Although this winter has been long, cold, and unseasonably wet… spring has been quietly manifesting around us for some weeks now. The scent of wattle and jonquils lingering in the air is a tell-tale sign that warmer days are just around the corner. Perhaps you’ve noticed a few sprigs of fresh growth in your garden, or that each evening we’re being treated to a few extra minutes of sunshine.

As August draws to a close and we gear up to welcome warmer weather, we can look forward to getting outdoors a little more often… soaking up the sun, maybe a picnic at the botanic gardens… the more foolhardy among us may even brave the surf.

At Witches Falls, warmer weather and longer days means the return of Sunset Sips! For those unaware, each spring we extend our opening hours of a weekend so that visitors can indulge in an evening beverage. While historically Sunset Sips have been held every Friday evening, this season our doors will be open until 7pm on both Friday and Saturday until the end of summer!

Join us this weekend for the first Sunset Sips of the season! It’s the perfect excuse to catch up with friends for a pre-dinner drink and nibbles. What’s more, our first Saturday Sunset Sips will be celebrated with an Oyster Night—check out our website for more details!

If you can’t make it to Sunset Sips—fear not. We’ve pulled together a few recommendations of varieties absolutely perfect for spring sipping. Keep these in mind to level up your evening drinks game at home.

When the nights still hold a little chill in the air, a red wine will warm from the inside out. Lambrusco is perfect for spring because it tends to be medium-bodied, fruit forward, and is often (but not always) made in a semi-sparkling style. It is often avoided due to its reputation for being a cheap, soft-drink-adjacent boxed wine in years gone by. Today however, many winemakers are producing Lambrusco in a more traditional Italian style. Most Lambrusco on the market today is dry, textural, and multi-dimensional, often displaying beautiful notes of blackberry, violet, and spices. What’s not to love?

Orange wine is another Spring go-to. Think of it as the cool aunt of rosé. Orange wine is not made from oranges but has a beautiful golden-amber colour that arises from extended grape-skin contact. Orange wine can be made from any white wine grape and tends to display notes of citrus-blossom, honey, peaches, and marmalade!

When it comes to white wine, I’ve been loving Arinto. This zesty, citrusy white is made for long lunches and pairs beautifully with seafood, salads, and grilled spring vegetables. Perfectly crisp and bright, Arinto will cool you down on a warm day without sacrificing complexity of flavour— alongside citrus and stone fruit, this variety often displays subtle notes of honey, herbs, white flowers, and pear.

Happy Sipping!
Alexandra Douglas and the Witches Falls Winery Team