Best’s Great Western
As a Victorian, I’ve been drinking Best’s Great Western wines for years, and they’ve been making it even longer – back to the 1860s. 2016 celebrated their 150th anniversary, making them one of Australia’s oldest family owned estates.
North-west of Melbourne in the region of The Grampians (formerly known as Great Western which is now a subregion), James Halliday describes the area as “quintessential Australian bush country, much of the slopes still covered with stringybark eucalypts”. Indeed, the old “great western” name harks back to the mid 19th century, a time when the vast expanse of western Victoria meant the gold rushes and endless get rich quick opportunities. But with the population influx into the western provinces, some say up to 20,000 miners were prospecting in Ballarat as early as 1853, other industries grew over time too. One of these was wine.
Henry Best, for whom Best’s Great Western is named, planted his first vines in the region as far back as 1866. A few decades later, the scotsman William Thomson bought property and planted vines at Rhymney to the south, adding the original Best’s vineyards to his holdings in 1920 upon Henry Best’s death. The Thomson family continue to own and operate Best’s Great Western today, making it one of the few historic Australian wineries to remain non-corporatized.
Best’s original plantings included 48,000 vines and many exist today, pre-phylloxera and on their original rootstock. Soils range from hard setting silt over clay to friable clay loams. In general the soils and vineyards are low yielding and retain moisture very well, essential in a region with limited rainfall. The altitude of the Grampians region results in lower than average temperatures than that of the Central Victorian wine regions to the east. The climate of the region is Mediterranean with breezes from the Southern Ocean providing a cooling influence during summer. The region is especially well suited to later ripening red varieties, particularly Shiraz.
There are three ranges to Best’s wines: Icon, Concongella and Great Western. The Icon range represents the old 1860s dry grown vines, such as the Old Vine Pinot Meunier, Thomson Family Shiraz (2017 wine of the year) and ‘Bin 0’ Shiraz; Concongella are special wines that are made as a result of a particular vintage, innovative cellar or winemaking techniques such as the Foudre Ferment Riesling; and the Great Western Range represents Best’s classic, medium-bodied style of wines including Shiraz and Riesling.
Best’s Thomson Family Shiraz 2014 was awarded James Halliday’s Wine of the Year for 2017, an amazing accolade for the winemaking team. Watch and listen to Viv Thomson, Best’s winemaker for 51 vintages, talk about the history of the Grampians and Best’s.
Wines
A Time For Mercy by John Grisham
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: fiction - crime, legal thriller and suspense, courtroom drama
Does the blurb reflect the plot: yes, it’s a good taste of what’s to come.
Sum it up: giving off a lot of To Kill A Mockingbird vibes, A Time For Mercy is set in the Deep South, where everyone has an opinion against underdog and accused murderer Drew and his popular lawyer Jake, who is fast losing friends. The plot is a slow burn, but it works because a quick paced thriller would have been in direct conflict with the setting of the book and its wide range of well crafted characters. Grisham was smart in building the suspense ever so slowly, for the atmosphere pours from the pages, pulling you in and keeping you invested as you wait for the verdict. Put simply, it’s another great read from the master of courtroom thrillers and suspense.
Who should read it: fans of Grisham, legal thrillers and suspense, those that like a slow burn and those who like the crime genre generally.
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#atimeformercy #johngrisham, #hodderbooks #crime #thriller #suspense #courtroomdrama #legal #novel #ktbookbingo #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #book #bookreview #thebookbitchesbookclub #bestswines #sparklingshiraz #wine #redwine #sparklingwine #madprovidore #grazingbox #cheese #fruit #chocolate #dip #meat #booksandbooze #wineandcheese johngrisham hodderbooks bestswines madprovidore_
SENSATIONAL SHIRAZ SAVINGS 🍷
On #ShirazWineDay we’re joining in the celebrations with a special offer for the next 48 hours. Login and enjoy 10% off all shiraz orders over $175, plus free shipping if you spend a minimum of $250. Make sure to login to your account to receive the special discount.
