MARCH 2010:

The village of Ballandean where we are situated, supports the Ms Southern Belle.

Our float won grand champion in the 2010 Apple & Grape Parade.

A great effort by all concerned, a special thanks to long time chairman of the committee

Peter Day... I believe this was his 20th year as leader.

With Queensland awash with rain we are experiencing a fine mist from the east with occasional heavier rain.

Just what the grapes hate, However we all need the water.

Kaye & I intend to travel much more this year... So its time to close the cellar.... I know some will say when has it been open.

All wine is now from $5.00 per bottle!!!

Most have a bronze medal and are well made wines with bottle age.

Grab a bargain call 0746841309 for availability.

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2009:

The vines are pruned, fertilized, dolomite is spread and incorporated into the rows.

the weather is very warm and we need a good inch of rain... Bud burst will follow as

spring will be upon us.

JULY 2009:

We have swapped Beer for Wine.. Bikinis for Beanies & Thongs for Thermals...

It's serious winter weather intermingled with perfect sunny days & sleet followed by sun.

We hope the vines can handle the strange weather, it's certainly not as cold as previous years.

If you are calling at our cellar door all our wines are still $8 - Some are nearly sold out.

Try the 2002 Shiraz - 7years bottle age and drinking well.

September 2008:

Spring has sprung and we've thrown off the layers of clothing into the shorts. About to fertilize and check that all is working, irrigation, etc.

Within weeks, we will have bud burst...

Soon to release 2007

Merlot

Tempranillo

Will keep you informed.

July 2008:

We have had a long holiday but are now back on the job... Ron and I are pruning next week.  It has been a different year weather wise, warm days, cool nights - certainly not as cold as usual.

Great to see some new guests and also regulars at our Bed and Breakfast, it's the Granite Belts Best Kept Secret. Kaye's breakfasts are to die for.

A new release of 2007 Merlot and Tempranillo coming soon. We also have several vintages on special.

You now need to visit us at our cellar door in Zambelli Road - Number 62.

October 2007:

Big Changes!

We have sold our cafe on the New England Highway. It has been purchased by Jenny & John Rogers. They intend to renovate and change to a full restaurant; together with wines & gourmet take-aways. We wish them well!

Our cellar door is now back at Zambelli Road, we are open weekends, 10am to 4pm and we intend to run specials.

Our 2006 Tempranillo scored a bronze medal last week at the New England Wine Show. Other Granite Belt wineries scored very well.

The vines are budding and vineyard work is on in earnest.

We look forward to your next visit - Our phone number at the vineyard is 0746 841 309. Give us a call!

July 2007:

Even the locals are saying it's cold. John & Jenny from Girraween Environmental Lodge got down to -15degrees! Plenty of busted pipes everywhere. The frosts have been severe. We are about to begin pruning & some trellis repairs, work in some new drippers and foilage wires - it's time for odd jobs to be done before the season starts.

Visit our cafe on the highway in Ballandean and try our new 2006 vintages or pick up some amazing specials. We still have a small quantity of 2002 Shiraz @ $8.00. Be quick!

June 2007:

Autumn was very mild, we still have colour in the deciduous trees. The hydrangeas are flowering and the buddlia after pruning have also flowered. Our 2006 wines have been released & they are:

• 2006 Tempranillo
• 2006 Shiraz, this is a cracker and we think it is our best yet!
• 2006 Merlot Cabernet blend, predominately Merlot (70%) and the balance is Cabernet Sauvignon. Drink now or cellar as it will develop much more.

Winter and frosts will arrive with a vengence so when you visit, rug up and call in at our cafe on the highway in Ballandean. We have shifted our baby grand piano into the cafe, feel free to call in and tinkle the ivories or stop by for homemade hot soup & fresh baked ciabatta. We have accommodation available throughout the Brass Monkey Season - check the residence here. Phone Kaye for details - 0405 228 410.

March 2007:

Autumn on the Granite Belt. Its hard to beat cool nights, warm days & picking time. We are about to crush our Tempranillo followed by Merlot. Despite some late rain, the grapes are in good condition with the sugars holding up. It's going to be a special vintage, the colour & flavour of the grapes are intense.

