Fortify yourself with a wine and chocolate experience

Wine and chocolate can be a gourmet match made in heaven. 

Following in the footsteps of Hahndorf Hill in the Adelaide Hills, McLaren Vale winery Woodstock has launched a collaboration with local icon Haigh’s Chocolates - a matched fortified wine and chocolate tasting experience. 

The two South Australian family-owned businesses have collaborated to create a new sweet treat - part of South Australia’s Great State Voucher campaign, one that marries four fortified wines from Woodstock Wine’s family cellar with four specially selected Haigh’s chocolates. 

The experience has been dubbed Sticky Fingers at Woodstock!

“Woodstock has a proud tradition of after-dinner wines which spans over 70 years, which all began with my grandfather, Doug Collett,” says third-generation winemaker at Woodstock, Peter Collett.

“Three generations on and we’re still making, blending and caretaking these delicious fortified wines - some of which are over 50 years old. They tell a historic tale.

“Before table wine, Australian winemakers were dedicated to the production of world-class fortifieds. We want to bring back the celebration of this craft and share some of our cellar treasures.

“Doug believed in using old whiskey and bourbon barrels for fortified maturation in order to let the wines age naturally without any oak flavour integration. Using old oak barrels lets the wine breathe and slowly oxidise, causing evaporation and concentration to occur. This develops the young fruity flavours such as raisins and sultanas into sticky caramel-like secondary flavours, creating an exceptional length and richness in our wines - something we strive for in our fortified production.

“We wanted to find a way to help people rediscover the enjoyment of fortified wine - to learn about the extensive winemaking and maturation process and of course the sensory experience.

“Haigh’s Chocolates were the perfect partner when we sought accompaniments to elevate the experience - their quality and variety is exceptional, augmenting the tasting experience and even highlighting complex sensory components in the fortified wines."

The tasting experience is available at Woodstock Wine’s cellar door and tickets are redeemable through the Great State Voucher round 8, with a standard $100 voucher covering a Sticky Fingers session for two people. 

Those who missed out on a Great State Voucher are still able to book in via woodstockwine.com.au or (08) 8383 0156. Tickets are $50 per person and include a bottle of fortified wine to take home.