Mount Tamborine Wine Tasting
It has been a mindbogglingly hot summer back in Brisbane this year! Most of us get through the summer by turning on the air-conditioner to full blast and getting out of town for the occasional day trip. On this warm November's day, we escaped the Brisbane heat and went on a girls' day out to Mount Tamborine in the Gold Coast hinterland. If you go further inland it gets even warmer (ugh!!), but if you venture down south to the hinterland - the weather tends to be a little cooler and breezier.
It was Alex's birthday and she had organised a delightful day for us all to celebrate it. From Brisbane, we hopped on a minibus and chattered away with mini sparkling wine poppers to refresh us on the drive down. About an hour later, we arrived at our first winery for the day - Mason Wines.
(Damn Alex and Sophie and their long legs!)
The main vineyard of Mason Wines is actually in the Granite Belt area. The estate at Mount Tambourine is a lot smaller, but the view from here is as pretty as ever. We stopped by the cellar door for wine tasting (complimentary) - starting on Sauvignon Blanc blends, Verdelho and Chardonnay and then moving onto Merlot and Shiraz.
Then it was time for lunch in the newly refurbished Eden Restaurant at Mason Wines. Nothing too fancy here, at Eden they only serve good old Australian classic dishes. Just the way I like it.
I confirm that those hand cut chips were to die for!
Obviously Julia was referring to people like me - so I wholeheartedly agree!
After lunch, we took a walk on the green.
And got a little snap happy before moving on to our second winery of the day - Cedar Creek Estate.
Cedar Creek is a little more rusty looking. Here, we gathered in a room and were given a full wine tasting from the lightest white wine to the sweetest port ($3 per person).
The gentleman who owns Cedar Creek was a real hoot. He told jokes while pouring us wine and he even did a dance for us - I think he rather liked the company of fifteen giggling girls.
The last winery that we visited was my favourite - Witches Fall. The cellar door looks absolutely charming and we were able to sit outdoors next to the vines for our group wine tasting.
Again, the main vineyard is situated elsewhere in the Granite Belt region but we adored the 'show' vineyard all the same.
The wines and the wine tasting ($6 per person) are a little more expensive here, but definitely worthwhile. If you're very nice, they'll even let you taste the premium range (I particularly liked the Verdelho and Cabernet Sauvignon).
Cheers to your birthday Miss Alex!
^ That awkward moment when you're the only person thinking this was going to be a 'silly' photo and everyone else is smiling nicely.
And finally, you can't visit to a vineyard without a proper frolic in the rows of vines!
After today's winery tour and my visit to the Scenic Rim a few weeks ago, I feel like a bit of a connoisseur of Queensland vineyards! Queensland may not be as well known as other Australian states for their wine, but there are a few charming wineries worth visiting if you look hard enough. A splendid staycation day trip if you ask me!