Wine Education

Wine appreciation can be heightened by learning more about the wine making process, the characteristics of the various wine styles and grape varietals. In Stanthorpe on the Granite Belt we can offer you opportunities to increase your wine knowledge and appreciation, from winery tours with the winemaker to weekend courses.

Hear what Max Allen, wine writer, has to say about Queensland wines in this podcast, courtesy Australian Wine & Brandy Corporation. 

How Does the 100 Point System Work?
A 100 point system is used by the world's leading wine judges.  As a guide the rating is as follows:
94-100    Exceptional in every way.  The pinnacle of the style.
90-93      Excellent quality.  A wine of style and character, with all components in balance.
87-89      Good quality, with sound varietal character.
84-86      Ordinary and affording little drinking pleasure.
80-83      Poor quality, lacking balance or fruit integrity.
75-79      Fauklty or distinctly lacking in some way.

Summit Estate Wine Experience Half day consumer "infotainment"  offering wine tasting and blending, wine and food matching.  Blend and make your own special bottle.  Saturday 18 July, 3 and 24 October 2009 group minimum 6 maximum 16. Costs $100 per person includes a sparkling breakfast and coffee.  Book now at Summit Estate by email or phone 07 4683 2011

Tag along vineyard buggy tours.  A new iniative at Mason Wines. Phone 07 4684 1341 for bookings.

Vineyard & Winery Tour at Ballandean Estate Wines.  Ballandean Estate offers three winery tours daily for visitors at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. . The tour includes a vineyard walk, then a production and barrel room tour, finishing at the cellar door and is available to all-comers.  Tours are free, no booking required - simply arrive just before the start time. Other enquiries 07 4684 1226 or email 

Weekend of Wine at Felsberg Winery.  The two day experience includes lectures in grape and wine production, practical experience in blending/bottling/label design and a take home package of wine.  Held the last weekend of every month and on request for groups of six or more.  Cost $450/head including meals - plus your very own blended and labelled dozen bottles of wine. Suitable for consumer, trade and anybody who is interested in wine and knowing more about it. Contact Peter Orr 07 4683 4332 or email 

Viticulture/Winemaking, (Wine) Tourism, Hospitality and Business Training.  The Queensland College of Wine Tourism at Stanthorpe offers secondary, TAFE and tertiary levels through its partnership with USQ, Faculty of Sciences, Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE and 13 Gateway Schools to the Wine Tourism industry. Information 07 4685 5050 or visit the QCWT website.

Wine Master Class Service for the Hospitality Trade.  Symphony Hill Wines offers a free wine education service to trade as part of their extended wholesale support service.  As an award-winning winery local to restaurants in South East Queensland, we invite your staff to drive up and visit us. During their visit they will see first-hand how wine is grown and made and the winemaker will lead you through a master class of our beautiful range of wines.  The master class is both informative and enjoyable and is suitable for your whole team, whether they be front or back of house staff.  The duration and itinerary of the master class is flexible and can be fine-tuned to your requirements. For bookings, further information or to organise a date, please contact Ewen Macpherson on 07 4684 1388 or email