Pyramids Road Wines

Pyramids Road Wines was established when Warren and Sue Smith hand planted the majority of the grapes in 1999 on what had been an orchard with some Black Muscat already established. Today the vineyard produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Mourvedre, Shiraz, Muscat. The label also produces a Chardonnay, Verdelho and Petit Verdot the grapes for which are sourced locally.

I first met Warren and Sue in July 2007. I tasted their 2005 Shiraz at the cellar door and promptly declared it was the best I had tasted in the entire region. The wine was later given 96 points by James Halliday and won a gold medal at the Australian Small Winemakers Show – yes occasionally the shows do get it right. Warren and Sue enjoy what they are doing immensely, it shows! They are very enthusiastic and extremely generous in the amount of time they give sharing the cause of their enthusiasm for life with all who visit the cellar door. You will feel most welcome, almost at home, when you experience the magnanimous energy of these two lovely people.

Warren whether in the cellar door, the vineyard, or the wine making facility, you are guaranteed to enjoy a conversation with any variety. He is eager to share his experience with both intelligence and humour. Myself and my wife Liliana have been amazed at Sue and Warren’s hospitality, even opening up their home and inviting us for dinner when we had only known them a short time.

While Warren is the star in the vineyard, Sue’s light shines very brightly in all areas of overall management and she is a gifted social organiser managing to somehow arrange many Pyramids Road events at home and on the road. It’s a demanding schedule but Sue always has a welcoming smile for everyone in the cellar door regardless of her daily schedule. If there is one thing I constantly hear from people who have visited Pyramids Road it’s genuine appreciation for Sue’s congeniality.

Cellaring-Drinking Pyramids Road wines since the 2005 vintage has been one of my more pleasant indulgences. Warren makes red wines that are true cellaring styles although the Merlot is usually a fruit driven early drinking style. His Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Mourvedre and Bernie’s Blend can be cellared for many years. Some vintages are very enjoyable drinks when they are quite young but, and unless you especially enjoy primary fruit, all vintages can be cellared for many years. Early in 2019 I had a 2008 Shiraz, it was excellent and still had years left in it’s drinking window.

The Wines

Red Wines:

• Cabernet Sauvignon | • Shiraz | • Mourvedre | • Petit Verdot | • Bernie’s Blend

Bernie’s Blend is a blend of each vintages best barrels, the last 2 years it has been Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Previously it has contained Shiraz and Mourvedre, it will vary depending on what any vintage serves up.

White Wines:

• Barrel Ferment Chardonnay | • Unwooded Chardonnay | • Verdelho

The grapes for the white wines are sourced from local vineyards as Sue and Warren have not planted white varieties at Pyramids Road.

Others:

A sweet wine • Mistella – A dessert style fortified wine made from Black Muscat grapes

Rosé Styles • Foot Stomped Rosé – A dry style | • Musć – A semi-sweet style

Warren on the 2019 Vintage

Details

Location: 25 Wyberba Lane, Wyberba 4382.

Hours: Daily – 10 to 4:30pm.
Call Sue and Warren   0432849212
Pyramids Road Wines Web Site            

Pyramids Road – Warren second from left – 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: