By Jess Baker
Cottonvale’s Heritage Estate Wines has received the prestigious James Halliday RED-5-Star winery rating for 2021, placing it in the top eight per cent of wineries in Australia.
Five red stars represent the highest possible rating of any winery in the country, and indicate that Heritage Estate consistently produces wines of exemplary quality and typicity.
The small winery has been well respected in Queensland’s Granite Belt area since its establishment in 1990, and has received numerous awards for its elegant yet powerfully flavoured wines – most notably, it has achieved 5-Star ratings from James Halliday for five years.
Co-owner of Heritage Estate Therese Fenwick said the winery’s run of success is no stroke of luck, but the result of years of hard work and refinement.
“Our brilliant winemaker John Handy has been here since boyhood, and winemaker for 16 years… he’s extremely passionate, dedicated and so clever,” Therese said.
“Our goal as owners of Heritage Estate is to maintain the high-quality wines produced here.”
After all, it was “just that Heritage Shiraz” that convinced them to uproot their lives in the Sunshine Coast and relocate to the Granite Belt in the first place.
The Estate’s award-winning wines are produced using grapes from two vineyards, located at Cottonvale and Ballandean.
Heritage uses grapes from their high-altitude Cottonvale vineyard to produce beautiful, distinctive white wines like Chardonnay, Fiano, Pinot Gris, Marsanne and Savagnin and grapes from their Ballandean vineyard, which includes 60-year-old “Old Vine Shiraz”, to produce smooth, deep reds.
“We’re the highest altitude Halliday RED-5-Star winery in Australia,” Therese said.
“The high altitude creates the cool climate which produces fruit driven, elegant and balanced wines.”
Since purchasing the winery two years ago, Therese and Robert Fenwick have worked tirelessly to deliver experiences that leave lasting impressions for their valued customers.
Robert and Therese host gourmet ‘Nips and Nosh’ lunches at the venue every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where guests can enjoy an exquisite five-course menu prepared by international chef Sharah-Bree paired with five 5-Star Heritage Estate wines.
Monthly ‘5-Senses’ degustation dinners – with tastes of wines, smells of exclusive ‘Nez du Vin’ aromas, sights of silent movies, sounds of a live string ensemble, and a touch of class – are also immensely popular at Heritage Estate.
The 70-year-old apple store venue exudes charm and elegance with a yesteryear atmosphere of antique furniture, moody lighting and a warm open fire, making it an ideal destination for special occasions.
Heritage Estate Wines: call 07 4685 2197 or visit www.heritageestate.wine/events/
