Glen Aplin: Wine and Regional Produce

Jester Hill Wines is located in Glen Aplin on the Granite Belt, 800 metres above sea level. Wine tastings, regional produce and seasonal fruit are among the ways to experience the area. According to the operator, Jester Hill Wines is only a short drive from Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

Wine tastings with different focuses

Jester Hill Wines welcomes visitors for wine tastings at its cellar door and sells wine there. At Mountview Wines, the focus is on personalised tastings in a charmingly rustic space. The wines on offer include cool-climate varieties and small-batch wines. The range also includes limited releases and wines available exclusively at the cellar door; the availability of specific releases may vary.

Mountview Wines is located on the cycling route between Stanthorpe and Ballandean. If you’d like to use this route information for planning, check the current route, as it may change locally. One tourism listing places walking trails in Girraween National Park 20 minutes from Mountview Wines. It does not specify the mode of transport, so take that into account when planning.

Winery history and group tastings

Kominos Wines opened in 1976. Winemaker Tony Comino has overseen more than 35 vintages since then. Awards also provide a historical reference when choosing wines: in 2006, Kominos Wines received the “Best Cabernet Sauvignon” award at the National Cool Climate Wine Show, as well as gold for the Winemaker’s Reserve Merlot at the NZ International Wine Show.

Kominos Wines offers guided group tastings, which require a booking. This differs from the personalised tastings at Mountview Wines. If you’re planning a group visit, remember that a booking is required. This can help you choose the right tasting format for your stay without treating the different offerings as the same.

Regional food and seasonal fruit

Fresh stone fruit is in season in Glen Aplin from November to March; fresh berries are in season from November to early March. Exact harvest dates may vary from year to year. If you’re planning your trip around a particular fruit, keep these seasonal windows in mind and check current availability.

Jamworks Gourmet Foods makes more than 70 gluten- and preservative-free products locally, using regional produce where possible. The number of products may change. If you’re looking for a specific product, check in advance whether it’s currently available. Jamworks combines local production with the potential use of regional ingredients.

Near Glen Aplin, The Bramble Patch is a berry farm offering product tastings. Its range also includes handmade gourmet jams, dessert and meat sauces, relishes, vinegars and fortified berry wines; its products have received national awards. Check the current availability of tastings and products for sale before visiting. Produce used on the Granite Belt includes eggplants, tomatoes, capsicums, figs, quinces and grapes; many of these are used to make popular products.

More things to see and do locally

At Cooked from Scratch Cooking School, participants take a hands-on role in the cooking process and receive immediate feedback. If a class is important to your travel plans, check the current offerings in advance. The Glen Aplin 1939–1945 Honour Board, made of silky oak and located in Glen Aplin Memorial Hall, offers a historical point of interest.

Discover more destinations: Wynnum, Pozieres, Proserpine, Whitfield, The Gemfields, Trinity Beach, Gold Coast, Yeppoon

For the broader travel guide: Queensland.