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Upcoming Events
At Best’s Wines historic cellar door in Great Western we host a variety of events throughout the year. We offer live music, art exhibitions, guided tastings with the Thomson Family and wine blending sessions.
Local food and wine pairing events and even virtual wine masterclasses and tastings. Plus we also attend offsite tastings, wine dinners and pop-up tastings at wine festivals and markets. Scroll down to see our upcoming events.
Stables till 8pm
We’re staying up late…
Best’s Stables cellar door will stay open until 8pm on Friday June 5th
Settle in with a glass of your favourite Best’s wine and enjoy our updated pick a platter menu!
We are thrilled to offer you a trio of toasties created with Blue Wren Bakery bread and expertly prepared by Jody and Co Catering.
Please meet the Reuben, the Roast Veg and the Ham and Cheese. Available here at Best’s Wines cellar door.
Stables till 8pm
We’re staying up late… Friday nights till 8pm
Best’s Stables cellar door will stay open until 8pm on Friday June 19th
Settle in with a glass of your favourite Best’s wine and enjoy our updated pick a platter menu!
We are thrilled to offer you a trio of toasties created with Blue Wren Bakery sourdough bread and expertly prepared by Jody and Co Catering.
Please meet the Reuben, the Roast Veg and the Ham and Cheese. Available here at Best’s Wines cellar door.
Kings Birthday Long Weekend 2026
Reserve your Long Weekend Tasting experience.
BOOKINGS ARE WELCOME
We love a long weekend at our cellar door, and we have created a tasting experience that features wines from across all our ranges so that our guests, really can experience it all. Book in for a ‘Long Weekend Tasting Experience’ and sample wines from across all our ranges.
Our Pick a Platter cheese boards will be available throughout the weekend. Remember if you are travelling with children or adults not intending to drink, please specify this in the booking notes so we can seat you appropriately. Booking take priority over walk ins.
Cost: $10 or $15 wine tasting, Pick a Platter from $10-$70 depending on selection.
- Saturday 6th June Open 10am – 5pm Long Weekend Tastings + Platters
- Sunday 7th June Open 11am – 4pm Long Weekend tastings + Platters
- KINGS BIRTHDAY Monday 8th June open 11am – 4pm Long Weekend tastings + Platters
Staying locally? browse some accommodation options.
Barwon Edge x Best's Wines
The Thomson family, who have owned the winery since 1920, continue to uphold the tradition of producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique Great Western terroir.
Your host for the evening, Hamish Thomson, is a fifth-generation vigneron at Best’s Great Western. Hamish, like all of his family, has been involved in his family’s winery since early childhood.
Hamish has worked in every area of the business before settling into a role in sales and marketing. He is now the Regional Sales Manager and Brand Ambassador.
Indulge in a curated selection of Best’s Wines, renowned for their elegance and structure. Highlights include a vertical tasting of the iconic Bin No. 1 Shiraz, offering a taste of Great Western in every sip.
Savor a delectable multi-course menu, each dish thoughtfully paired to complement the nuanced profiles of the wines, enhancing your culinary experience.
This exclusive event offers more than just a meal; it’s a journey through time, celebrating the history of one of the world’s oldest vines and Australia’s oldest wine making families.
COST: $139 per person
Red Series Ballarat
Join us for a fun filled wine tasting adventure at the historic Mining exchange in Ballarat, where the rich flavours of the Grampians and Pyrenees wine regions come together for one unforgettable weekend!
Meet passionate winemakers, sample award-winning reds (and a few whites too!), and discover the unique terroir that makes these regions some of Victoria’s finest. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or just love a great glass of wine, the Red Series offers a relaxed, festive atmosphere with live music, delicious local food, and the best wines the west has to offer.
We are thrilled to announce that Ballarat will once again play host to the highly anticipated Red Series event. Taking place on the 17th and 18th of July 2026, the Red Series will be held at the historic Mining Exchange building, conveniently located just a short walk from Ballarat’s train station. The venue offers an ambient heated indoor space that perfectly complements the warm and inviting atmosphere of the event.
Session one: Friday 17th July 2026 – 5pm to 8pm
Session two: Saturday 18th July 2026 – 1pm – 4pm
Session three: Saturday 18th July 2026 – 5pm – 8pm
Celebrate Old Vine Day with Best's Museum Wine Night - August
Did you know that August the 1st is ‘Old Vine Day’? Mark this year’s occasion with our Museum wine night a unique and special opportunity to sample rare back vintage wines. The ticket includes entry and 5 tastings before deciding on a favourite and settling in with a glass.
We have ‘raided’ the cellar and can reveal we will be opening 1999 FHT (Frederick Hamill Thomson) Shiraz, 2001 Thomson Family Shiraz, 1992 Rhine Riesling, 1981 Pinot Meunier and the 13 Acre Cabernet from 2013.
Not a big wine drinker but keen to come along? Book a non-tasting entry ticket.
Best’s Museum Wine Night
When: Saturday August 1st
Where: Best’s Wines Cellar Door, 111 Bests Road, Great Western, Victoria
Time: 6.00-9.00 pm
Cost: Entry Ticket $60 which includes 5 tastings from the Museum Wine List and a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival
OR $10 non-tasting ticket which includes a complimentary glass of wine from our Great Western range, soft drink or beer.
Pick a Platter from $10-$70 (depending on selection)
Museum Wines by the glass from $15-$50
Additional Museum Tastings: $5 ea
Staying in the area? Discover accommodation options in and around Great Western
Stables Dinner - August
Join us for dinner!
Hosted by our friendly Cellar Door team, the Stables dinner offers a chance to share good food, fine wine and stories from the heart of Best’s Great Western. Members of the Thomson family often drop by to welcome guests when they’re around.
Chef Douglas Kerr from Peasant Ballarat is pairing up with Best’s Wines for two Stables dinner events. With just 20 seats on our long table, this intimate wine and dining event offers a memorable culinary journey.
We are very pleased to offer a number of non-drinking ticket options for guests to join us for dinner.
For any dietary concerns please contact Jess at our Cellar door (03)5356 2250
Stay for dinner and the weekend? Browse some Great Western accommodation options on our blog
Inquire about the Great Western Pick up / Drop off service.
Places limited to 20 seats
Stables Dinner - November
Join us for dinner!
Hosted by our friendly Cellar Door team, the Stables dinner offers a chance to share good food, fine wine and stories from the heart of Best’s Great Western. Members of the Thomson family often drop by to welcome guests when they’re around.
Chef Douglas Kerr from Peasant Ballarat is pairing up with Best’s Wines for two Stables dinner events. With just 20 seats on our long table, this intimate wine and dining event offers a memorable culinary journey.
We are very pleased to offer a number of non-drinking ticket options for guests to join us for dinner.
For any dietary concerns please contact Jess at our Cellar door (03)5356 2250
Stay for dinner and the weekend? Browse some Great Western accommodation options on our blog
Inquire about the Great Western Pick up / Drop off service.
Places limited to 20 seats
Feeling Social?
Follow us on Facebook or Instagram and view one of our tasting videos of a new release wine. Subscribe to the Thomson Times monthly newsletter for the latest news on all upcoming new releases, special offers and events, at our cellar door, online and on the road.
Get in touch and ask a question and our team will do their best to answer them.
Stay in touch
We have a monthly newsletter and quarterly events update, The Thomson Times, to help everyone stay connected. Sign up and keep up to date on upcoming wine releases and winery events. You don’t want to miss out!