There are many varieties grown in the South Burnett, however there are of course a few that immediately spring to mind when you think of this region.
Verdelho, Viognier and Semillon are the three major white grape varieties, all of which have been chosen through years of trial and experimentation, because they are ideal in our climate.
That said there are a few up and comers which warrant a mention and I envisage will warrant a paragraph of their own in the not to distant future. Mediterranean varieties such as Vermentino, Fiano and to a lesser extent Pinot Grigio and Arneis are beginning to make an appearance on the scene and it will be well worth keeping an eye out for them.
The red grapes of the South Burnett have been evolving in recent years and the emergence of new varieties such as Tempranillo, Sangiovese, Saperavi and Nebbiolo is way past the experimental stage, and these new varieties have made a firm foot hold in the region, perhaps even surpassing the traditional varieties of Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet in terms of vineyard area and popularity, and new varieties are still being planted.
There are quality wines produced from all of these varieties and more, including reds, whites and rose’s that are beginning to grab the attention of the judges and public alike. The cooler nights of the South Burnett and early summer harvest season which occurs during the drier December – February period are proving ideal for the production of high quality, fruit forward and elegant wines.