It’s a chance to stock your cellar with your favourite Best’s Shiraz.
SHOP SHIRAZ -> click the link in our bio. #BestsWines
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#shirz #australianwine #aussiewines #greatwestern #aussiewines #celebrate #visitvictoria #greatwesternwines #grampiansshiraz
🍫🍷 Indulge in the Ultimate Chocolate and Wine Experience! 🌟
experiencethegrampians invites you to join their NEW Saturday delight, the Chocolate and Wine Experience, starting August 5th! 🗓️ Indulge in a day of pure bliss with the perfect blend of sweetness and sophistication.
Kickstart the day with a hot beverage and a 1-hour chocolate-making workshop, at kerries_kreations - YUM! 🍫
Then you`ll embark on a wine tasting journey including Australia`s oldest vines and an underground cellar tour at bestwines 🍷
To conclude the tour, savor a delectable lunch at grampiansestate.winery, perfectly complementing the continued wine tasting experience. Get ready for flavours that will tantalize your tastebuds! 🍷🍇
Book your experience via the link in experiencethegrampians bio now!
#localbitesandsights #thegrampians #kerrieskreations #bestswines #grampiansestatewinery #chocolate #wine #experiencethegrampians #event #activities #winter
During the late 1800s premium red and white wines were labelled as Claret 0 (red) and Hock 0 (white). Our founder Henry Best and his brother Joseph used this naming convention on their wines from 1870 onwards.
The Thomson family continued this system when they took over in 1920 until the 1980s when Australian wineries were required to remove references to French regions and terms. Claret No 0 became Hermitage Bin No. 0 in 1990 before it began a new life as Bin No. 0 Shiraz and it has lived with this moniker since – it’s one of Australia’s longest consecutively labelled wines. #BestsWines #TBT #AustralianWine
Exciting news! In case you missed it the urbanwinewalk is heading to Brunswick East on Saturday, 12th August and we’re excited to be partnering up with team from craftsmanscornerbar for the occasion! Grab yourself a ticket and we`ll see you there! Link in bio.
#bestswines #wineevent #winetasting #urbanwinewalk #winetastingevent #vicwine
Bridge Burning and Other Hobbies by Kitty Flanagan
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: non-fiction - memoir
Does the blurb reflect the plot: it barely scratches the surface of the hilarious tales and mishaps to come.
Sum it up: before Flanagan shared her rules to live by; she grew up with an a unique sense of style, had a string of interesting relationships, worked some crazy jobs and all the while kept her fabulous sense of humour. Writing from the heart, she shares some of her happiest,embarrassing and memorable moments both as an adult and a child. Her writing is sharp, witty and engaging, with lots of laugh out loud moments. I appreciated that she didn’t shy away from cringeworthy moments and that she gave us a seat at the family table. A memoir that will make you feel good, it’s well worth a read.
Who should read it: fans of Flanagan, those looking for a book that will make you laugh out loud and for those that enjoy memoirs.
