More than 20,000 votes came in during the first year. Ampersand Estate’s Pinot Noir took the crown. And now Top Up Wines is back, asking WA wine lovers to do it all over again.
Voting is open at topupwines.com, with wineries from across the state competing to land a spot in the Top Up Wines Top 100 — and ultimately, to be named Western Australia’s favourite wine. No judges, no panels, no points system. It’s all voted on by people like you, picking what you actually drink and enjoy on the weekly (or daily).
Founder Jamie Burnett started Top Up as a direct alternative to the traditional wine competition format. “Instead of a wine judge telling you what you should like, it’s over to the people to share what they love,” he says. “Whether it’s the mid-week bottle with dinner, the special occasion wine or a hidden gem winery you find on holiday, we want to know from WA wine lovers.”
What last year’s vote revealed
The inaugural vote revealed some interesting data on where WA wine drinkers actually live and what they spend. Churchlands, Bicton, Duncraig, Atwell, and Bibra Lake were the highest-voting Perth suburbs — a mix of inner and outer city suburbs that suggest the vote cut across the city fairly broadly.
Chardonnay came out on top as the most voted style, ahead of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Pinot Noir. Bottles in the $30.00 to $49.00 range attracted the most votes, and Margaret River, Great Southern, and Pemberton were the regions getting the most love.
Burnett says the flow-on effects for wineries were tangible. “Hands down the best thing about last year was speaking to wineries who told me that the vote and results led to increased sales and drove cellar door visits.”
What’s on offer for voters
Beyond bragging rights, there are prizes. One voter will win the $10,000 Top Up Ultimate Wine Getaway. It’s two nights for four people at Ampersand Estate’s Homestead Residence, plus exclusive wine experiences and tastings. Runners-up can take home wine for a year, along with 12-month gym memberships to Revo Fitness.The Top 100 will be revealed at the Top Up Wines Top 100 Party on Thursday, May 21st, at Urban Winery Freo. Tickets are available through the Top Up Wines website.
