General News
23 August, 2024
Iconic Best's Wines cellar door celebrates 50-Year milestone
Best's Wines' legendary cellar door marks 50 years.
Great Western
Like a vintage Pinot Meunier, Best's Wines' latest milestone is a product of patience and maturity.
On August 26, 2024, the Great Western winery will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its iconic cellar door, a space steeped in history and tradition.
Originally built as Henry Best's horse stables in the 1870s, the cellar door was meticulously relocated, plank by plank, to its current location at the front of the winery in 1974.
Since then, it has become a cornerstone of the Grampians wine experience, welcoming visitors seven days a week for wine tastings, guided underground cellar tours, and special tastings.
At its opening, the concept of a cellar door was unfamiliar to many, with only a handful of wineries in Victoria.
However, the Thomson family, who own and operate Best's Wines, recognised the need for a dedicated space to share their wines and connect directly with the public.
The stables provided the perfect solution, offering an authentic, historic setting close to the winery and the original underground cellars dug by hand in the 1870s.
Ben Thomson, managing director, reflected on the significance of the anniversary.
"This 50-year milestone further cements the longevity of the Best's brand," he said.
"People walk through the door and are immediately taken by the history and the story.
"Many have heard about the cellar door, but until you've visited, it's hard to visualise how special this place is; it's not shiny but oozes character, and the people who work here take great pride in sharing our stories with customers."
The cellar door retains much of its original charm, with some of founder Henry Best's possessions and the tasting bench, made from the same timber as the stables, still on display.
Ben and his brother Hamish, who grew up on the property, are part of the fifth-generation Thomson family members linked to the winery.
The siblings fondly recall the old stables flanked by a peppercorn tree where their Dad, Viv Thomson built them a treehouse.
They also remember creating some mischief during the relocation project.
Each plank of the stables was numbered and taken apart piece by piece for careful reconstruction; the brothers thought it would be funny to rub off some chalk markings.
Consequently, some of the beams did not fit together when relocated.
The venue remains a testament to the Thomson family's dedication to preserving their heritage despite the challenges and changes.
It continues to be a humble, welcoming space where visitors can taste the wines and hear the stories that make Best's Wines a beloved name in the region.
At its opening, the concept of a cellar door was unfamiliar to many, with only a handful of wineries in Victoria.