Champion Queensland winery closes cellar door

Brisbane’s Clovely Estate has shut its cellar door after 13 years in Red Hill after negotiations with the landlord collapse.

After more than a decade in Brisbane’s Red Hill, Clovely Estate winery’s cellar door has closed.

Unable to reach an agreement with the landlord, owners Brett Heading and Susan Mercer decided to vacate the viticulture icon on Musgrave Rd and move the operation to the South Burnett, where their award-winning Queensland wines are made.

Clovely Estate cellar door in Red Hill.

“Tourism is booming in the South Burnett so there’s room for it and we thought we’d centralise everything,” Mr Heading said.

The new operation will take over an 110-year-old building in Goomeri, next to the popular bakery, with the plan to build a restaurant, cafe and cellar door, and possibly a gin distillery.

“We’re focusing on the food and hospitality to go with our wine and it’s easier to focus on having everything up there,” Mr Heading said.

Owner of Clovely Estate Brett Heading will move the cellar door to Goomeri.

Acclaimed architect David Gole from Conrad Gargett is in charge of the fit-out at the new 300sq m venture, which is being designed to cater to locals and tourists and those looking to host events.

Settlement on the site is set for next month, with the owners hoping for an October opening.