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#bridgeburningandotherhobbies #kittyflanagan #allenandunwin #nonfiction #memoir #comedy #laughoutloud #funny #reflective #nostalgia #family #relationships
#ktbookbingo #booklover #bibliophile #bookworm #goodreads #book #bookstagram #bookreview #thebookbitchesbookclub #fire #readingbythefire #booksandbooze #redwine #bestswines #cabernetsauvignon #kokoblack #chocolate #saltedcaramel kittyflanagan allenandunwin bestswines kokoblackchocolate
SYNERGIE LAB - Les vins de nos clients ont été mis à l`honneur lors du Concours des Grenaches du Monde 2023 qui s`est déroulé à New York 😍🍷
Bravo à toutes les équipes des châteaux, caves coopératives et vignerons !! 👏👏👏
Vignobles Terrassous
Double🥇AOP Rivesaltes blanc 2015 "Hors d`Âge 6 ans"
🥇AOP Rivesaltes blanc 2004 "Hors d`Âge 18 ans"
Château de L`Ou
🥇AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages rouge 2020 "Compartir"
🥇IGP Côtes Catalanes blanc 2021 "Secret de schistes"
Domaine de la Pertuisane
🥇IGP Côtes Catalanes rouge 2021 "Le Nain Violet"
🥇IGP Côtes Catalanes rouge 2021 "Pompier"
Le Clos D `Elpis
🥇IGP Côtes Catalanes rouge 2021 "Pandore"
Château Valmy
🥇IGP Côtes Catalanes rosé 2022 "Première Rose"
Chateau de PENA
🥇AOP Rivesaltes rouge tuilé "Rivesaltes Tuilé"
Domaine Deprade Jorda
🥇AOP Rivesaltes rouge tuilé 2016 "Rivesaltes Tuilé"
Domaine Mas de Lavail
🥇AOP Maury sec rouge 2021 "Ego"
🥇AOP Maury sec rouge 2021 "Âme-Auriol"
Cellier Tremoine
🥇AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages rouge 2021 "La Clotade"
🥇AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages Lesquerde rouge 2022 "Loubet de Sceaury"
🥈AOP Côtes du Roussillon rosé 2022 "Tendance"
Domaine La Toupie
🥈AOP Maury sec rouge 2021 "Sur un Fil Rouge"
Le palmarès complet est disponible via le lien suivant : https://www.grenachesdumonde.com/palmares/
#domainelatoupie #celliertremoine #masdelavail #chateaudelou #domainedepradejorda #chateaudepena #chateauvalmy #domainedelapertuisane #closdelpis #vignoblesterrassous #grenachesdumonde #grenachesdumonde2023 #bestswines #pyreneesorientales #vins #roussillon
There`s only a few days left to get your vote in for Best’s in the 2024 Halliday Wine
Companion People’s Choice Award: Best Winery
Experience! The annual winecompanion Awards recognises the
best from across Australia`s wine industry. For the
second year now, wine lovers can get involved and vote
for their favourite Australian winery and we’re hoping
you’ll vote for Best’s Wines.
Have your say by submitting your vote before midnight
July 16, 2023 and you’ll go into the draw to win a 2024
Halliday Wine Companion Awards pack valued at over
$1400! Link in bio.
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#bestswines #halliday #grampianswine
#wineryexperience #vicwine #wine #competition
#wineofaustralia #hallidaywinecompanion
#peopleschoice
Who remembers when Best’s won the Jimmy Watson for our 2011 Bin No. 1 Shiraz? After many years of entering wine awards, we were thrilled to pick up this prestigious trophy. If you’re lucky enough to have one (or more) of these in your cellar, Viv suggests drinking it within the next 6 months.
#TBT #bestswines
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#astepbackintime #aussiewinehistory #australianwinehistory #shiraz #winetrophy #wineawards #jimmywatsontrophy
We`re excited to announce Best`s Wines are sponsors for the 2023 Tourism & Hospitality Award as part of the 2023 Victorian Community Achievement Awards Australia. These annual awards highlight and reward the contributions that individuals, groups, organisations and businesses make towards building stronger local communities in our vibrant state.
Do you know anyone who deserves to be recognized for their contribution to the Tourism & Hospitality sector? Or perhaps someone deserving from one of the other categories. Nominations are open until 1st September. Link in Bio
#bestswines #communityachievementawards #community #awards #thegrampiansway #visitvictoria #tourismandhospitalityaward #tourismandhospitality
TAKE A WALK ON THE WINE SIDE
Join Best’s Wines on Saturday 12th August for the urbanwinewalk – a completely self-guided walking tour. Receive an event map with a range of bars, restaurants and winemakers, transforming Brunswick into an urban cellar door.
