Our newspaper was thrilled to hear the news of Ballandean Estate securing more accolades for their historic place on the local wine-making circuit, further securing their brand as national and international name.
Earlier this month, at the 40th Annual Queensland Wine Awards, held at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism in Stanthorpe, the well-known family business, south of Stanthorpe, was awarded Winery of the Year, while employee Boxi Zhen was given the title of Winemaker of the Year, and Angelo Puglisi and Robyn Robertson combined as Viticulturist of the Year.
These flavours won accolades too: Champion Estate Grown White, Champion Emerging Variety White and Champion Wine of Show for their 2024 Fiano, Champion Mainstream White Variety for their 2023 Chardonnay, and Champion Mainstream Red Variety for their 2023 Shiraz Viognier.
Leanne Puglisi-Gangemi said these recognitions ares among the estate's "biggest wins".
"(They are) on par with taking out the first major national trophy for a Queensland winery as Most Successful Exhibitor in the early nineties at the Australian Small Winemakers Show, and our gold medal at the 2018 Saperavi World Prize," she said.
The fourth generation wine-maker said Mr Zhen is "really making his mark as Emerging Queensland Winemaker of the Year," also congratulating their neighbours.
“We congratulate our friends and neighbours from Sancerre Estate Brad and Stacey Allen, Ridgemill Estate, Sirromet, Riversands Wines and Tony Hassell from Just Red Wines, who received the Samuel Bassett award for his significant contribution to the Queensland wine industry," she continued.
“It’s great to see the work we do in the vineyard recognised. It’s the quality of our fruit that sets us apart."
The other awardees were:
· Samuel Bassett Award – Tony Hassell from Just Red Wines
· Champion Emerging Variety Red – Ridgemill Estate's 2023 WYP Saperavi
· Champion Fortified or Sparkling – Sirromet Wines' 2022 Nadin Blanc de Blanc
· Champion Wine of Provenance – Sancerre Estate's Alvarino
· Champion Estate Grown Red – Ridgemill Estate's 2023 WYP Saperavi
· Stewards Choice South Burnett Riversands Wines' 2023 Merlot
· Stewards Choice Granite Belt Sirromet Wines' 2009 Sparkling Pinot Noir Chardonnay
