Autumn/ Winter 2025
At last an opportunity to write this newsletter! Three long weekends in a row and a constant stream of visitors (including family) have kept me pretty busy and away from the office, but now some peace is upon us for a few days before our busy winter season begins. So many entertainment events seem to take place now, more each year I think, and we in the Granite Belt are having them too. Some new wineries are opening nearby that are specialising in these attractions and I wish them well, but I’ll just concentrate on our core interests with their constant demand for attention and enjoy the entertainment in my spare (?) time. Ballandean is humming and buzzing with the energy of the entrepreneurs now, but there’s still room for us traditionalists and good old Bacchus!
The 2025 season was free from the extremes of drought and excessive rain that dogged us for those Covid years and after, but of course no season is perfect to us growers! We had a good crop though – in size and quality so the future is promising. Our replantings after the drought losses are doing well now and we’re pretty much back to normal.
One thing that’s probably long overdue is updating my website. My family finally persuaded me to enter the 21st century—despite my valiant opposition—so what you’re looking at now is the result of some ongoing digital renovations. Love to hear your thoughts!
Current Releases
The 2022 Paragon has been a huge hit despite my concern about having to release it earlier than I wanted to. It’s my flagship wine and the blend with that small amount of Malbec never seems to let me down. Its bigger brother, the Malbec with friends , is also coming to an end but there are future champions waiting in the wings. In the meantime the 2021 Shiraz/Cabernet has lived up to its promise and become a bigger, smoother, softer wine. Lots of red berry flavours lifting those rich cherry notes. Popular and still in good supply.
Winter is usually red wine time, but I must just mention the 2021 Reserve Chardonnay and 2023 Gewurztraminer for those missing the tastes of summer. Getting bottle age now, with all the rewards of age!
And coming soon – the lovely 2023 Shiraz at $40.
We hope to welcome many of you to the glorious Granite Belt over the next few months. If you’re planning a visit it’s a good idea to book early for accommodation and for winery visits too. The mountains and the bush, a glass of red and a cosy fire await you!
Cheers, Jeff Harden