Don't forget we have a B&B at our vineyard. Call Kaye on 46 841 309 for details.

February 2007:

Madelaine & Mark have decided to take life easier and head in a different direction. Kaye & John have been recycled, however before they take over, they are having a short break. See us in March for an extra special wine sale & a new menu (both will be shown here on the website).

In the vineyard, the vines are looking very healthy, sugar is rising & we now await them to develop all their complex flavours that are part of Cody's wines.

Early October:

Whilst attending to shoot selection & debudding the vines, I noticed that some young shoots were damaged by the unusual cold weather. Old timers talk about late October & even December black frosts with water at a premium and the weather warming very quickly it an interesting time. 30 - 60mm of rain would be great - but no storms please.

This is stonefruit time and towards the end of next month, picking will begin. Our area grows large quantities of quality peaches, nectarines, apricots and other assorted cold climate fruit.

Mark & Madelaine at the cafe have just hosted dinner for the 22 wine judges from various parts of Australia. The judges were in Stanthorpe for the Small Wine Makers Awards. Good luck to all entrants.

Kaye & I travel as much as possible and we do run other businesses. If our cellar door isn't open, our wines are available for tasting & purchase at the cafe on the New England Highway.

Looking for accomodation for the Long Lunch? We still have two rooms available. Phone Kaye on 0405 228 410 or leave a message on 0746 841 309.

We look forward to seeing you!

1/06/06:

The first day of winter - rug up if you are visiting Ballandean on the Granite Belt, Tuesday morning at 830am recorded a temperature of -2.2 degrees celcius. It's time for open fires, sumptuous red wines, moroccan style lamb or goat casseroles washed down with a Cody's Cabernet Merlot or Shiraz. Mark & Madeline at the Cafe have created new winter warmers; your favourite chicken pies, a delicious spicy roasted pumpkin soup and a bold & gusty massaman beef curry - together with your other favourites.

We look forward to seeing you.

Phone Kaye on 0746 841 309 for accomodation at the vineyard or Madelaine on 0746 841 000 to book in at the Cafe.

9/5/06:

Just a quick message to let you know that the cellar door at Zambelli Road will be closed over the next few weekends. We apologise for any inconvenience.  

Our wine can still be tasted & purchased, along with Sirromet Whites, at the Cody's Cafe on the New England Highway.

24/3/06: Vintage 2006

This season's early hot summer has brought on an early vintage. The current weather is ideal; warm days, cool nights & no rain. This has led to the developments of some delicious flavours in the grapes.

We picked our tempranillo in late February. It's an exciting variety and suits our area. In December, we visited Argentina and were surprised to find the same geography; similar altitude, rainfall and decomposed granite soil. The Argentines are big tempranillo growers.

The finished style of our 2005 tempranillo is very French, perhaps that is the influence of our winemaker, Adam Chapman. He worked several vintages in the Lower Rhone. Our tempranillo is not unlike a pinot - very much a food wine.

This weekend we are selectively hand picking our shiraz and merlot, choosing only the best bunches. The cabernet is still one to two weeks away from picking. Now that the summer has finished, so begins our favourite season. Autumn. It's a most colourful and picturesque time. We have some vacancies in the Bed & Breakfast. If you have yet to experience Kaye's hospitality and gourmet breakfasts, call her now on 0405 228 410.

28/2/06: Apple & Grape Festival

This weekend (3rd, 4th & 5th of March) is The Bi-Annual Apple & Grape Festival in The Granite Belt. Cody's Vineyard are opening the cellar door at Zambelli Road Vineyard on Saturday the 4th & Sunday the 5th, 10am till 4pm. John Cody (vineyard owner) will be ready to talk, taste and spit wine, while you soak up some Ballandean sun & the gorgeous views of our vineyard and the surrounding area. Please call 074 6841 309 if you are a large group (greater than 10) and want to drop by to try some wine.

21/2/06: NEW!

Exciting wine release:  Tempranillo / Shiraz (70% / 30%)

Savoury, spicy fruit filled wine, drinks beautifully with most food. $18 per bottle.

Arriving in March at Cody's Cafe with a pretty silver label. 

Do you want to pre-order or make an enquiry? Email us.