Taste the Future:
Wines from Sustainable Roots

At Best’s Great Western, we believe that the beauty and flavour of our wines are inseparable from the natural environment that nurtures them. As custodians of the land, we are deeply committed to sustainable practices that not only preserve the pristine beauty and history of our vineyards but also ensure a vibrant and healthy ecosystem for future generations.

For over 150 years, we have been crafting exceptional wines in the heart of the Great Western sub region in the Grampians wine region in Victoria, Australia. Our long-standing dedication to quality and respect for the land has shaped our approach to sustainability. We understand that true excellence in wine making requires an unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

On this page, we invite you to explore the various initiatives and practices we have implemented on our sustainability journey to minimise our environmental footprint and enhance biodiversity. From vineyard management techniques to energy efficiency measures, to water conservation and waste reduction strategies, we are continuously striving to raise the bar and lead the way towards a more sustainable future.

Join us on this journey as we share our sustainability achievements, ongoing projects, and aspirations for the future. Together, we can raise a glass to not only outstanding wines but also a flourishing planet and thriving communities.

Solar Power:

We’ve taken a giant leap towards renewable energy by installing over 900 solar panels across our Concongella and Sugarloaf Creek vineyard locations. We’re also eagerly awaiting the arrival of a large storage battery that will power up to 90% of our winery.

Recycling Initiatives:

We’ve introduced soft plastic recycling for all pallet wraps and are finding innovative ways to recycle branded cartons by reusing them with new vintages or transforming them into a cardboard “bubble wrap” alternative for shipping wine.

Water Conservation:

Our Sugarloaf Creek vineyard benefits from recycled water via the pipeline from Ararat, ensuring responsible water use during the hot summer months. Additionally, our new targeted spray program has significantly reduced chemical and water usage and diesel consumption.

Natural Land Management:

We’re working with nature by incorporating wild grasses into our vineyard management practices retaining soil moisture naturally, reducing the need for soil stripping and mulching.

Electric Forklifts:

Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels, we’ve acquired one electric forklift and plan to purchase a second one.

Sustainable Winegrowing Australia:

The Australian Wine industry has a commitment of net zero emissions by 2050, which is a commendable target, but how will we get there?

At Best’s Wines, for over 150 years, we’ve always viewed sustainability holistically, making decisions that are good for the environment. Our healthy, original 1868 plantings are a testament to our care of the land and environment within which they thrive. However, to help achieve the goal for the Wine Industry and along with many other Australian wineries and grape growers we’re stepping up our efforts to go green with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification. This industry-led program ensures that best practices are followed and knowledge is shared. With over 1,000 members, including 583 certified ones, the wine industry here in Australia is taking a bold step towards a sustainable future. This initiative is a collaboration between Wine Australia, the Australian Wine Research Institute and Australian Grape and Wine. The aim is for Australian wine to be recognised as world-class in terms of sustainability and to showcase our environmental, social and governance (ESG) credentials globally. Best’s Wines is currently working towards certification. While we have always strived to find more sustainable practices, this industry-first trust mark is backed by a rigorous third-party certification process managed by Freshcare. It evaluates our water usage, biodiversity, energy consumption, waste management, and land and soil conservation just to name a few.

We’ll need to report on all aspects of the business biodiversity, waste output (from water to paper), resources usage, business management and much more, which is incredibly involved.

We’ll keep you updated on our sustainability journey! Cheers to sustainability, quality and a brighter future!

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