Climate of Queensland

Granite Belt

The Granite Belt in southern Queensland has one of Australia’s highest-altitude wine climates, giving it a distinctive cool continental character despite its subtropical latitude. Vineyards are typically planted between 600 and 1,000 metres above sea level, where summers are warm to hot during the day but drop to very cool nights, creating a large diurnal temperature range that slows ripening and preserves acidity. Winters are cold, with regular frosts and occasional snow, while most of the annual rainfall falls in summer, sometimes bringing challenges with humidity and disease pressure. The long, cool ripening season allows for balanced sugar and flavour development, supporting both classic varieties like Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as alternative grapes such as Tempranillo, Vermentino, and Saperavi. Overall, the Granite Belt’s climate combines altitude-driven coolness with seasonal extremes, producing distinctive wines of freshness, structure, and regional individuality.