Fresh flavours, next level desserts and meals showcasing the best in local produce.

You’ve got Serafino Wines new Spring Menu.

Last week I was lucky enough to join some fellow foodies at Serafino’s new spring menu launch, and what a cracker it was. For those who haven’t been to Serafino Wines, you’ll find it in the heart of McLaren Vale, offering a cellar door, restaurant, function facilities and accommodation. Talk about a quadruple threat!

The winery is nestled on some stunning grounds- think lush lawns, a lake and plenty of huge gum trees with festoon lighting strung between the branches. Inside is just as gorgeous, offering a spacious dining area and one very cool looking cellar.

But back to the food.

This winery loves local, and uses a variety of local and South Australian grown produce and meats in their dishes- now that’s a way to win this girls heart.

We kicked off the night with wine of course- I tried their 2014 Serafino Bellissimo Nebbiolo and Pinot Grigio and it was love at first sip. The Pinot Grigio is a very easy to drink wine and will be perfect for the warmer months. Our first course consisted of a selection of Smallgoods and Stracciatella served with smoked eggplant, pomegranate and crostini. The smallgoods were a personal favourite as I’m a sucker for smoked meats. The plate was filled to the brim with local, imported and house made smallgoods with a hefty side of grilled bread- perfection. The eggplant dish was rather tasty, and the pomegranate really made the dish pop.

Next up was the Nomad Farm Chicken, Pork and Walnut Terrine, served with pickled pear and gorgonzola and the Harissa Roasted Baby Carrots with saffron and caraway labneh, brik pastry and sticky raisins. Now I’m not usually one for terrine, but I gave it a go and my god I’m glad I did. It was so meaty and full of flavour, and pared perfectly with the cheese.

The harissa carrots were easily one of my standout dishes from the night- the crunch of the pastry was perfection and I could eat that labneh all day.

For mains we grazed on a Slow Roasted Lamb Shoulder served with green tomato, almond and spring salad tabouli and buttermilk, as well as the Pan Seared Duck Breast with confit leg croquette, pistachio, orange and goats cheese.

The lamb shoulder absolutely melted in my mouth, and the salad served with it was a refreshing little addition. The duck was a hit around the table- the croquettes being a standout, with their crunchy outside and tasty as hell filling.

Those who know me well know that I have quite the sweet tooth and could eat dessert for dinner most days. So when I saw the desserts come out of the kitchen I got oh-so-excited!

Between the group of us we tasted their new spring desserts. The white chocolate parfait with blood orange sorbet and meringue was as beautiful as it was tasty (and consensus around the table was it was favourite), the Chocolate Brownie with torch banana and salted caramel ice-cream was rich and so very chocolatey (definitely one to share), the Spiced Apple Crumble with rhubarb, lemon cream and gingerbread reminded me of Christmas and was full of crunchy apple and loads of spices, and last up was the Vanilla Bean Brulee with poached figs, vanilla and cognac icecream- an absolute treat and one you won’t want to share!

If you’re looking for somewhere to dine this Spring that has equally as delicious wines as they do food then check of Serafino’s new menu- we are already clearing our diaries so we can spend a long lunch here in the coming months.

You can find Serafino Wines at 39 Kangarilla Road, Mclaren Vale.

***I was invited to Serafino Wines to try their new Spring menu. Even though I was invited, opinions still remain honest and my own, and my gosh I would eat the food there 10 times over.***