The Stanthorpe Agricultural Show is on Friday 3^rd and Saturday 4^th of February 2012.

Our family first went to the show 2 years ago and were very impressed with the whole day. It has all the traditional agricultural displays of sheep, wool, cattle and horses together with side show alley and an excellent fireworks display at the end of the night. Being in the wine district a large array of local wines are also on display.

Last year our receptionist and event co-ordinator Valerie was a commentator in the equestrian events on Saturday afternoon.

So if you are looking for a fun filled day, the Stanthorpe Show is well worth a look.

Owners Dee & Geoff and many of the staff employed at Happy Valley have young families.  Since this is our quietest time of the year Dee & Geoff decided to close for two weeks to allow their staff and themselves to enjoy this special holiday time with their families.

We hope you all have a wonderful and safe holiday and wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Are you looking to getaway somewhere different for Summer?

As much as the beach is enjoyable this time of the year, Stanthorpe still has a lot to offer in the Summer time. Not only do you have all the wineries and attractions, low humidity and cooler nights but you have lots of fresh fruit! 

We always get asked when the best time to get fresh fruit - well now is the time.

So why not take advantage of our 5 night summer special for $555 per couple. This will give you plenty of time to tour the granite belt with out rushing and get plenty of fresh fruit while you are here!

This package includes 5 nights accommodation in a timber cabin including breakfast each morning. Include a Saturday night in your stay and get our fully cooked breakfast in the restaurant…. what could be better.

Get an easy take away dinner from one of Stanthorpe’s many options and eat it in the cool of the evening, or our on-site a-la-carte restaurant is open 7 nights.

RULE #1 for Stanthorpe =  ALWAYS BRING A JUMPER.

Regardless of the season, always bring a jumper or cardigan to Stanthorpe.

The last couple of nights we have had our log fire going in our cabin. Officially it was 9 deg C in Stanthorpe, but at Happy Valley it felt cooler than that. It was excellent, rain on the roof, the log fire in the background, glass of red at night, blankets, doonas, perfect sleeping-in weather …

I though I would let you know that I have just come back from Brisbane and unfortunately I had to fill up the car in Brisbane and paid $1.46 ltr.

I drove out of Brisbane and Ipswich and the price dropped to $1.37 ltr.

Aratula (just before Cunninghams Gap) was probably the cheapest, with Warwick only 1 or 2 cents different.

I also managed to get from Aspley on the north side of Brisbane to Stanthorpe in 3 hours. I had a good run along the Ipswich motorway roadworks – at midday, and a 5 minute wait at Cunninghams Gap.

Thanks Geoff

Valerie has confirmed that the Stanthorpe  fruit season has started (her parents own an apple and plum orchard).

The stone fruit is looking good, but the local apples may be a month or two away. I picked up some excellent local cherries yesterday from a roadside vendor and the kids have been getting stuck into them. The local strawberries are now in full flight and will be until April or May.

 We would like to congratulate Symphony Hill Wines for receiving the “Most Successful Queensland Exhibitor” award and Harrington Glen Estate with the “Best Queensland Red Wine” award for their 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon

 Not sure how good the Granite Belt wines are?

Here is just the list of the local winemakers whose wines we stock, and the awards they received, in no particular order (√ – indicates have the wine on the menu).

  Symphony Hill Wines

• Gold – 2009 Shiraz, Viognier
• Silver – 2010 Reserve Verdelho
• Bronze – 2009 Voigner
• Bronze – 2009 Danying Cabernet Sauvignon 
• Bronze – 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon   √
• Bronze – 2009 Reserve Petit Verdot
• Bronze – 2008 Petit Verdot

Harrington Glen Estate

• Gold – 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bronze – 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bronze – 2009 Merlot    √
• Bronze – 2009 Shiraz

Ravenscroft Wines

• Silver – 2009 Chardonnay  √
• Silver – 2010 Gewurtztraminer  √

Bungawarra Wines

• Silver – 2009 Paragon Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot
• Bronze – 2010 Foundation Chardonnay

Hidden Creek Wines

• Silver – 2009 Chardonnay

 Robert Channon Wines

• Silver – 2009 Reserve Chardonnay
• Bronze – 2011 Verdelho  √

 Casley Mount Hutton

• Bronze – 2011 Sauvignon Blanc  √

Tobin Wines

• Bronze – 2010 Kate Sauvignon Blanc  √
• Bronze – 2011 Maisie Verdelho

 Ballandean Estate Wines

• Silver – 2011 Voigner
• Silver – 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon  √
• Silver – 2007 Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
• Bronze – 2009 Family Reserve Shiraz

Jester Hill Wines

• Bronze – 2010 Touchstone Verdelho

Ridgemill Estate

• Bronze – 2010 Chardonnay
• Bronze – 2009 Shiraz
• Bronze – 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec
• Bronze – 2009 Monastrelli, Tempranillo

Granite Ridge Wines

• Bronze – 2009 Top Block Cabernet Sauvignon

Pyramids Road Wines

• Bronze – 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon
• Bronze – 2009 Merlot  √
• Bronze – 2009 Shiraz
• Bronze – 2009 Bernies Blend Mouvedre, Cabernet, Shiraz, Merlot

Lucas Estate

• Silver – 2010 Unwooded Tempranillo
• Bronze – The McKinlay Cabernet Sauvignon √

Twisted Gum

• Bronze – 2009 Shiraz

We heard that running repairs were able to made thanks to the assistance of some local businesses who allocated time in their busy schedule.

Bananas in Pyjamas overseeing the departure

 

  

  We wish them a safe and successful travel during their zig-zag trip down to Byron Bay.

 

Some of the vehicles leaving in the morning