The Blending Bench & Degustation
Interactive experience and tastebud indulgence
The d’Arenberg Cube is a five-storey multi-function building set among Mourvèdre vines. The building has the optical illusion of floating in a vineyard, each level with spectacular views overlooking the rolling hills of the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges. Inside you’ll find a cellar door, a casual dining restaurant and numerous artworks and features throughout, curated by chief winemaker and 4th generation family member, Chester Osborn.
10:30 am
Your experience begins on Level 4, the highest viewpoint in McLaren Vale. The Blending Bench is a hands-on, interactive experience where you play winemaker. A palette of wine parcels, each with distinctive flavours and textures, is melded in search of balance, fullness and finesse. We did the physical work – picking, crushing, fermenting, foot treading, basket pressing and barrel ageing, and you get to create a truly unique wine. You then bottle, name and label a 750mL sample to take home and show off to your friends.
12:00 pm
Following your blending session, indulge your tastebuds at an 8-course degustation in d’Arry’s Verandah Restaurant, overlooking the rolling hills of McLaren Vale. This is our very favourite way of eating and our homage, if you like, to the old adage “variety is the spice of life”. The resultant combination of flavours and textures created between the food & wine pairings makes for an experience that will linger.
At your leisure, continue to further explore the d’Arenberg Cube, making your way through the various levels including the Alternate Realities Museum on the ground floor, where a self-guided exploration will take you through a space filled with wall-to-wall art installations designed to excite and awaken your senses. Original bronze sculptures and graphic artworks from the surrealist master, and titan of modern art Salvador Dali. Historically displayed in the great cities of the world. This multi-million-dollar exhibition is on loan from the Dali Universe in Switzerland.
Location
d'Arenberg Cellar Door, Osborn Rd, McLaren Vale, SA
When
Daily at 10:30am
Cost
$370 per person
Includes: entry to the d’Arenberg Cube Alternate Realities Museum, wine blending class, sample bottle of your blend, 8 course degustation at d’Arry’s Verandah with signature lobster dish & matching wines
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