About Us

Golden Grove Estate Vineyard and Winery is located at Ballandean, a 15 minute drive south of Stanthorpe. Ballandean is the heart of Queensland’s premier wine district, the Granite Belt.

The high altitude of 820 meters and the cool summer climate make the area ideal for growing wine grapes. The vineyards are planted in a northerly aspect in a combination type soil of decomposed granite with a trap rock loam and are drip irrigated from the Accommodation Creek. These attributes contribute to the slow ripening and full development of soft and delicate flavours, resulting in award winning wines.

Our History

Mario and Nita Costanzo first settled the Ballandean property in 1946 to grow grapes and stone fruit for the fresh fruit market. Left over grapes were processed into bulk wine to sell to the Italian immigrant community.

Sam and Grace Costanzo took over the family farm and as the wine industry emerged classic wine grape varieties were planted for the making of commercial wine.

Ray Costanzo followed in his father and grandfathers’ footsteps to become the winemaker at Golden Grove Estate. In recent years lesser known varieties have been planted and Ray has made these his speciality.

Pictured: A Young Raymond Costanzo with his grandfather Mario

Pictured from left: Ray, Jason and Sam Costanzo

Our Team

Ray & Jenny Costanzo

Ray is a third generation winemaker, having studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (winemaking) at CSU and working for several vintages in various parts of Australia and the USA, Ray returned home to Stanthorpe to follow in his father and grandfathers footsteps as winemaker at Golden Grove Estate. Ray was awarded the 2019 Queensland Winemaker of the Year at the Courier-Mail Queensland Wine Awards 2019.

Jen recently came to work in the family winery after a career in pathology, laboratory and quality management. Her role at Golden Grove Estate is varied and includes everything and anything from looking after customers at the cellar door, managing the wine club, to assisting Ray in the winery.

Jason Costanzo

Jason is a qualified and well experienced chef, having worked in many restaurants in Australia and Italy. He now caters for Golden Grove Estate’s special events and is currently opering a pop-up restuarant on weekends with his wife, Ivana, who is in charge of front of house operations. When Jason is not in the kitchen he can be found working in the vineyard alongside his father Sam.

Sam & Grace Costanzo

Details Coming Soon

Meet Winemaker Raymond Costanzo

What made you decide to become a winemaker?

“I was born and bred into the industry. As a third generation winemaker I grew up in the winery under my father Sam and grandfather Mario. Always getting dirty and always making mischief.”

What did your introduction to winemaking look like?

“I grew up under a lot of great winemakers and also had two MWs (Masters of Wine) around quite often. At the end of the day winemaking was just what we did on a day to day basis, part of everyday life for me.”

What does your day-to-day actually look like?

“I taste a lot of wines, lots of cleaning, lab work, bottling, labelling, marketing. There is always something to do!”

Do you have a favourite product, or one you’re most excited about?

“Our Rose Brose – Rose is really hard to make well. Balancing freshness with texture and aromatics all the while being aware of the final colour is also so important, a challenge for a colour blind winemaker.

But I also love Vermentino and Tempranillo.”

Do you have a favourite tool in your trade, that you just couldn’t live/work without?

“My Bluetooth speaker!! You can tell what mood I’m in by what’s blasting out through the winery, and of course my bottling line.”

What do you wish everyone knew about your wines?

“They are hand made from estate grown fruit (99% of the time when mother nature plays well). Made with honesty and integrity that are hands down great value for money while being at the top of the tree for quality.”

When you’re not making wine, what do you like to do out and about on the Granite Belt?

“I love to ride whether it be my MTB on the local trails or my Road bike when training for Triathlons. Top gun drone pilot, Ballet dad extraordinaire and of course proud rural firefighter with the Eukey Rural Fire Brigade.”

Where you’ll find Raymond…

“While I don’t get to the front of house often, you will see me floating around the place but always happy to have a chat about wines that we make and the Granite Belt if you ask.”