Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( 07-4681 3969, 1800 852 969; www.maxitours.com.au ; half-/full-day tours from $70/80) Offers good-value
half- and full-day tours, plus overnight packages ex-Brisbane for groups (per person
$275).
WINE
Stanthorpe Tours
( 0437 707 765; www.stanthorpetours.com.au ; half-/full-day tours from $80/100) Upmarket half- and full-
day tours in plush minibuses, with a heavy wine-and-cheese bent.
Wine Discovery Tours
( 0412 579 341; www.winediscoverytours.com.au ; tours incl lunch from $120) Winery tours in a flashy
4WD, with detours to wilderness areas. Based in Ballandean.
WINE
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
MARK RAVENSCROFT, WINEMAKER & FOUNDER OF RAVENS CROFT
WINES
What attracted you to the Granite Belt?
I came to this region 14 years ago. I had tasted the wines, seen the potential and land was cheap and the opportun-
ity was there to start my own place.
What's unique about this growing region?
The area is one of the highest grape growing regions in Australia. It has really cool nights, which is great for nat-
ural acidity. Granite Belt wines can hold their own against any other Australian wines.
Any favourite wines from Queensland?
My favourite wine would have to be my 2002 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon as it was my first trophy winner and
gold medal at a national show. Other Granite Belt wines to look out for are wines from Pyramids Road winery -
especially its Mourvèdre - and Boireann Wines.
What does the future hold for Granite Belt wineries?
As we have really only been recognised in the last 12 years I see a great future for GB wines.
What do you like to do in the area during your time off?
Time off - yeah right! I do a bit of bushwalking in Girraween National Park, but not enough.
Any tips for travellers coming here?
Try to go to as many of the smaller wineries as possible as they are mostly very individual wines. Use a car as the
tour companies usually only visit the bigger ones.
Festivals & Events
FOOD, WINE
Sicilian Vintage Lunch
( www.goldengroveestate.com.au ) The Sicilian Vintage Lunch held in February at Golden Grove
Estate ( Click here ) celebrates the start of the vintage Italian-style with grape stomping,
Italian music and a three-course Sicilian lunch.
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