Best’s Great Western is celebrating its 160th anniversary this year and to mark the milestone, the family winery has launched its 160 Years Poured In campaign.
The family is inviting wine lovers to share their own Best’s memories online or at cellar door.
Best’s longevity is remarkable, with five generations of family history and some of the oldest pre-phylloxera vines in the world.
But it’s the people and their memories that make the Thomson family most proud.
And they want to capture them for future generations.
Fifth generation managing director Ben Thomson says, “Best’s wine is poured into 160 years of Australian life – into celebrations, farewells, first dinners, long lunches, quiet evenings.
“Every bottle that has ever left Great Western has been poured into a moment that mattered to someone.
“We’d love to hear what some of these were for nostalgic reasons.
“The stories shared so far, from the trade, wine lovers and local community have been humbling and so amazing.”
The winery’s own history began in 1866, when Henry Best first recognised the potential of the Great Western region for making wine.
The vines he planted by hand in 1868 are still producing today, among the oldest in the world.
In 1920, the Thomson family became custodians of Best’s, a family that had already established their own winery in Great Western back in 1893.
Although steeped in tradition, the winery also embraces innovation.
Ben Thomson is shortlisted for the 2027 Halliday Viticulturist of the Year in part for his role in trialling new technology including UVC light trials and autonomous vehicles in their Great Western vineyards.
Ben says, “We’ve never been afraid to take risks or try new things, and it’s served us well, through good times and the tougher years.
“You have to make wine from the heart to continue for five generations.
“We are committed to remaining customer focused, innovative and ensuring our brand thrives for many years to come.”
Members of the public and the wine trade are invited to share their own Best’s story at https://bestswines.com/160-years-poured-in-share-your-story/ or in person at the cellar door.
Photo: Eric and Mary Thomson.