Queensland’s oldest family-run winery Ballandean Estate up for sale after 93 years

The state’s oldest family-run winery is up for grabs with the man long regarded as the ‘father of Queensland wine’ selling up after building the award-winning brand for the past 93 years.

Angelo Puglisi has put his family-run Ballandean Estate winery on the market after 93 years.

Queensland’s oldest family-run winery Ballandean Estate Wines has been put up for sale after 93 years.

The 190-acre property, located 25km south of Stanthorpe, was named Queensland’s winery of the year in 2024 and has hit the market for $8m.

The Puglisi family cited plans for retirement behind the decision to sell up after four generations built the award-winning brand since it began in 1932.

Known as the father of Queensland wine, Angelo Puglisi - who will turn 82 in July - said he was proud to have been at the forefront of developing and promoting the Queensland wine industry, from modest beginnings to a now multimillion-dollar industry.

“Since 1932 our family has produced wine from our vineyard in Ballandean,” Mr Puglisi said.

“We are exceptionally proud of our contribution to the unfolding story of the Granite Belt wine region.

Mary and Angelo Puglisi have built their beloved Ballandean Estate Wines since taking it over from Angelo’s father in 1968 - winning dozens of industry awards.

“The future of the Granite Belt as a successful Australian wine region is in the hands of many talented professionals and our future generations will continue to be an integral part of the story.”

His daughter Robyn Puglisi Henderson, who is also the estate manager, said it was time to focus on other pursuits after devoting years to the business.

“Our family has poured decades of love, passion, and dedication into Ballandean Estate Wines and the Queensland wine industry,” she said.

“Angelo and Mary Puglisi invested their entire working lives into the estate, a business which has supported generations of wine lovers and employs more than 20 people.

“Now that Mum and Dad have stepped back from the business, generation four is also considering transition to retirement and the chance to explore other interests outside of the family business.

“Our children are on their own paths and we hope to find new custodians, with fire in their bellies, who share our vision for the Granite Belt’s booming wine industry.”

One of Ballandean Estate Wines most popular blends is their 2018 Saperavi, which took out the Saperavi World Prize Gold Medal in 2021. The winery is on the market for $8m.

The sale includes substantial vineyard holdings and infrastructure including 90 acres of developed vineyards with strong water reserves, part of a total 190-acre freehold property, its brand name, winemaking facility, cellar door, restaurant and stock on hand, said Baton Advisory’s Mike Guyomar.

The winery is synonymous with producing premium, rare and alternative varietals including elegant Shiraz and Chardonnay.

The estate grows 90 acres of grapes including Shiraz, Cabernet, Merlot, Saperavi, Nebbiolo, Malbec, Durif, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Fiano, Viognier, Malvasia and Moscato Giallo.

The team at Ballandean Estate Wines took home a barrel of awards at the 40th Queensland Wine Awards.

Winemaking at Ballandean Estate was established in 1932 when the first generation of the family, Salvatore Cardillo and his daughter Josephine, migrated from Sicily in Italy after World War I.

In 1942, Josephine married Alfio Puglisi and went on to build the foundation of Ballandean Estate with her father and husband over four decades.

Their son Angelo Puglisi and his wife Mary took over the farm in 1968 and replanted the vineyard, moving from table grapes to wine grapes.

Mr Puglisi saw the versatility of Shiraz in established wine regions like the Barossa and Hunter Valley and couldn’t resist the challenge of establishing this varietal in Queensland’s cool climate high-altitude region.

The decision to commercialise the winery also came with planting a block of Shiraz in 1968, which now is home to 50-year-old vines.

In 1970, they opened the first cellar door on the Granite Belt and began building their business, developing the Queensland wine industry, and raising a new generation to operate the business.

The cellar door now attracts more than 65,000 visitors a year and also won TripAdvisor 2024 Travellers Choice Award, Best of Queensland Experience 2024.

Family members are committed to ensuring a seamless transition and are open to staying actively involved in the business, providing support and continuity for the new ownership.

The winery also exports to China, where red wines are most popular with consumers.

Originally published as Queensland’s oldest family-run winery Ballandean Estate up for sale after 93 years