From some of Queensland’s oldest vines to a new generation of winemaking, Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe brings a story of family, farming, innovation and Granite Belt diversity to Queensland Parliament.
High on Queensland’s Granite Belt, where cold nights, four distinct seasons and ancient granitic soils create one of Australia’s most distinctive wine-growing environments, Therese and Rob Fenwick are quietly building something special.
Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe is not simply a winery.
It is a meeting of old vines and new ideas; of science and instinct; of European varieties finding an unexpected home in Queensland; and, above all, of people who believe that great wine begins long before the bottle is opened.
Now that story is being poured at Queensland Parliament.
A Heritage worth preserving
Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe’s story stretches back more than three decades, but its latest chapter is being shaped by owners Therese and Rob Fenwick.
When the couple took stewardship of Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe, they inherited more than vineyards and a winery. They inherited a piece of Queensland wine history—including extraordinarily old Shiraz and Cabernet vines—and the responsibility of deciding what Heritage Wines should become for the next generation.
For Rob, agriculture was already familiar territory.
Raised in a farming family and with a background in science and mapping, he approaches the vineyard with a combination of farmer’s pragmatism and scientific curiosity. Technology, soil health, water management, vineyard mapping and sustainability all have their place, but Rob’s philosophy ultimately comes back to something much simpler: “Look after the land and grow the best fruit possible.”
Therese brings a different dimension.
Her relationship with wine began as a young woman while living and working on a vineyard and winery in France. Decades later, that fascination with wine, food, hospitality and the way they bring people and stories together became central to the couple’s vision for Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe.
Together, the Fenwicks decided that Heritage Wines would not be defined by one successful variety or familiar style.
They wanted diversity, both in the vineyard and in the glass.
Twenty varieties. Three vineyards. One Granite Belt.
Across Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe’s Granite Belt vineyards at Cottonvale, Ballandean and Thulimbah, the team works with an extraordinary collection of grape varieties.
Alongside Australian classics such as Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Riesling are varieties whose names still spark conversations at the cellar door: Fiano, Sagrantino, Tempranillo, Nero d’Avola, Marsanne, Savagnin and others.
It makes Heritage Wines something of a living viticultural laboratory, where established favourites grow alongside emerging and alternative varieties.
Recognition rooted in the vineyard
Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe’s evolution has been accompanied by sustained recognition.
An early breakthrough came when it was recognised among Halliday’s Dark Horse wineries, signalling the quality and potential emerging from its Granite Belt vineyards.
What followed was not one standout wine or one fortunate vintage, but years of increasingly consistent results.
Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe has now achieved Halliday Five-Star winery status seven times, while its current portfolio includes around 20 wines carrying Halliday gold or silver-level recognition.
The accolades span both familiar and alternative varieties—an important distinction for a winery that has deliberately chosen diversity over conformity.
Its Fiano, Tempranillo, Marsanne, Shiraz, and Sagrantino have accumulated strong scores, joining the Halliday Wine Companion Top 100 Wines for 2026.
Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe has also earned a Bronze Award at the Queensland Tourism Awards, reflecting something the Fenwicks have always believed: “Wine should not only be tasted; its story should be experienced.”
Yet ask Therese and Rob which award matters most and the conversation quickly returns to the vineyard.
Awards are affirmation.
The vines are the work.
From the Granite Belt to Parliament House
There is a an unusual connection between Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe and Queensland Parliament.
Inside the winery sits a heritage table reminiscent of those used in Parliament House, Government House and government offices over the years.
Today, visitors to the Granite Belt can gather around the table to share wine and food and hear stories from Queensland’s past.
For a winery with heritage at the heart of its story, it feels like a particularly fitting pairing.
Three wines, three expressions of Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe
Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe’s arrival at Queensland Parliament begins with three very different wines, each paired with a dish on the Strangers’ Restaurant menu to showcase a different expression of the Granite Belt producer.
The Whistling Kite Skin Contact Vermentino represents the adventurous side of the winery, with this textural, expressive and unconventional wine earning 94 Halliday points. At Strangers’ Restaurant, it is paired with roasted Fremantle octopus, tarragon pil pil, snow peas and ice plant, with the wine’s bright, textural character complementing the freshness and delicate flavours of the dish.
The Shiraz Viognier tells another Granite Belt story, bringing together one of Australia’s great red varieties with a small aromatic contribution from Viognier to create fragrance, spice and complexity. It accompanies braised pork belly with honey ricotta cream, black garlic, dashi-braised artichoke and puffed skin, providing a richly flavoured pairing for the savoury pork and black garlic.
And then there is something a little different to finish. Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe’s Shades of White Liqueur Chardonnay Verdelho, recognised by Halliday as “Best of the Best” in its class, is paired with almond financier, banana cream, miso caramel and macadamia praline. The liqueur wine complements the sweet, nutty and savoury elements of the dessert, providing a fitting finish to the meal.
Three wines. Three very different dishes. Three expressions of the breadth that defines Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe.
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. Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe brings a distinctive Granite Belt story to Parliament House, combining old vines and established varieties with emerging grapes, contemporary winemaking techniques and a strong focus on the land.
As our Winery of the Season, Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe gives diners the opportunity to experience another part of Queensland’s food and wine story in the heart of Brisbane, with three very different wines thoughtfully paired with dishes on the Strangers’ Restaurant menu and also available to enjoy at the Lucinda Bar.
From the Granite Belt vineyards to the tables of Parliament House, it’s a fitting connection for a producer whose philosophy is summed up in its motto: “Elevated by Nature, Rooted in Heritage.”
We invite you to discover Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe during your next visit to Strangers’ Restaurant and experience a taste of the Granite Belt at Queensland Parliament House.
Learn more about Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe.
