Every bottle of wine tells a story. At Ballandean Estate Wines, those stories span five generations, more than 90 years of winemaking, and a family’s unwavering belief in Queensland.
Queensland Parliament is proud to feature Ballandean Estate Wines as our Winery of the Season, celebrating not only exceptional cool-climate wines but also one of Queensland’s great family success stories.
Queensland’s oldest family-owned winery
Nestled more than 800 metres above sea level in the heart of the Granite Belt, Ballandean Estate is Queensland’s oldest family-owned and operated winery. Since the first grapes were made into wine on the property in 1932, the winery has become synonymous with innovation, resilience and a deep connection to the region.
Like many Queensland stories, it begins with determination.
In 1911, Salvatore Cardillo left Sicily in search of opportunity in Australia. After years of hard work in Far North Queensland and later on the Granite Belt, he and his daughter Josephine established the family farm at Ballandean. What started as vegetables, fruit and table grapes soon became the foundation of one of Queensland’s most respected wineries.
Josephine herself became a remarkable figure in the family’s history. During the Second World War, when authorities sought to intern her husband and father and requisition the family’s farm equipment, she negotiated an agreement that allowed the family to remain on the land by supplying produce to feed Australian troops. It was a defining moment that demonstrated the resilience and determination that continues to shape the family today.
Pioneers of Queensland’s wine industry
The next generation saw even greater possibilities.
In 1968, Angelo and Mary Puglisi transformed the family business by replacing table grapes with wine grapes, becoming pioneers of Queensland’s modern wine industry. Their decision to plant Shiraz vines on the Granite Belt was bold at a time when few believed premium wine could be produced in Queensland.
More than 50 years later, those same vines continue to produce the winery’s celebrated Opera Block Shiraz, reflecting the family’s long-term vision, careful stewardship and the unique conditions of the Granite Belt.
Today, Ballandean Estate remains firmly in family hands. Generations work side by side across the vineyard, winery, cellar door and business, blending traditional knowledge with modern innovation. Visitors are welcomed not simply as customers, but as guests invited to become part of the family’s ongoing story.
Why the Granite Belt produces exceptional wines
That sense of place is reflected in every wine.
The Granite Belt’s combination of granite soils, cool nights, warm sunny days and high altitude creates ideal conditions for producing elegant, intensely flavoured cool-climate wines. Less than one per cent of Australian vineyards are located more than 600 metres above sea level, making the Granite Belt a rare and distinctive wine region that continues to earn national and international recognition for its quality.
Ballandean Estate has also helped shape Queensland’s reputation for innovation. From introducing alternative grape varieties, including many of the Granite Belt’s celebrated Strange Birds™, to continually experimenting with new techniques and sustainable vineyard practices, the family has never stopped looking ahead while respecting the traditions that brought them here.
Their commitment extends beyond the vineyard. Sustainable farming practices, water conservation, solar energy, recycling initiatives and careful soil management all help ensure the land can continue producing exceptional wines for generations to come.
Experience Ballandean Estate at Strangers’ Restaurant
Visitors to Parliament House can experience Ballandean Estate Wines alongside a menu showcasing the best of Queensland produce at Strangers’ Restaurant. Under the direction of Executive Chef Anthony Naylor, the seasonal menu was created by chefs Nathan Nixon, who completed his apprenticeship at Parliament House, and Leonardo Ceccanti, celebrating the finest seasonal produce from across Queensland.
Working alongside Gerard Gasparin, Parliament’s Senior Supervisor of Fine Dining, the team has carefully paired three Ballandean Estate wines with seasonal dishes to showcase the versatility of the Granite Belt’s cool-climate wines.
Start with Goldband Snapper crudo with coconut and fennel purée, togarashi, finger lime ponzu and chive oil, perfectly matched with the 2025 Wild Ferment Malvasia. The wine’s bright aromatics and crisp acidity complement the fresh seafood and vibrant citrus flavours.
For the main course, lamb rump with miso-glazed pumpkin, baby kale, black orange sauce and split jus is paired with the 2024 Durif, whose rich fruit and structure stand up beautifully to the bold flavours of the dish.
To finish, vanilla rice pudding with a white chocolate cup, puffed rice and yuzu caramel ice cream is served alongside the 2019 Late Harvest Sylvaner, balancing sweetness with refreshing acidity for an elegant conclusion.
Showcasing Queensland at Parliament House
Queensland Parliament’s Winery of the Season program celebrates producers whose products reflect the diversity, quality and innovation found across our state. Ballandean Estate is a perfect example of what makes Queensland special through its family enterprise, regional excellence and the courage to forge a new path.
When you enjoy a glass of Ballandean Estate wine at Parliament House, you’re tasting far more than premium cool-climate wine. You’re experiencing more than 90 years of Queensland history, five generations of family passion and a remarkable story that continues to unfold on the Granite Belt.
We invite you to discover Ballandean Estate Wines during your next visit to Queensland Parliament and raise a glass to one of Queensland’s most enduring family businesses.
Learn more about Ballandean Estate Wines.
