Meet the Queensland wine producer pushing the boundaries

Ray Costanzo is a winemaker who likes to push the boundaries. 

In addition to making the family's Golden Grove Estate Wines at Ballandean in southern Queensland, Costanzo and his wife Jen also craft some thoroughly modern wines in tiny quantities under their Storm King Wine Co. label. The brand is named after the area where they live.

Using fruit entirely from the Granite Belt, Storm King is making some of the best wines coming out of that state - using some non-mainstream grape varieties as well as extended contact with skins, natural ferments, hand plunging, basket pressing and minimal filtration.

All their previous vintages have sold out - a sign that the wines are hitting the mark with consumers. 

"This little brand is not about volume, or getting in people's faces," Costanzo says. "It is a project for my myself and my wife that that keeps us happy while also reflecting our sustainable lifestyle."

The new releases include the first vintage of gamay - the Beaujolais grape - from a minuscule first crop, along with a fun 2025 Vermentino, a 2024 Tempranillo and and a 2024 Mataro Graciano. 

There is also a rather more mainstream 2024 Shiraz/Malbec blend. 

The 2025 Gamay ($50) is a micro-production with fewer than 100 bottles for sale - so you might already be too late. Think partial whole-bunch, carbonic maceration, natural yeast, basket pressing and joyous youthful drinkability. 

"I'm very excited about the future of this variety down the road," Costanzo says.  

My favourite of the new releases was the super-gluggable 2024 Mataro Graciano ($45) with bright fruit, but impressive savoury notes. Very food friendly. 

The 2025 Vermentino ($40) is on the fun and funky side of the spectrum. Think natural ferment on skins, basket pressing, full malo, older oak and lees maturation. 

The Costanzos live off grid and make wines that are sustainable, made with minimal intervention but using their scientific backgrounds. 

The wines are bright and fun and offer good value. They might just change your mind if you have preconceived ideas about Queensland wines. 

See www.stormkingwine.com.au. But be quick - and get on the mailing list for future releases. 

  

      

The perfect side trip from the Gold Coast beaches

 

Summer visitors to the beaches of Queensland's Gold Coast are being urged to take a side trip to the vineyards of the nearby Granite Belt.

Local tourism operators say the Granite Belt Wine Country's combination of cool summer nights, farm-fresh produce and natural beauty offer a contrast to the glitter strip. 

Nestled on the Great Dividing Range, the Granite Belt is emerging as a summer escape for foodies, wine lovers, and nature enthusiasts. 

Under a three-hour drive from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, or Byron Bay, the region offers an alternative to the summer heat of the coast.

"Granite Belt Wine Country isn’t just about incredible wine - though we have that in abundance," said Chris Nolan, president of Granite Belt Wine & Tourism. 

"It’s about the cool, fresh nights you won’t find anywhere else in Queensland, paired with seasonal produce, iconic national parks, and cosy accommodation that feels like a home away from home."



The average nightly January temperature drops on average to 4-5 degrees cooler than Brisbane and the Gold Coast. 

For nature enthusiasts, the Granite Belt boasts Girraween National Park, known for its dramatic granite outcrops, wildflowers, and wildlife.

“Summer has been amazing on the Granite Belt, we’ve had an incredible influx of tourists to the region all loving the cooler days and nights, low humidity, as well as seeing the vineyards blooming with life,” said Adam Penberthy, owner of the Ballandean Pub and Dear Vincent Wines.

“The pub has been bustling with out-of-towners coming in for a meal after a day exploring or swimming in our epic water holes, cooling off with a cold beer.

“At the cellar door, we’ve been amazed at how busy the summer season has been. Guests have loved our summer release wines Sunshine and our Pink Fizz Pet Nat, perfect for a long lunch under the shade of the 100-year-old olive tree.”

For more info about planning a Granite Belt getaway visit the Granite Belt Country website here.

Images: Georgie Lillis

Queensland's highest-profile wine producer for sale

The highest-profile wine producer in Queensland has just hit the market - and will cost you a cool $8 million.

Family-owned and -operated Ballandean Estate was a wine pioneer in the Granite Belt region, and its success has been driven by Angelo and Mary Puglisi.

Brisbane-based Baton Advisory is the selling agent.

It describes Ballandean as "the opportunity to own a flourishing vineyard winery nestled in the scenic landscapes of the Granite Belt.

