Wine regions Australia - Queensland Zone

Queensland Zone

Queensland has a small but growing wine industry. Although the climate represents a challenge for viticulturists, the state shows promise, particularly for red wines.

The state of Queensland itself is a designated wine zone. Within the state there are two official regions, the Granite Belt and South Burnett and regions not classified under the Geograpohic Indications system, but are nonetheless unique in their terrior and the resultant flavours of the wines produced. These regions include the Gold Coast Hinterland, Darling Downs, North Burnett, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Brisbane and the Scenic Rim, Somerset Valleys, Western Downs and North Queensland.

Queensland is unique in creating a ministerial portfolio in 2004 with responsibility for developing the wine and wine tourism industries. The Wine Industry Development Division is within the Department of Tourism, Fair Trading and Wine Industry Development.

The area devoted to viticulture has grown dramatically in the past seven years with over 1500 hectares under vines. Key varieties are represented with significant plantings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. Other notable varieties are Verdelho and Chambourcin.

There is tremendous variety in the wines reflected by the extreme ranges of climate from the very cool Granite Belt to tropical North Queensland, and throughout the state climatic sub-sets on plains, in valleys and ranges.

Queensland has a wonderful array of tropical and sub-tropical fruits and berries which has spawned a fruit wine industry producing tables wines, liqueurs, port style wines, dessert wines and sparkling wines all from exotic fruits such as Banana, Mango, Lychee, Passionfruit, Mulberries, Jakfruit, and Rambutan and native fruits and berries such as Davidson Plum and Lemon Aspen.

The wine and tourism industries have continued to develop in tandem to the benefit of visitors and locals alike. There are excellent tourist facilities throughout Queensland coupled with a generous and flourishing food and wine culture enhancing the quality of the Queensland experience and life in general.

Visit articles on the:
Granite Belt
South Burnett

Sites with more information:

• Queensland Industry Development
• Queensland Holidays