Comprehensive website on the region including upcoming events, information on all the wineries, maps, accommodation, other tourism product, tours and media kit at www.southburnettwine.com.au

Press Contacts
President
Craig Gillett
Tipperary Estate
167 Tipperary Rd
Moffatdale QLD 4605
Tel: 07 4168 4802
Email: craig@tipperaryestate.com.au
URL: www.tipperaryestate.com.au

Situated in the breathtakingly beautiful country side of the South Burnett is one of Queensland's leading wine regions. The South Burnett features some of the largest vineyards and wineries in Queensland through to smaller boutique cellar doors and distilleries. With over thirteen cellar doors in the region there is a wide variety of properties for guests to visit.

The wineries in the South Burnett concentrate on providing a great tourism experience. Many of the cellar doors have vineyard restaurants, accommodation, and undertake regular events for visitors to their properties. The wine and food of the region are showcased in two large regional events each year -Wine and Food in the Park at Kingaroy (March) and also Barrels to Breakers (July) which is the launch of the new vintage wines as they travel from the Burnett to the restaurants of the Sunshine Coast.

The region is becoming well known as the leader in Queensland for producing premium wine from grape grown in district and features heavily in the medal count at state, national and international wine shows. It is widely recognised as producing many of the best wines in Queensland, with over 50% of the Gold medals awarded in last years Sheraton-Courier Mail Queensland Wine Awards going to South Burnett wineries, even though they accounted for 15% of the entries.

The South Burnett region is one of two recognised wine regions in Queensland, having been awarded a Geographical Index seven years ago. Over 30% of Queensland's wine grape vines are planted in the South Burnett with many varieties being well suited to the region's climate. The South Burnett wineries are also the growers and makers of wines for many other wineries in Queensland, particularly in the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast regions.

The region is located two and a half hours north west of Brisbane, and one and half hours from the Sunshine Coast. Daily wine tours to the region operate and many of the cellar doors are open seven days a week.

Visitors who are interested in joining an email mailing list for upcoming information on the South Burnett wineries can do so by emailing smartwine@optusnet.com.au Further information on South Burnett Wine and Cuisine is available at www.cuisine.southburnett.com.au

History of wine within the South Burnett region:
In the early 1900's the settlers in the South Burnett planted grape vines and some of these produced their own wine. Household vines in excess of 80 years old still remain in the region. A small table grape industry existed in the region for many years. This industry did not grow to become a substantial industry due to large plantings further north, with earlier harvest dates commanding premium prices at the markets.

In 1993 the South Burnett local authorities obtained government funding to conduct a feasibility study for the establishment of a viticulture, wine and associated tourism industry in the region. The first vines in the region were planted by Cranes Wines in 1992. Following this, The 'Macarthur Report' was commissioned and completed in June 1994 and concluded that the region was suitable for producing wine grapes. F Schweikert, planted the second vineyard in 1993. G Patteson followed in 1994 and 1995 saw the entry of South Burnett Wines (Barambah Ridge) with a 17 acre vineyard and planning for a full tourist complex and winery for its own and contract winemaking complex.

A number of other growers also commenced in 1995. This continued in 1996 and in 1997 the regions' first major planting, 100 acres, by Clovely Estate. This company continued plantings in 1998 and now boasts over 400 acres making it Queensland's largest vineyard. Stuart Range Estates, a processing facility and cellar door commenced in 1998. Many other planted grapes in 1998, 1999 and 2000.As at the end of 2000 the South Burnett Wine Industry has over 35 growers, 3 processing facilities and 13 cellar doors.

Geography of the South Burnett region:
The South Burnett region is generally moderately inclined to lower sloping hills with the exception of the Bunya Mountains in the South West, which is very steep to precipitous. It is basically defined by the Blackbutt Range, Brisbane and Coastal Ranges in the East, the Great Divide to the South West and West and gently declines to the Central Burnett and Burnett River to the north. The Stuart and Booie Ranges run south to north through the center of the South Burnett, with undulating 'rolling' landscape to the Stuart and Boyne River plain in the west and Barkers Creek plains in the east.

Soils are described in ascending order as sandy (light sands) to a variety of red soils of light clay, through to brown and black clays.

The South Burnett can be classed as sub-tropical with long summers and mild winters.

Location: 26°S, 151°E
Annual rainfall: average 740mm
Mean January temperature: 23.8°C
Sunshine hours per day: 8.5 hours
Elevation of Kingaroy is 440m