Sunshine Coast wineries are winners this Christmas

Sunshine Coast locals are encouraged to take advantage of their proximity to some of Queensland’s finest food and wines this Christmas.

Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Desley Boyle said the festive season was the perfect excuse to visit local food and wine producers and stock up on goodies for Christmas and New Year.

“The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is the ideal place to find gifts for Christmas, or simply to stock up your pantry for the festive season,” Ms Boyle said.

“With a range of cellar doors and food producers to choose from, a visit to the Sunshine Coast and surrounding areas provides a unique day or weekend trip, while allowing people to complete their Christmas shopping.”

Ms Boyle said in the current economic climate it was important to support Queensland businesses, and buying locally was a good way to do that while indulging in a variety of wines, cheeses and sweets.

“The Sunshine Coast Hinterland has so much to offer. It makes sense for people to explore what is available in their own backyard,” she said.

“The natural surroundings also provide a welcome change to the bustle of crowded shopping centres at Christmas time.”

The Minister added that the Queensland Government supported local winemakers and food manufacturers through workshops, grants and assistance with displays at exhibitions and trade shows.

This year the Department of Tourism, Regional Development and Industry released the revised Wine and Food Map of Queensland which showcases a number of wineries and boutique food producers across the state.

The Little Morgue Winery at Nambour was converted from a morgue in 2003 and is now a popular tourist attraction thanks to its unusual history and ghoulishly named wines. Visitors can try a Crustacean Cortege at the Cadavery Café before picking up a bottle of Supreme After Life shiraz or A Touch O’ Coffin chardonnay. The Little Morgue Winery is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Visit www.littlemorguewinery.com

Located at Eudlo is the award-winning Fromart, producers of fine Swiss-style cheese. This year, Fromart’s Appenzell won a gold medal and two trophies at the Brisbane Cheese Awards. To place an online order, or to arrange a visit to the factory, contact the team through their website www.fromart.com.au

Other Sunshine Coast Hinterland cellar doors featured on the Food and Wine Map of Queensland include:

• Blind Man’s Bluff Vineyards www.blindmansbluff.com.au
• Dingo Creek Winery www.dingocreek.com.au
• Eumundi Winery www.eumundiwinery.com.au
• Kenilworth Bluff Winery roger@copyline.com.au
• Maleny Mountain Wines www.malenymountainwines.com.au
• Mason Wines www.masonwines.com.au
• Robinsons at Noosa www.robinsonsatnoosa.com
• Settlers Rise www.settlersrise.com.au

Maroochy Springs winery offers a mail order only service and can be contacted at maroochysprings@netspace.net.au

Details of boutique food producers Australian Nougat Company, Cedar Creek Farm Bush Foods, Kenilworth Cheese Factory, McMartins Farm, Maleny Boutique Cheese and Pioneer Coffee are also included on the map.

Another local highlight is the Ginger Factory at Yandina, one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular attractions and home to the much loved Buderim Ginger brand. The factory is open for tours from 9am to 5pm daily and visitors can pick up Christmas gifts in The Ginger Shop. Visit www.buderimginger.com.au/gingerfactory

For more information about local wineries, contact the tourist information centre at Noosa on 1300 066 672, Maroochy on 5459 9050 or Maleny on 1800 644 969.

To obtain a copy of the Wine and Food Map of Queensland, visit the HEMA Maps website at www.hemamaps.com.au

Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005