Strange Bird grape varieties
Rare delights are flourishing at Ballandean Estate
We love our Strange Birds™! And so do Friends of Ballandean and wine judges.
- Our Saperavi Strange Bird™ won GOLD at the 2018 International Saperavi Prize and at 2017 Australian Alternative Varieties wine competitions.
- Ballandean Estate owner Angelo Puglisi planted his first Strange Bird™ variety Malbec in 1984.
- In early 2019, launched Queensland’s 27th Strange Bird™, the first Ballandean Estate Malvasia vintage.
What is a Strange Bird™?
A rare and alternative wine! Granite Belt wineries offer a boutique and authentic wine experience, where in many cases the hands that pour your glass are the same that tended the vines and made the wine. We banded together to promote our unique high altitude destination with the Strange Bird™ Wine Trail. It gives you the chance to taste your way through 30 Granite Belt wineries.
What makes a grape variety alternative?
To be called an “alternative”, a variety must represent not more than 1% of the total bearing vines in Australia as defined by the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.
Why is Australia embracing Strange Birds™?
Enjoyed in Europe for generations these alternative varieties are now emerging as Australian favourites. Why? They match perfectly with food. Capture a Strange Bird™ and take it home today.
Your wine discovery starts here
Like to become a Friend of Ballandean? Here’s a few ways you can go about it:
- Join our wine club free of charge by subscribing to our mailing list.
- Sign up to our mailing list free of charge at the cellar door.
- When you purchase your first 12 bottles of wine, you automatically become a Friends of Ballandean member and you start saving straight away on your next purchase. You will receive life-long discounts, save money and enjoy exclusive invites to members’ events. You can also join our wine club any time you like no purchase required via email registration. Find out more on Friends of Ballandean.

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