"South Burnett Winery Tour - Day One - Murgon" Kingaroy Travelogue by pedroswift

Murgon is located about 45 kms from Kingaroy on the Bunya Highway.
The nearby vineyards at Redgate and Moffatdale are just a few kms south east of the township. Turn off the Bunya Highway about 4 kms from the centre of Murgon at Barambah Road and follow the sign posts. There is a junction about 1.66 kms from the Bunya Highway - left is Redgate Rd to Barambah Wines: Straight ahead to the other wineries.
Varieties being grown in the region include Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semillon and Verdelho. The latter variety seems suited to the region and I suggest you try Verdelho, where ever you go.
As well as the Cellar Doors listed below there are at least two other wineries in the area which we did not visit : Dusty Hill Wines & Roderick Fine Wines.

Tuscan style cellar door building

We chose to stop first at the first winery we came across on Barambah Road,Moffatdale Ridge

The Cellar door outlet is a fairly new Tuscan style building with verandas overlooking the creek in the valley behind. The owners, Jason and Susan Kinsella invite you to, Come and enjoy the best views in the South Burnett whilst you delight in the products of their A'la'carte bistro.
We sampled a cross section of the wines produced including a couple that that we purchased - 2008 Verdelho ($17.50) and the Sparkling Curvee NV ($17.00)
681 Barambah Road Moffatdale QLD AUSTRALIA 4605
Phone:(617) 4168 4797
Turn off to the north on the Murgon - Barambah Rd at approx 26º17'31.20"S ; 152º00'12.25"E

Our next stop was Bridgeman Downs Cellars
This cellar door usually has good views of nearby Bjelke Petersen Dam however, in mid 2009 the dam is at 8% of its capacity after a long drought so there is no water to be seen.
We had organised our lunch stop here well in advance and sat at a long table under the trees tasting the range of wines and eating regional platters of cheese, meats, olives, quiches, chicken wings and salad bits. Very enjoyable.
We enjoyed the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon ($22) and purchased some.
Open for wine tasting, cheese platters, and sales Thursday to Monday from 10am – 4pm . Turn off to the south on the Murgon - Barambah Rd at Smith Drive - approx. :26º18'19.00"S ; 152º00'36.80"E.
Buses are welcome by appointment - phone (07) 4168 4784

look for the sign at the front gate

Third stop was Tipperary Estate
We tried the range of wines which included medal winning 2008 Verdelho ($16), 2006 Shiraz ($18) & 2004 Shiraz ($20).
The estate encourages you to stay at their on-site B&B Cottage( $120 per night including Continental breakfast). Their Vintners Café caters for special functions only.
167 Tipperary Rd Moffatdale, via Murgon QLD 4605 phone:07 4168 4802Front gate on Tipperary Road is at approx. : 26º18'19.00"S ; 152º01'51.30"E.

Vines

Clovely Estate is the regions biggest winemaker with some of the oldest vines. Wines are made in a refurbished butter factory in Murgon and the company uses the facility to make wine for other labels in the region.
Steinhardts Rd., Moffatdale. QLD. 4605
(074168 4788
Clovely Estate is held in high regard winning Queensland's biggest newspaper, The Courier Mail's " Queensland Lifestyle Award" for the best "Queensland Product".
Covering 175 hectares (430 acres), Clovely Estate’s vineyard is Queensland's largest.
All wines produce use estate grown fruit, main varieties grown being Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semillon and Verdelho. We added a Sparkling Shiraz ($17) to our collection.
The on site multi-bedroom cottage accommodating up to a dozen people sounds good for big groups.

from the vines?

Barambah Cellar Door and Vineyard, 79 Goshnicks Road, off Redgate Road. approx. 4.4 kms past the junction of Barambah Road and Redgate Road (approx Lat & Long: 26º16’11.00”S ; 152º01’04.45”E ) turn to the south on Goshnicks. Front gate is less than a kilometer up the road on the left.
phone: 07 4168 4766

This vinyard grows Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes some of which were planted fourteen years ago. Wines have been awarded medals in wine shows and the current winemaker is highly respected in wine circles, Peter Scudamore-Smith Master of Wine.
The building has recently been refurbished inside and out. Looks like a great place for a picnic or BBQ.
Unfortunately this was our last Cellar Door visit of the day so our palates were somewhat jaded but like troupers we tasted on as we stretched our friendship with the management, staying past the published closing time of five pm.
Opening Hours: Thu- Sun 10:00AM - 5:00 PM