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Stanthorpe’s history and the character of the Granite Belt were determined by events in ancient times, when magma formed the huge and ancient batholiths of granite. This formation of the Granite Belt dictated what minerals would be present, what the soil characteristics would be, and the district's elevation was created.
Over very recent periods, man and his activities have shaped Stanthorpe's present character, namely:
- The finding of the minerals present in the soils gave the greatest single impetus to the area. Tin mining established populations far in excess of those that could be expected from grazing pursuits. The name Stanthorpe derives from the Latin: stannum (tin) and thorpe (village).
- The elevation of 800-1000 metres produces a cool summer climate, conducive to growing fruit and vegetables during a period of the year that is too hot for their production elsewhere in Queensland.
- Currently the popularity of wine tourism and the tree change phenomenon are boosting visitors and new residents to the area.
A key figure in Stanthorpe’s history is Fr Jerome Davadi, the catholic parish priest from earliest days to early 1900’s. Fr Jerome Davadi is credited as having started the wine industry here. When tin mining started to decline, Fr Davadi encouraged his parishioners to diversify. He recognised that the climate was ideal for growing stonefruit and grapes.
In the early days of the Stanthorpe wine industry, wine was made mostly from surplus table grapes. Winemaking on the Granite Belt has grown from the humble beginnings of storage in the old 44 gallon drum, to the best French and American oak barrels. The present day reputation of the Granite Belt as the Queensland wine capital is something that Fr Davadi could only have dreamed of - or prayed for. Then again, perhaps he did!
A timeline of the history of Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt illustrates the changing character of the Granite Belt since its settlement. For more information, get a copy of a locally written history of Stanthorpe, details available on our books page.
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Early tin miners
Fr Jerome Davadi
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