Inside Gladstones: A conversation with Crown Perth on WA wine, legacy and the art of slowing down
At Crown Perth, a new wine-led venue is putting Western Australia front and centre. Gladstones is both a tribute and a statement: a space dedicated to the depth, diversity and quiet confidence of the state’s wine story. Named for Dr John Gladstones, whose early research helped shape Margaret River into one of the world’s great wine regions, the venue brings together rare pours, thoughtful flights and a distinctly local perspective. We sat down with Crown Perth CEO Brian Pereira and Food and Beverage Executive General Manager Jason Alcock to talk about what Gladstones adds to Perth’s wine landscape, and why now felt like the right time to tell this story.
What gap did you feel existed in Perth’s wine scene that Gladstones is designed to fill?
Brian Pereira: Gladstones is about showcasing Western Australian wine on the stage it deserves. We’re surrounded by world-class wine, but too often they’re competing for attention. Here, WA wine is the headline act, and you can have a tour of all the wine regions with a winery-style experience, all in one place right in the heart of Perth.
Jason Alcock: Perth has some brilliant wine venues, but there was still space for somewhere that really slows things down. A place where the wine is the conversation, not just something you order while you’re doing something else. We wanted Gladstones to feel considered, but not intimidating, somewhere you can come in for an exceptional vintage that isn’t served by the glass anywhere else. Being in the centre of the city makes the experience accessible to everyone.
Why was Dr John Gladstones the right namesake for this venue, and how deeply does his legacy shape the experience beyond the branding?
Brian Pereira: Dr John Gladstones, in many ways, is who we can thank for the iconic wines this state produces. It was his research in the 1960s that identified Margaret River as having the unique combination of terroir and climate for viticulture. We have been fortunate to spend time with Dr John Gladstones’ family and wanted to make sure the venue lived up to his name. John wasn’t about hype, he was about substance. He changed the trajectory of Australian wine and the entire south-west region by asking the right questions and truly understanding the place. That philosophy resonated with us straight away.
Jason Alcock: And it goes well beyond the name on the door. His belief in regional expression is reflected in how the wine list was developed, how the flights are presented, even how the team speaks about wine with guests. It’s not about telling people what they should like, it’s about helping them understand why a wine tastes the way it does.
The list puts Western Australia at the centre while also bringing in interstate and international bottles. How did you strike that balance?
Jason Alcock: WA absolutely leads the conversation here, that was non-negotiable. But we didn’t want it to feel insular. The interstate and international wines are there to give context, to sit alongside WA and say, “Look how confidently this stands up.” We also have visitors staying with us at Crown Perth from around the world, so we want to ensure Gladstones offers the right drop for every occasion and every taste.
Brian Pereira: Exactly. It’s a dialogue rather than a competition. When you taste a Margaret River Cabernet or a Great Southern Riesling next to something from interstate or overseas, you’re not diminishing either, you’re deepening your understanding of both. It won’t surprise you to learn we are both Western Australians, and we take our wines very seriously.
There is a big emphasis on premium wines by the glass and Coravin pours. How important was accessibility in building the list?
Jason Alcock: Massively important. Some of these wines are benchmarks, wines people read about or talk about but rarely get the chance to taste. Coravin lets us open that door without the pressure of committing to a full bottle or driving a six-hour return journey for the pleasure.
Brian Pereira: It’s a very relaxed kind of luxury. You can sit here before the theatre and have a glass of something truly special. That accessibility was key for us.
The list spans established icons, museum releases, and newer producers. What were you hoping the mix would say about Western Australian wine right now?
Jason Alcock: That it’s confident and curious at the same time. The icons are there because they’ve earned their place, they tell the story of where we’ve come from. But the newer producers show where things are heading.
Brian Pereira: WA wine isn’t static. It’s evolving, experimenting, refining. This list is a snapshot of that moment, respectful of the past, but very much looking forward. We are incredibly grateful to our suppliers and the local industry who have supported the project. WA has so much to offer in terms of variety and complexity.
Wine flights are a major part of the offer. Were they designed more as an educational tool, a hospitality feature, or a way to encourage discovery?
Jason Alcock: All three. The flights are an easy, generous way to give people a full experience without overwhelming them. You don’t need to be a wine expert, you just need to be curious and enjoy a good drop.
Brian Pereira: They also suit the way people actually drink and socialise now. You can share, compare, talk about what you’re tasting. It feels natural and social.
With such a strong focus on Western Australian terroir and regional identity, how do you want guests, especially interstate or international visitors, to leave thinking differently about WA wine?
Brian Pereira: I’d love them to leave thinking, “I didn’t realise WA was this diverse.” The distance between regions here is vast, and the expressions are so distinct, sometimes that gets lost.
Jason Alcock: And hopefully they leave with a few surprises. A grape, a producer, a style they weren’t expecting. If someone walks out wanting to explore WA wine further, whether that’s ordering it back home or planning a trip south, we’ve done our job.
Beyond the wine itself, what kind of atmosphere or ritual were you trying to create at Gladstones, particularly given its location within Crown Perth?
Jason Alcock: We wanted it to feel like a pause. Crown is full of energy, and that’s part of its appeal, but Gladstones is a moment that feels closer to a winery. Soft lighting, comfortable seating, no rush.
Brian Pereira: It’s a place to gather, to talk, to connect. Whether it’s a quiet glass at the bar or a long conversation over a shared bottle, the ritual is about presence. Good wine, good company, and time taken. That’s the real luxury here.