Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe, Estate Winery, Restaurant — Restaurant in Queensland

I had booked Heritage Estate Winery via word of mouth for my Nanna's 80th birthday celebration. I had booked this and began to liaise with Therese since January. There were a number of frustrations that occured during this period of time.

I was originally told that everyone could pay for the set menu on the day. I then received a phone call asking if everyone could pay prior to the date ASAP. After updating one of our guests as being celiac and confirming 2 weeks before the date that the kitchen could cater for her, I was then told 4 days before the date that the kitchen could no longer cater for her. I emailed asking Therese if the guest could supply her own food, in which I did not hear a response. When we arrived at the venue, there was a tag on the table that said 1x celiac, in which we and it appeared Therese was also confused why this was there. Therese informed me in email that the celiac guest would be refunded $95 set menu price, however I did not receive this refund and even after emailing I had no response. The celiac guest had to approach Therese on the day to organise this. My email had confirmation of a 12:30PM booking time. Upon the drive to the venue, I received a voicemail from Therese stating that they had started lunch 30 minutes ago. This was really disappointing, as it felt that our entrees had been waiting out the back during this time and the soup provided was cold. Therese approached me stating the above, and apologised for when I explained the email said 12:30. We were flexible enough to have been able to arrive at 12:00 if that was the set time for starting lunch however this was not explained to us clearly. The email read as "festivities start at noon, weve noted your preference for 12:30PM". The set menu stated "a glass of sparkling upon arrival". We did not receive this and had to ask the waitress, who said "they are up the front". I asked her if she could please bring the wine over, in which she responded " Ill have to check". Wine was eventually brought over, with prompts from us to also provide to our second table of guests. Not everyone got "sparkling", some were "still". The waitress who provided the vegetarians with their meals was unable to say what was in the meals, responding with "I think its fake meat". We had all finished our main meals and desserts and the children were still waiting on their desserts. There were some positives, the meatballs, main meal, dessert and the wine were lovely! The venue itself was warm.

Overall, we felt that at $95 pp, the lack of knowledge from the staff about the food/wine was disappointing. Throughout my experience, I felt Therese was quite disorganised (even though the booking was made back in January) and if I had received confirmation of answers prior to days before the booking, we may have looked elsewhere for a different venue. There were too many people booked on the day for the lunch. This was a special event for our family, that was not completley dampened by this experience, but we definitely expected more. Unfortunately, we won't be returning or recommending Heritage...

As the winter chill sets in, the quest for a truly sublime dining experience often leads to a place where warmth, culinary artistry, and vinous excellence converge. Such a place is Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe, a beacon of gastronomic delight nestled within the Granite Belt's picturesque landscape. My recent visit proved to be a masterful orchestration of all these elements, creating an evening that was nothing short of unforgettable. Upon entering, the grand, stone fireplace immediately captivates, its roaring flames casting a golden, inviting glow that instantly melts away the cold. This majestic hearth is more than just a source of warmth; it's the very soul of the dining room, imbuing the space with an atmosphere of rustic elegance and intimate conviviality. The room itself is a study in refined comfort, with thoughtful décor that speaks to the estate's rich history and deep connection to the land. The culinary journey commenced with a menu that is both sophisticated and grounded in local produce. Each dish was a testament to the chef’s meticulous skill and creative vision. The flavors were layered and complex, yet harmonious, a delicate dance of textures and tastes that celebrated the season's bounty. My main course, a beautifully prepared local lamb, was cooked to absolute perfection, tender and succulent, and paired with a rich, earthy jus that was a revelation in itself. However, the true magic of the evening was the seamless and inspired pairing of each course with the estate’s own exquisite wines. The sommelier’s selections were impeccable, demonstrating a profound understanding of how to elevate both the food and the wine through a symbiotic relationship. Each sip of a Heritage Wines vintage was a new discovery, a liquid narrative of the Stanthorpe terroir, from the crisp, mineral-laced whites to the robust, full-bodied reds. The experience was further enriched by a delightful and impromptu lecture at the vines. Our host, with a passion that was both infectious and deeply knowledgeable, shared insights into the viticultural practices and the unique characteristics of the Granite Belt. It was a fascinating glimpse into the artistry behind the bottle, transforming a simple meal into an educational and profoundly personal journey. Heritage Wines of Stanthorpe is more than a restaurant; it is a destination. It is a place where every detail, from the crackle of the fire to the last lingering taste of wine on the palate, is crafted with an unwavering commitment to excellence. For those seeking an escape that combines gourmet dining, exceptional wine, and an ambiance of unparalleled warmth, this is an establishment that not only meets expectations but gloriously exceeds them. It is, without a doubt, a winter dining experience of the...

Heritage Winery provides a very, very special experience for international visitors to Australia.

The winery provides accommodation in modern as well as heritage settings, excellent food and wine from vines outside the door plus the chance to experience bushland and local wildlife with kangaroos grazing among the vines (see my photos). The winery offers a choice of over thirty wines with a number winning top awards.

The winery is easily accessed by car, or by Crisps coach from Brisbane’s central bus and rail interchange at Roma Street. I chose coach as I wanted to be free to see the countryside I was travelling through and not be bothered with hiring a car. The coach dropped me at the door of the winery and picked me up a few days later.

Wine tasting by the log fire was a delightful way to spend the afternoon. When I was there it was June - winter - and the temperatures were similar to a European spring. The winery is very busy on weekends so it might be easier to get accommodation earlier in the week. I was fortunate enough to go on a tour of the winery and watch the bottling at work.

The journey from Brisbane takes the visitor through relatively flat farmland and then up through the narrow Cunningham’s Gap in the Scenic Rim mountain range and across the Southern Downs to Warwick - with its cathedral and monastery - and on to Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt wineries.

The restaurant and main wine tasting area are packed with heritage furniture and other items of interest. Those interested in heritage might enjoy sitting at the table at which the agreement separating Queensland and NSW was signed in 1869.

So if you want to experience Australia away from the main cities and beach, Heritage Winery will give you an experience you...