Ryan Trares | Daily Journal
During the frigid central Indiana winters, it can be difficult to find respite from the blustery cold.
But Mallow Run Winery has put together a combination that can warm even the chilliest day — wine and soup.
The tangy zest of tomato basil, the creamy goodness of broccoli cheddar, the comfort of chicken dumplings — the flavors serve as a defense against the cold just as effective as a fleecy blanket. Pair it with a good glass of wine and tunes from local musicians, and you have the recipe for a cozy weekend.
The Bargersville winery’s Winter Warm Up Weekends have become a Johnson County tradition during the coldest time of the year. Each weekend features a different soup and live music by regional artists, while people pack into the winery’s historic tasting room or enclosed patio.
During a time of year when it can be tough to find reasons to leave the house, Winter Warm Up Weekends are an opportunity to enjoy Mallow Run’s offerings even when the weather is nasty.
“It’s been a great way to get people out of the house, away from the winter blues, and stay relaxed while enjoying themselves outside of their home,” said Hayley Parnell, marketing director and events coordinator for Mallow Run Winery. “These weekends really are something we take pride in.”
Pairing up soups with wine has been on Mallow Run’s menu since 2005. The winery opened its doors in the fall that year, when people could still sip out on the patio in addition to their tasting room in the restored 1870s barn.
Mallow Run owners wanted something to keep people interested and carry momentum through the winter months. Co-owner Laura Richardson came up with an idea: soup. Informally serving soup on the weekends proved to be a great way for people to come out to the winery even when snow and ice covered the ground.
The more customers who came, the more that Mallow Run expanded on the idea.
Starting around 2010, the winery gave the soup weekends a formal name — Winter Warm Ups — and scheduled it as a series for every weekend January through March.
“We have our concert series in the summer, which is fun for everyone to get out when it’s nice. But around the wintertime, you don’t see other wineries really open, because you can’t have those concerts outside,” Parnell said. “Once we had the option of our heated patio, it took off.”
People flock to Mallow Run for its country ambiance, and for its wide variety of wines. But in the winter, the draw is the soup. Every weekend brings a different variety: creamy chicken and rice or broccoli cheddar.
Over the years, winery planners have honed their menu to include the favorites that people come back year after year for, such as the roasted tomato bisque or Grandma’s Chicken & Dumplings.
“We’ve done some similar soups year to year, but we like to bring in some new recipes every once in a while,” Parnell said. “The main focus is just making sure that whatever we’re serving gives a very comfy, cozy feeling to our customers, so we try to do things that remind them of home cooking.”
Meals include homemade bread along with the soup. Diners can pair them with a glass of Mallow Run’s dry Traminette, sparkling Catawba or Fusion red blend, among the winery’s approximately 20 offerings.
Rounding out the meals are performances by some of the winery’s favorite musicians. Each Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m., musicians such as Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine, Exit 99 and Davis & Devitt create a soothing background that helps amplify the cozy atmosphere.
“We definitely have some new bands and solo artists performing this year,” Parnell said.
The Winter Warm Up Weekends continue through the end of March, when thoughts turn to the oncoming spring and summer months.
If Mallow Run can help people get through what seems like the longest part of the year, that’s something they want to do, Parnell said. And it’s a boon for the winery staff, as well.
“It’s a mood-booster for a lot of us. We’ve definitely had those times, especially during COVID, where we couldn’t have these events, and it was very slow,” Parnell said. “Getting to see all of our regulars’ faces, all of the new faces that come out, it’s a great way to have fulfillment.”
IF YOU GO
Winter Warm-up Weekends
Where: Mallow Run Winery, 6964 W. Whiteland Road, Bargersville
What: A series of musical concerts and special soup pairings to go with Mallow Run’s full slate of wines.
When: Noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through March 27.
Music: Performers play from 2 to 5 p.m. each weekend day.
January soup and entertainment schedule
Jan. 7-8: Creamy chicken and wild rice; Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine Jan. 7, Chicken Bone Jan. 8
Jan. 14-15: Roasted tomato bisque; Exit 99 Jan. 14, performing to be determined Jan. 15
Jan. 21-22: Grandma’s Chicken and Dumplings; Davis & Devitt Jan. 21, Jamie Nichole Jan. 22
Jan. 28-29: Broccoli cheddar; Anneliese and Ali Jan. 28, Sisters Brew Jan. 29
Schedule will be updated for February and March.
Information: MallowRun.com
