February 10 – Choco Vino and Hahndorf Inn

Four of us arrived early at Hahndorf Hill Winery, Narelle, Carol, Nicki and I, so Dee our lovely hostess took us for the grand tour and I must say the view tube is amazing with beautiful views of the country side surrounded with vine yards and very modern dйcor. After the tour we were still waiting for the stragglers (sorry Heidi, but thank you for still coming after working to 5.30am) so Dee took us through their wine range and we sampled each one – yum yum!

Once Nikki and Heidi had arrived we took our seats at our table in the view tube and our host (not sure of his name but he was a bit of all right and I think I speak for all the ladies. Not sure of his name as I wasn't looking at his name badge – I know Carol checked out his wedding finger which was bare)....any way he explained to us the types of wine we could choose from and how they would be matched to certain chocolates. Personally I'm more of a cheese and wine girl but the dark chocolates tasted superb with their matching wines. We each got given a platter, on it had 3 glasses of wine and next to each glass were the matching chocolate, I think Narelle thought it was a race as she seemed to inhale hers and not linger on each mouthful which we all had a giggle at. Did you know a good quality chocolate is meant to snap like the sound of a twig when you break it?

We were met at the Hahndorf Inn by Aimee, once everyone had arrived and even with 2 new ladies the conversation just flowed and we had to make ourselves get off our seats to order lunch otherwise we would’ve been ordering dinner. After ordering and before we got engrossed in conversation again Aimee and I did what we do best – our 2 new ladies, Nicki and Heidi received their welcome gift (which is a secret until you come to your first Ladies day), Narelle won the raffle prize of a beautiful glass platter and Carol was awarded with the "Ladies Day Legend" trophy for introducing us to two new ladies at the last two events – well done Carol, we are always looking for new blood. Later during lunch it was also mentioned that Carol won the trophy hands down for trying to pour a glass of wine with the lid on – I think she was hoping no one had noticed but we all had a huge laugh about it and I was just glad it wasn't me because it normally is. Other things we had going on the table were guessing how many chocolate peanuts in the jar for $1 per guess and all this money goes towards Aimee and I buying raffle prizes each month. As well as our trusty old RSPCA donation tin, all we ask is for a few pieces of silver each event so every few months we are able to make a worthy donation. Carol won the jar of chocolate peanuts guessing 490 when the exact number was 485 – yay!

On my last note I think we were all very happy with our meals not only were they the biggest servings I had ever seen (waitresses taking plates from finished diners looked like they still had a full meal on the plate) but absolutely delicious! We were all a bit food drunk as we didn't manage to stop chatting and leave until nearly 4pm. A fantastic day – thank you ladies!

Luv Anita xo