If you haven’t visited Harry’s Deli at Wirra Wirra in the heart of McLaren Vale yet, or if it’s been a while since your last visit, you need to go. Now.
I have been a huge fan of Wirra Wirra for years & been there many times with and without kids and honestly, their offerings keep getting better & better! I was lucky enough to enjoy a mid week lunch at Harry’s Deli with a friend & the kids in tow recently. Usually going out for lunch with kids is a nightmare, but the team at Harry’s Deli made it so enjoyable & stress-free.
Let’s start with how kid friendly they are. Often “wineries” & “kid friendly” aren’t two words that go together but Wirra Wirra have nailed it. The first thing the kids noticed were the lawn games set up in front of the Tasting Room. Giant Jenga, noughts & crosses, Connect Four, quoits & more are perfectly positioned to keep the little ones entertained while parents partake in a tasting or wait for their food to arrive. Within two minutes of us sitting down at our table, the fabulous staff also brought over colouring sheets & pencils for the kids. Between the lawn games & colouring the kids were SET, meaning my friend & I could actually have a conversation & enjoy our wine.
Speaking of wine…. Wirra Wirra has something for all tastes, but if you aren’t sure their staff will happily recommend something. The 2021 Lost Watch Riesling was suggested to us & it did not disappoint!
Now….food! The team at Harry’s Deli have upped the ante again & made it super easy to browse the menu, order & pay using their QR ordering system. No lining up to order hoping that the kids aren’t knocking over their drinks while you’re gone. Just tap away & you’re done. The menu is brilliant. It’s the perfect blend of casual & fancy. Local produce shines throughout. Our kids opted for a ham & cheese toastie & the pasta, which was brought out extremely quickly & devoured even faster! Us adults ordered the Moroccan Chicken Salad & the Sticky Beef Noodle Salad….can I just say that the beef may have been the most tender, melt in your mouth beef I have ever had. YUM. If you want something light, you can also check out the range of paninis or the breakfast menu (available on weekends).
There is always room for dessert, right? The Sunshine Ice Blocks were a winner with the kids – the hardest decision was which flavour to choose. For the big kids, there are delicious cakes, slices & raw treats to choose from. I can’t go past a brownie & have had my fair share over the years….this brownie was right up there with the best I’ve ever had. Gooey, & tasty, there was NO WAY I was sharing this one with the kids.
To finish our visit, the staff were kind enough to let the kids ring the 3/4 tonne Angelus bell – this is something that is part of some of the tours & behind the scenes experiences. The kids loved it – I mean, it makes a LOT of noise so of course the kids loved it!! Wirra Wirra & Harry’s Deli run some great special events as well, especially over summer & school holidays so keep an eye on their Facebook page & website for details.
On your way out, make sure you take the kids for a walk down the jetty which overlooks the vineyards. It’s completely enclosed & is a great view of the ever changing vines. Harry’s Deli & the Wirra Wirra team really have thought of everything when it comes to dining out with kids. Games, delicious food & lovely staff, it’s a great go-to for any family outing or catch up with friends.
Harry’s Deli, Wirra Wirra
255 Strout Road, McLaren Vale
wirrawirra.com
Facebook @WirraWirraWines
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 10am – 4pm | Saturday 8am – 4pm | Sunday & Public Holidays 9am – 4pm
(Closed Christmas Day & Good Friday)
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