I’m sharing with you some news from Bungawarra Wines, one of the long established wineries on the Granite Belt. It is situated at Bents Road, Ballandean one of the major wine- growing districts south of Stanthorpe. The owner, Jeff Harden may be contacted on jharden@halenet.com.au

Our coldest August for 17 years is now almost over and the parrots have donned their mating colours. Nests are being built, song is in the air and the first grape shoots will quickly appear to start the 2009 Vintage. The Granite Belt Spring Wine Festival Season (now called Primavera ) is upon us so there will be the customary influx of visitors from now till the final event, the Australian Small Winemakers Show (Public Tasting, 25 October) – please see www.asws.com.au

The Bungawarra contribution is to be part of an event where entrants can blend their own bottle of red. There are five wineries involved who will contribute the base wine to be blended (under guidance and with appropriate heckling!) so that you will be able to share the agonies of decision winemakers have to go through at such times. You will then have a bottle of your blend to take home with you (called “Me and Five Friends”) and, we think, a good time and good memories as well. Phone or email Jeff Harden if you’d like to be a part of the event Blend a Hand on Saturday 4 October, 11:30 am to 2:30 pm. The cost is $50 pp and includes a gourmet pie lunch (now that’s value!!).

Be wise, book accommodation now with me at Das Helwig Haus B&B. www.webstation.com.au/accom/helwig
Shakespeare under the Stars… After the success of Bungawarra’s previous productions, The Stanthorpe Little Theatre group will present Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, at Bungawarra among the backlit rocks and trees. It will be a lot of fun, the weather will be perfect and the setting will make it a magic night. Support for previous productions has been wonderful, with packed out Saturday night performances and good attendances on the Friday and Sunday nights. If you’re thinking of visiting the Granite Belt in spring, pencil it in for the weekend of October 10-12. It will also be part of our Primavera Festival.
Book accommodation now at Das Helwig Haus B&B during the Primavera – The Granite Belt Spring Wine Festival Season. www.webstation.com.au/accom/helwig

The days are beautifully sunny, the nights still cold and cuddly, so perhaps you are thinking of visiting to experience a night around the fire with a glass of red. I still have accommodation available for the weekend of Father’s Day, Saturday 6th September so reward fathers by emailing me on helwig@halenet.com.au to make your booking to reserve a room with its own fireplace.