Following up on a previous post, below is a quick introduction to the Granite Belt wine region.
Location
Located in Eastern Australia about three hours drive inland from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Classification
The Granite Belt received geographical indication in 2002.
Statistics
- Around 60 commercial wine grape vineyards
- 390 hectares (960 acres) under vine
- Most producers are small with media vineyard size at 3.18 hectares (7.9 acres)
- Due to small production average price per tonne is approximately$1500–more than double Australia 2018 average of $609
Climate
The climate is cool continental.
- Altitude: 650 meters to 1050 meters
- Mean max temperature: 21.7 celsius
- Mean min temperature: 8.8 celsius
- High diurnality
Soil
The Granite Belt has acidic sandy loam soil. The soil dates from 250 million year old decomposed granite.
- Ruby Creek Granite: Thulimbah, Summit, Pozieres
- Stanthorpe Adamellite: Ballandean, Glen Aplin, Broadwater, Severnlea, Fletcher
- Undifferentiated Volcanic: Bald Mount, Wynerba
- Ruby Greek Granite/ Volcanic/ Traprock: Pikedale
Hazards
The greatest environmental hazard is rainfall in the spring and summer.
Grapes
The Granite Belt boasts 56 different wine grape varieties planted in commercial quantities. There are also 28 emerging varieties available in cellar doors.
- Top varieties by vineyard area: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Viognier, Verdelho, Pinot Gris
- Strange Birds: Fiano, Saperavi, Durif, Nero d’Avola, Sylvaner, Vermentino, Savignin and many others…
