortifieds, including Port, and Chocolate Port, Muscat and a Rum Port.

The Scenic Rim

The Scenic Rim is just an hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and includes Aratula, Beaudesert, Boonah, Canungra, Kalbar, Kooralbyn, Marburg, and Rathdowney. The Scenic Rim region also has a sub-tropical climate, warm wet summers and mild dry winters.  

Edward Hawkins was one of the first European settlers in 1842 and gradually a town grew around the homestead he built. The name Beaudesert is obviously derived from ‘beautiful desert’ and this was the name of the original home of Henry Bayley of Mudgee. Edward Hawkins had worked at this station in Mudgee and named his own similarly.

Within the Scenic Rim are a number of wineries and vineyards that can be easily enjoyed by Brisbanites. And one of the Scenic Rim’s most well known wineries is Warrego Wines, located near the historic town of Marburg. The winery has spectacular views of the nearby mountains from its cellar door, at which you can tour the winemaking operations, and eat at a fine restaurant. Afterwards you are welcome to enjoy a game of boules or croquet.

Another well-known winery is Albert River Wines, located on one of Queensland’s oldest properties, Tamborine House. Here you can have lunch while enjoying views of the lovely Albert River Valley. On the same site is also to be found Auchenflower House, one of the original 'Queenslanders' and for a time the home of Sir Thomas Mcllwraith, a Premier of Queensland. The history of this place does not end there, as it also became a home for Carmelite nuns (the tasting room was once the nuns' Cloister), then for a time it served as part of an 'Early Street Historical Village'. Finally, the house was relocated to become part of the Albert River Wines property.

Darling Downs

Like many areas, the Toowoomba region was a producer of wines at the end of the 19^th century. Nowadays many new boutique wineries have been established around the Darling Downs by such vineyards as Rimfire at Maclagan, a winner of the best Chardonnay in Australia at the Australian Small Winemakers Show in 1997. Another is Preston Peak on the Toowoomba Ranges, with superb views for its wine drinking visitors to enjoy.

Further west in this region is Jimbour Wines, located on one of the oldest stations on the Darling Downs. Here can be seen ‘Jimbour House’ built by Joshua Peter Bell in the 1870s. The water tower is now used as the visitor information centre and cellar door. Visitors may recognise it from the TV series Return to Eden. 

Most of the wines produced throughout these various Queensland regions are table wines, though some excellent sparkling wines and of course fortified wines are also to be found. Semillon, Shiraz and Cabernet are all successful varieties and both Chardonnay and Merlot show much potential.