Ballandean Estate Wines proving critics wrong, winning Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award for third time

Critics of the oldest family-run vineyard in the Granite Belt have been made to eat humble pie, after the estate claimed its third tourism award in three years.

Regarded as the 'father of Queensland wine' Angelo Puglisi has continued to prove critics wrong with Ballandean Estate Wines.

Critics of the oldest family-run vineyard in the Granite Belt have been made to eat humble pie, after the estate claimed its third tourism award in three years.

Ballandean Estate Wines’ reputation proceeds them as they once again wear the crown, awarded as Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice again in 2024.

The estate has been operated by the Puglisi family for almost a century, reaching the family’s fourth and fifth generations.

Qweekend travel. Ballandean Estate Wines, 354 Sundown Rd, Ballandean. Pic Mark Cranitch

Considered as one of the most influential winemakers in Australia in his advocacy for the Queensland wine industry, Angelo Puglisi has established a legacy that’s proved his critics wrong.

Fourth generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi said it was an honour for her family to be recognised for the influence in the Queensland wine industry.

“Ballandean Estate may be Queensland’s oldest family-run winery, but we built our reputation on innovation and a splash of rebellion,” she said.

“The Barreloom, which is the Granite Belt’s first wine lounge, is going from strength to strength.”

Sisters Robyn Puglisi-Henderson (left) and Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi (right) from Ballandean Estate Wines.

Ms Puglisi-Gangemi said the estate was preparing to release an assortment of fresh new wine styles.

The estate has just released their minimal intervention wine series in collaboration with up and coming winemaker Boxi Zhen, who has visitors licking their lips with his second vintage.

TripAdvisor chief growth officer John Boris said the annual award honours businesses that consistently demonstrate a commitment to hospitality excellence.

“Congratulations to Ballandean Estate on its recognition in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards for 2024,” he said.

“This means you have made such a memorable impact on your visitors that many of them took the time to go online and leave a great review about their experience.”