Girraween estate began it’s life when Steve and Lisa Messiter purchased the property in 2009. Before that the estate was known as Bald Mountain where owner Dennis Parsons made the wines. I’m sure many long time visitors will remember Dennis’s shiraz/cabernet blends and a signature white wine “The Queenslander”.
The first wines from Girraween Estate were made by Mike Hayes (ex Symphony Hill). Steve quickly discovered that when your wines are made by someone else at another winery’s facility that you don’t have the level of control over the entire process that you sometimes need. So Steve decided to purchase his own wine making equipment and make the wines himself consulting often in the early transition with Warren Smith from Pyramids Road. This decision has produced very good outcomes for the new winery, when you own the vineyard, grow the grapes and make the wine you are in the best position to be across the many nuances involved. Since making the decision Steve has learned a lot and has become a very good winemaker in his own right. 
His 2013, 2014 and 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon’s were awarded silver medals at the Australian Small Winemakers Show and his 2016 Shiraz/Cabernet got the gold gong and champion Queensland red wine of show.
Steve has the kind smile that makes you want to instantly respond with one of your own and it often seems as though there is some joke or humour almost but not quite surreptitiously just beneath. You will enjoy your time with Steve and if you really want to understand the nuances behind Steve’s smiles then perhaps sit down with his wife Lisa, open one of Steve’s Cabernet Sauvignon’s and don’t leave until it’s finished.
While Steve spends a lot of time in the vineyard caring for his adopted babies you will most often encounter Lisa in the cellar door. Lisa is bright, energetic and full of good cheer. She has a good palate and will spend as much time with you as you need to sample the Girraween Estate wines. Steve and Lisa make an excellent team for the overall management of this long established vineyard with a great track record for producing excellent fruit.
The Wines
Red Wines:
• Shiraz | • Cabernet Sauvignon | • Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ( from the excellent 2012 vintage) | • Reserve Petit Verdot | • Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon (not currently listed)
White Wines:
• Sauvignon Blanc | • Chardonnay (lightly oaked) | • Reserve Sauvignon Blanc (barrel fermented) | • Reserve Chardonnay (creamy oak)
Others:
• Sparkling Special Cuvée | • Rosé | • Sparkling Rosé | • Sparkling Shiraz
Details
Location: 41 Hickling Lane, Wyberba 4382.
Hours: Weekends and public holidays – 10 to 5pm.
Call Steve and Lisa 
0448866890
Girraween Estate Web Site
Girraween Estate – Steve second from right – is one of seven local vineyards who have formed a group called The Magnificent Seven Wine Makers. These are vineyards which are owned by the person who is also the viticulturist and vintner – owner, grower and wine maker if you prefer. Once each year the group show their wines on an evening in Brisbane. This is a wonderful opportunity to sample a range of excellent Granite Belt wines where you can also chat to the wine makers concerned. The current venue is Victoria Park Golf Complex. I cannot recommend this event to strongly to winelovers everywhere, it’s a great night. The pours are most generous and they often seem to increase as the night progressses. A range of very tasty canapes appears approximately thirty minutes after the wine tasting begins and they keep coming for around 45 minutes. The Facebook page is here:
