“WE WANT WARM TEMPERATURES!” is the resounding cry of Circle City residents. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Mother Nature is giving up winter anytime soon, but there are many businesses that hold events catered to the cold weather. Mallow Run Winery has been providing a spot for warm food, friends, wine, and live music to help fight off the winter blues for several years. The winery’s Wholesale & Marketing Coordinator Sarah Shadday gave me the 411 on these popular Warm-Ups.
Is this the first year Mallow Run has hosted Winter Warm-Up Weekends?
We actually started Winter Warm-Ups about six years ago! At first, we started around the holidays and didn’t host them every weekend. Maybe twice a month from November through March we’d feature a different soup along with some live music. We eventually decided that the holiday has it’s own unique energy and reasons for folks to visit; having Winter Warm-Ups every Saturday and Sunday beginning that first full weekend in January through the end of March gives our customers something to do and look forward to in order to beat those “winter blues” that can set in after the excitement of the holidays.
How did the idea come about?
I think we were looking for a way to get through winter just as much as our customers were! We have an amazing summer season of outdoor events featuring food and music and we were looking for something to keep that momentum even in the colder months when we have to bring it inside. We thought – who doesn’t love soup in the winter? Add in live music and wine and you’ve got yourself a lovely afternoon! 
Do you typically have a good turnout?
Yes! Winter Warm-Ups have grown so much over the years, that we actually had to build an addition to the building to hold more tables and chairs! We used to do everything in our tasting room – the band was set up in the corner, and we cooked and served soup out of the small kitchen connected to the office. Once we built our patio addition (which is a permanent roof structure with ceiling heaters and walls that are put on during the cold months), we moved the music and soup-making downstairs where we had more space. We also had to add a second bar for wine sales! And this year, we’ve added even more seating in the basement, right in front of the bar. This was all wine storage before. It’s so fun to see the event grow each year!
Are the artists that perform local?
Is there anything you’d like to say to people who are thinking about coming to a Winter Warm-Up?