"Situated in one of Australia’s booming wine regions, this well-established business is perfectly positioned to reap the benefits of the area’s burgeoning tourism industry, which attracts over 400,000 annual visitors.

"With major investments pouring into the local area from both government bodies and high-net-worth individuals, the region is poised for unprecedented growth, making this an ideal time to invest in this thriving business."

The news was broken by Wine Business Magazine.

Established in 1932, Ballandean Estate produces around 10,000 cases annually and has around 35 hectares of vineyards.   

  

Chinese winemaker making an impact in Queensland

 

A leading Queensland winery took a gamble when it appointed a Chinese winemaker last year.

But it was a gamble that is paying off for Ballandean Estate, Queensland’s oldest family-owned and -operated winery.

Boxi Zhen was earlier this month announced Emerging Queensland Winemaker of the Year at the Royal Queensland Wine Awards, and award that recognises emerging talent and craftsmanship.

“We’d like to thank the RNA and Treasury Brisbane for giving our young winemaker Boxi such a great opportunity to further develop his reputation for winemaking excellence," said fourth-generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi.

“Boxi is thrilled to be undertaking the Australian Wine Research Institute's Advanced Wine Assessment Course.

“He’s really looking forward to having his wines featured at Treasury Brisbane outlets, and the privilege of being an associate judge at 2025’s Royal Queensland Wine Awards.

“We blended Boxi into the family fold at the start of 2023, when he started the next chapter of his winemaking career, after working across the Napa Valley to China, South Australia and now the Granite Belt.

“He’s humbled be recognised by a prestigious national wine show in his second vintage as a Granite Belt winemaker.

“We hope that Boxi’s minimal intervention approach will underpin the Granite Belt as a region that continues to build on its momentum for new, exciting wines that suit our ever-changing climate.”

From saddles to skin-care products, head bush for Christmas presents with a difference

One country region of Australia is urging consumers to turn their backs on mass produced and homogenous goods, and instead take a trip to the bush to do some Christmas shopping.

The Granite Belt, around 2.5 hours from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, says it is opening its doors, farms, and workshops and urging people to come and experience fresh mountain air and buy from the bush this summer. 

“With the countdown to Christmas 2023 well underway, the annual pre-Christmas pilgrimage to Queensland’s Granite Belt is really becoming a thing,” says Martin Cooper, president of the local not-for-profit tourism association, Granite Belt Wine & Tourism.

“It’s fantastic country here and looking greener than ever. We’re seeing visitors and extended families looking for gifts with meaning and that give back, with many taking pre-Christmas escapes from the shopping crowds and humidity of the coast.

“There’s just so much to do here. From incredible national parks to dining with more than 50 wineries in the region, the area has become a destination of choice in summer. We don’t BYO here, we PYO (pick your own) with strawberries and fresh stone fruit grown right here on the Granite Belt.

“There’s no better place to buy from the bush for gifts with meaning."

The locals say they have everything from Christmas trees to horse saddles on offer.

Local saddler Lyle Kent, of Kent’s Saddlery in Stanthorpe, says: “People come into our store, and they say we want to support small business and buy Australian made. What my wife and I love about this place, we employ local people, and this contributes to their livelihood and the flow-on effect is amazing.”

From wines to cheesemakers, apple pie makers, leather goods, jam makers, luxe skin care makers, the region says it has plenty on offer for a Christmas present with a difference.

Local grape grower and winemaker Tim Coelli runs Twisted Gum Wines with his wife Michelle.

“The Granite Belt wine makers are small-scale producers and it’s reflected in our specialised wines here," he says. "It means you’re literally drinking wine on the ground from where the grapes are grown.”



Sourcing local ingredients and taking inspiration from a local National Park, Washpool Supply Co in Stanthorpe is a local natural skin care maker, where they teach visitors how to create and make their own soaps and a range of luxe, organic products.

“When you buy from the bush, you’re supporting not just one person, or one business, you’re supporting everyone," says owner Emily Thomas. "We’re a community here and we support each other.” 

Local attractions include granite outcrops with freshwater swimming holes, Girraween National Park, Sundown National Park and Nundubbermere Falls camping area and Storm King Dam.

Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt lie high on the Great Dividing Range, around three hours from the Gold Coast and Byron Bay.

For information about visit the Granite Belt this summer see www.granitebeltwineccountry.com.au

Meet the couple changing the perceptions of Queensland wines

 

Queensland wine is still struggling for widespread acceptance.

