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Welcome Back Simon Fennell

Get to know our newly appointed Winemaker, Simon Fennell. A familiar name to some of you, Simon was previously our Assistant Winemaker from 2012-2016 and has re-joined us under the leadership of Managing Director, Ben Thomson. We’re thrilled to have him back in the family fold again.

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Young Thomson boy looking at bottles of wine

The Thomson Family

Read about the rich history of the Thomson family from William Thomson’s arrival in Australia in 1876 to Ben Thomson, who is today Managing Director and Vineyard Manager for Best’s.

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The Best Family

Learn about the history of the Best family and Great Western from Viv Thomson.

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100 Years of the Thomson Family

The Australian wine industry is rich in family histories that weave together to create a unique story about Australian wine. There are many family-owned wineries that remain in family hands, with the fourth, fifth or even sixth generations.

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We Raise a Glass to our treasured Chris Thomson

There’s an old saying that “behind every great man is a great woman” and that’s certainly the case with Viv and Chris Thomson. In the 100th year that the Thomson family has been custodians of Best’s wines, we thought it was time to ‘raise a glass’ to our treasured Chris. She’s very much the fabric of our winery and the local Great Western community.

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Winemaker Justin Purser Celebrates 10 Years with Best’s Wines

In the long history of Best’s, only six non-family members have served as our winemaker. All others have been either a Thomson or a Best. So, it’s a significant milestone for one of these few, our current winemaker Justin Purser, to celebrate 10 years’ tenure.

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Viv Thomson awarded Victorian Legend of the Vine 2017

On Friday 20 October, 2017, Best’s patriarch Eric Vivian Thomson, known as Viv Thomson among his wine industry peers and his family and friends, was announced Legend of the Vine, Victoria, at the annual WCA Royal Melbourne Wine Show Awards Lunch. Viv received his Legend of the Vine status for his service to the wine industry as one of Australia’s longest serving winemakers.

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Cellar Door Project Shiraz

The question was asked, “How Do Grapes Get Into The Bottle?” The Cellar Door staff where then involved with the hands on task of making a wine from start to finish.

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five former Best’s winemakers, Best’s patriarch Viv Thomson OAM and current Best’s winemaker Justin Purser

Best’s 150th Anniversary Tasting

Best’s former winemakers recently gathered to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Best’s Great Western. Here’s the overview of the event and the wines that were tasted.

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Best’s Patriarch Viv Thomson receives OAM in Queen’s Birthday Honours

“While I’m honoured to receive the award, my wife and long-suffering family have been great contributors to the success of the business and my own endeavours. You don’t win these awards on your own. All our achievements have been a joint effort.”

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2013 Spring Release Wine Club Dinner

On Tuesday 15 October 2013, our Victorian Concongella Wine Club members met at Pope Joan in Melbourne to celebrate our 2013 Spring Release wines.

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Making white wine from Shiraz… it can be done: Viv Thomson’s tribute to Trevor Mast

It was with much sadness that we lost a great friend earlier in the month with the passing of Trevor Mast. Trevor was the first winemaker employed by Best’s in 1975 and a big part in building the reputation of Shiraz from the Grampians on a global scale.

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