Step into the rustic and charming cellar door of Shingleback Wines in McLaren Vale this winter for a unique experience called “Warmed by the Fire”. From July to September, wine lovers are invited to explore the art and history of warmed wines – the traditional winter elixir.
Guests will enjoy tastings of these special wines, paired with winter grazing platters. Plus, take home recipes and expert tips on using spices will help you recreate the cozy, comforting warmth of mulled wine in your own kitchen.
Warm wines, often mulled and spiced, have a rich history dating back to Roman times. In those days, spices and fruits were added to wine not only for flavour, but also to keep it fresh during transport. Over centuries, this practice became a popular tradition across many cultures, particularly during colder months.
During “Warmed by the Fire”, guests are welcomed to gather beside a cozy, crackling fireplace, creating the perfect setting for an intimate discovery into warm wines. Bruce Gordon, Shingleback Wines’ Cellar Door Manager, will guide attendees on a journey through the origins and history of these unique wines.
“We start with an explanation about the history, talking about different cultures and the cultural context which these wines are enjoyed in,” Bruce Gordon says.
“They are often very specific to certain celebrations, or certain times of the year.”
During the event, guests will have the opportunity to taste a variety of warm wines, including a white wine based on Shingleback’s fiano and several reds predominantly made from Grenache. The choice of wines is deliberate so that lighter, fresher varieties compliment the wine warming process.
“The key, of course, is that you don’t want anything too heavily tannic or too savoury,” Bruce says.
“You want fresher, lighter style wines, because as you warm wine, those savoury flavours get much more obvious and can start to dominate the wine.
“Imagine those bottles of red on a 40 degree Christmas Day… they can get kind of overwhelming at times.”
Accompanying the wine tastings are delightful winter grazing platters showcasing McLaren Vale’s finest local produce. Think cheeses, pates, nuts, and dried fruits – all the best stuff you’d find on the perfect grazing board.
“We give them [guests] a chance to try the wines, have a bit of a yarn in front of the fire, with a plate of some of our beautiful McLaren Vale local produce,” Bruce says.
As part of the experience, guests will not only enjoy the pleasure of tasting the wines, but also take home recipes and tips on using spices to recreate the warm wine experience in their own homes. It’s a wonderful opportunity to share the tradition with friends and family, showcasing everything you’ve learn at any gathering.
“It’s the kind of thing where you can have a lovely experience and recreate that experience later that day, or the next week when friends are around. It gives you a chance to show off a little bit,” Bruce says.
“I think that sitting by the fire and warming yourself is just a nice way to spend your time.”
Shingleback’s “Warmed by the Fire” is hosted on the first Saturday of each month from May through September, with upcoming dates including August 3rd and September 7th.
For those seeking a unique winter experience in McLaren Vale, Shingleback Wines “Warmed by the Fire” offers more than just your ordinary mulled wine tasting. It’s an exploration into the history, artistry, and coziness of traditional warm wines, complimented by grazing platters and a crackling fire. Shingleback Wines recommend making bookings in advance to secure a spot because of the intimate setting of the event.
“Warmed by the Fire”, A Shingleback Experience
Where: Shingleback Wine Cellar Door, 3 Stump Hill Rd, McLaren Vale SA 5171
When: Hosted on the first Saturday of the month (upcoming events on August 3rd and September 7th)
Instagram: @shinglebackwine
For more information and to book your spot, click here.
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