Best’s Wines will be at craftsmanscornerbar but there’s many artisan producers to also discover. Click the link in our bio to secure your tickets. #BestsWines #UrbanWineWalk
Image credit: urbanwinewalk
I think it was #jameshalliday who described #bestsgreatwestern Bin 0 Shiraz as an “iron fist in a velvet glove”. This 2013 was exactly that. A nose of raspberry, fennel, rosemary and a hint of white pepper. Raspberry followed through on the palate with layers of dried herbs, earthiness, and a slight touch of astringent lime. The structure is complex power held together with tight acidity. A very, very good wine with a few more years before it hits its drinking window. simonaprice007
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#aussiewine #australianwine #bests #bestsgreatwestern #bestswines #cellardoor #delish #dinner #grampians #grampianswine #greatwestern #greatwesternwines #instawine #redwine #shiraz #sparklingshiraz #victorianwine #visitvictoria #wine #winelover #winelovers #winery #winestagram #winetasting #winetime #yummy
A MOMENT IN TIME…
Did you know that the Thomson family has an incredible history that predates the age of photography?
Check out this amazing painting of Emily Grace Hamill from the late 1800s. Emily played a key role in the Thomson family, marrying Frederick Thomson in 1906. Her legacy now lives on in our new wine that pays tribute to her story. It`s fascinating to see how the past can shape the present, don`t you think?
LEARN MORE ABOUT EMILY’S STORY -> click the link in our bio. #TBT #bestswines
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#aussiewinefamily #astepbackintime #winehistory #greatwestern #winegenerations #australianwinehistory #australianwine
MELBOURNE | ONE NIGHT ONLY
Join Hamish Thomson and the team from templestowe_cellars for a special wine dinner at Fountains Restaurant in Box Hill featuring the best of Best’s Wines. An unforgettable evening awaits.
WHEN: Monday 19 June, 7-10pm
PRICE: $95 per person
WHERE: Fountains Restaurant, Box Hill TAFE.
LEARN MORE -> click the link in our bio. #BestsWines
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#winedinner #melbourne #winedinner #bestwestern #grampians #shiraz #winterdinner
#GreatWesternWineTasting #WineTastingAdventure #BestsWineExperience #BestsWineLovers
Last year we announced the return of Simon Fennell to our winemaking team. Unfortunately, shortly after returning to Best’s, Simon was diagnosed with cancer. He has since undergone surgery and some serious chemotherapy, and we are thrilled to reveal that he is now in remission. However due to the intense treatments, Simon’s palate has been compromised and he doesn’t feel it is right to return to the role of senior winemaker here at Best’s Wines. Please join us in wishing Simon all the best in his continued recovery and future endeavours. #bestswines #winemaker #grampianswine #winevictoria
In the lead up to the release of our 2022 Great Western Chardonnay, Best’s Winemaker, Jacob Parton shares a special preview of what you can expect in this popular wine.
Watch to learn more… #BestsWines
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#greatwestern #chardonnay #visitvictoria #aussiewines #aussiewinefamily #australianwine #grampainswine
Have you heard of a vintage beard? It`s quite common that during vintage time, the men in the winemaking team are so busy they don`t have time to shave in the morning, hence they grow a vintage beard. Here are some of the team during vintage with their stubble. 🧔🏻 #bestswines #vintage2023 #v23
SYNERGIE LAB - C`est un grand plaisir d`annoncer les clients lauréats du Concours Vinalies Occitanie !! 🍇🍷👏👏
Domaine Vaquer
🥈AOP Côtes du Roussillon Villages les Aspres rouge 2020 "Cuvée 30 ans"
Vignobles Terrassous
🥇AOP Côtes du Roussillon rouge 2022 "Château Mossé"
Chateau de PENA
🥈IGP Côtes Catalanes rouge 2022 "Ninet de Pena"
🥇AOP Côtes du Roussillon rosé 2022 "Thérapie de groupe"
N`hésitez pas à aller consulter le palmarès via le lien suivant : https://cgvlr.oenologuesdefrance.fr/fr/resultats/palmares
#concoursvin #trophywine #occitanie #vinaliesoccitanie #vinalies #pyreneesorientales #meilleursvins #bestswines #domainevaquer #vignoblesterrassous #chateaudepena