Madeleine’s Fury takes out Vineyard Cup at Ballandean Estate

Over 150 punters flocked to Ballandean Estate’s inaugural Autumn Race Day on Sunday 2 May 2020. Aimee McKean and Madeleine Green from Brisbane won the Vineyard Cup with syndicate Madeleine’s Fury. They will be hosting an exclusive Ballandean Estate pop-up tasting at home with ten lucky friends.

Leeanne and Robyn to visit Brisbane for pop-up tasting party

Having the Puglisi sisters in my home pouring some of Queensland’s finest wines to match the menu we put together is going to take festive to the next level. We feel like family every time we visit, can’t wait to return their warmth and hospitality!

We’ve been coming to Opera in the Vineyard as a group for years and are thrilled to be back at Ballandean Estate for Rotary’s charity fundraiser.

We simply could not resist a long weekend on the Granite Belt combined with the chance to dress up, indulge in a long lunch from The Barrelroom and enjoy the party atmosphere, all in the beating heart of Ballandean. Our group stayed at Accommodation Creek Cottages just down the road from the vineyard. We will be back again same time next year for Autumn Race Day 2022.”

Madeleine Green

Charity fundraiser takes on new format

Event ambassador and fourth-generation vigneron Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi says,

It’s been a rollercoaster to get here, this event has been 18 months in the making due to COVID. Our punters have come from as far as Noosa and Brisbane, complemented by a massive show of support from our local punters and businesses such as Stanthorpe Jewellers, Lirah Vinegar, Sancerre Estate, Just Red Wines, Suttons Juice Factory, the Stanthorpe Races and the Queensland College of Wine Tourism.

We’ve had fashions on the field, raffles, alternative races, lucky door prizes, live music from Cole Train and a great day out in the vines. This year, funds raised will be distributed to Stanthorpe charities.

Autumn Race Day major prize winners will be coming back for a return trip to the Granite Belt to experience the Stanthorpe Races in October 2021, accommodation for two at Just Red cabins including breakfast, tickets to the Stanthorpe races, transfers to and from the event, 1 dozen bottles of Ballandean Estate wines, and lunch at the Queensland College of Wine Tourism.

Rotary Club Stanthorpe’s charity fundraiser Opera in the Vineyard raised over $1 million for charity in partnership with Ballandean Estate. After 27 brilliant events, we have shaken up the format to create a new experience for the Granite Belt.” 

Leeanne Puglisi-Gangemi