Ballandean Estate today opened the Granite Belt’s first wine lounge.
Signature restaurant The Barrelroom has been made over into a snug and sophisticated space, designed to make you feel like you’re walking into the Puglisi family cellar.
Fourth-generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi says, “I’ve been wanting to do this for years! The ultimate space for Ballandean Estate wine-lovers.
“We hope to provide a first-class, relaxed, extended tasting experience here. Visitors can sit back and indulge in fine wine and local produce from 9am to 5pm each day.
“Our signature grazing platters are accompanied by a tasting of premium wines, of your choice. You can expect to be served wine several times as you enjoy your platter.
“Showcasing our Italian heritage and local artisan producers complements our award-winning wines. We are working with Stanthorpe Cheeses, New England Larder, the Bramble Patch, Ballandean Bakery, Foxy’s Bakery, The Folly Truffles, Cypress Ridge Garlic, Lirah Vinegars, Italian producers Sandhurst and Borgo Brisbane for our traditional Italian salamis.
“Over the last two weeks, the venue has undergone a significant renovation into an intimate moody space, accented by lighting, leather and luxury, with a roaring fire as its heartbeat.
“Sink into a leather lounge beside the fire, indulge in a wine flight of your choice, a Strange Bird varietal, or a glass of our 50th Anniversary Opera Block Shiraz.
“The massive increase in visitation over the pandemic has given us the opportunity to innovate with our visitor offering.
“This has been years in the making, and the first time in 30 years we have stepped back from having an onsite restaurant.
“As a family, we live and breathe wine. We want the wine lounge to be an extension of our Italian hospitality, a place where we can share our stories, heritage and of course our world-class wines,” says Ms Puglisi-Gangemi.
Reservations for the wine lounge are now open. Walk-ins will be welcomed. Bookings are recommended.