While there have always been some talented artisans working in the Granite Belt region, consistency of quality has long been a problem.

Meet Ray and Jenny Costanzo, who are among a new wave lifting the profile of the Granite Belt and Queensland as a whole.

Ray is a third generation winemaker, having completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (winemaking) at Charles Sturt University and honing his skills doing vintages in various parts of Australia and the USA, before returning home to Stanthorpe to follow in his father and grandfathers footsteps as winemaker at Golden Grove Estate.

But the Costanzos also have their own little side project: Storm King Wines with wines that are handcrafted and made in tiny quantities.

Across two vintages, they are producing some of the most exciting wine styles Queensland has to offer with the new releases from the 2022 vintage full of vivacity and nuance.

Founded two years ago, Storm King is named for the area where the couple lives and reflect "a passion for wines that are just a little left of centre result and worth savouring".

The savoury, textural 2022 Vermentino ($40) raw-boned 2022 Shiraz Malbec ($45) and 2022 Tempranillo ($45) - an absolute standout - are made with extended contact with skins, natural ferments, hand plunging, basket pressing and minimal filtrations. 

The tempranillo (above) will change whatever preconceptions you may have about Queensland wine, but be quick: only 660 bottles were produced. 

Sustainability, too, is paramount with recycled grape waste and compostable inks used for the labels, and the use of a more environmentally friendly cork producer. 

See https://www.stormkingwineco.com.au/     

Australian opportunity for Chinese winemaker

Ballandean Estate, one of the longest-established wineries in Queensland's Granite Belt, has appointed a new Chinese-born winemaker.

The family-owned winery this week unveiled 32-year-old Boxi Zhen to succeed Dylan Rhymer, who departed late last year after 22 year in the role.

Zhen has previous experience at both Bird in Hand in the Adelaide Hills and at Chateau Nine Peaks in Qingdao.

Fourth-generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi said: “Boxi’s experience is a perfect alignment with our unique terroir and cool climate. He will continue our delivery of delectable, varietal, regional wines of character - and inject some fresh ideas.

“As a flying winemaker, Boxi has followed vintages around the world, from the Napa Valley to China, South Australia and now the Granite Belt.

“We hope that his minimal intervention approach and fresh perspective will underpin the Granite Belt as a region that continues to build on its momentum for new, exciting wines that suit our ever-changing climate.”

Zhen moved to Adelaide from China at the age of 24 to complete his Master of Viticulture & Oenology degree at the University of Adelaide. He also has a degree in Food Science,

“What attracted me to the Granite Belt was the chance to work with the incredible fruit produced here," he said.

"The high altitude and cool climate deliver intense flavours and such high acid, thanks to the slow ripening seasons and chilly nights.

“I want to bring out the best expression of the fruit and terroir, with minimal intervention and a mix of modern and traditional winemaking techniques."

Queensland wines that break the mould

 

Meet a new range of Queensland wines that deserve to be taken seriously. Aficionados should check out the new Storm King range before it sells out.

This trio of Granite Belt wines are small batch (less than a 1000 bottles of each), hand-crafted and use both old wold and new world winemaking techniques.

Storm King is the personal label of talented winemaker Ray Constanzo and his wife Jen, and the wines come beautifully packaged with eye-catching labels, wax capsules and Diam corks. All are individually numbered.

Costanzo is known as the winemaker for Ballandean-based family business Golden Grove, which dates back over 30 years and produces some outstanding wines in its own right.

Storm King was founded last year and is named after the area of the Granite Belt where Ray and Jen live.

The wines have extended contact with skins and undergo natural ferments, hand plunging, basket pressing and minimal filtration. But fear not. They taste terrific.

The initial range - all from 2021 - comprises one white; a dry, textural vermentino with nuances of pear drops, a very solid shiraz malbec blend using fruit from 50-year-old vines, and the star of the show, a mataro graciano blend that sings. 

I shared some of this wine with friends who are serious players in hospitality and they were blown away.

This is a hand-picked field blend of 80% mataro and 20% graciano that was wild fermented and left on skins for 112 days. It was basket pressed and then matured in French oak for three months.

Try a bottle. It just might change your mind about Queensland wines forever.

The wines are $55 each, or $135 for a three-pack. Move quickly. www.stormkingwineco.com.au/shop