Our guest blogger this month is Megan Mayfair, author of The Things We Leave Unsaid, Tangled Vines, and the soon-to-be-released The Problem with Perfect.
Welcome to the Breathless Blog, Megan!
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| Image courtesy of giphy |
Let’s be clear. I have absolutely no knowledge of how to make wine. Or how to sell it. Or how to grow grapes. My entire life is based in metropolitan Melbourne. I literally wouldn’t know where to start, but yet, the idea is so compelling, so intriguing and so romantic.
What is it about wineries that make them so romantic? I can’t be the only one to think so – they are an extremely popular setting for books and movies, particularly within the romance genre.
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| Blairgownie Estate Winery |
Is it the fact they are often so prettily situated in gorgeous locations like South Australia’s Barossa Valley or Western Australia’s Margaret River? And that’s just Australia! There are plenty of glorious wine regions around the world such as Napa, Tuscany, Bordeaux. Just typing these locations makes me think of rustic buildings set atop of hills overlooking rows of grapes with the sun setting in the background. What an ideal setting for a hero and heroine to fall in love. Swoon.
Or perhaps it’s the luxury of the product? Sitting on a balcony sipping a glass of bittersweet champagne or a plummy merlot is a moment of luxurious bliss away from traffic jams, school pick-ups and deadlines. There’s something about stopping and enjoying a drink with my real-life hero that always feels like a slither of lux in a busy world. Not to mention that some of life’s most beautiful moments are celebrated with the popping of a champagne cork or a heartfelt toast.
Whatever the appeal, I love a novel or a movie set on a winery. While, at least not for the moment, running away to run a winery isn’t quite on the cards for me, I could at least let my imagination run wild in my most recent novel, Tangled Vines.
My hero, Frederick runs a winery called Fox & Grey in Victoria’s Heathcote area, which is well known for peppery Shiraz due to the climate and soil. I enjoyed trekking to wineries such as Blairgownie Estate near Bendigo for inspiration, along with spots on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and Yarra Valley. Ahh, the things we do for research!
About Tangled Vines:
Desperate to escape a humiliating scandal, Amelia seeks refuge with her aunt, Jill. Amelia quickly finds comfort in the arms of Frederick, a business owner battling for control of his winery, but as their relationship grows, an explosive secret in Jill's past threatens to re-surface.
Can they find happiness or will history repeat itself?
Https://mybook.to/tangledvines
I love to love… a romance amongst the vines.
I love to laugh… with friends over a drink.
I love to learn… about all our beautiful wineries throughout Australia so please let me know your favourites!
I went to live and work in the Hunter Valley when I first graduated from university. My palate matured on Hunter Valley wines (after Chareaux de cardboard at university!!). I was very fortunate that one of my closest friends partner was a winemaker at Rothbury Estate at the time. He’s now winemaker at McGuigan Wines (hi to Peter Hall!). He, Peter Payard (from Lake’s Folly wines) and Keith Tulloch (from Tulloch wines) we’re responsible for my wine “education” and I always look back on those days with fondness for the wonderful times and friendships. So, if you’re in the Hunter Valley, check out these wineries!
ReplyDeleteLike you, Megan, I love stories set in wine-growing areas (no doubt due to my associating wonderful times there). I partly set my story, Roses for Sophie, in the Hunter Valley.
Looking forward to reading Tangled Vines!
Thanks Alyssa. I will definitely check out Roses for Sophie as the Hunter Valley is definitely on my bucket list. Some gorgeous wines coming out of that region. What a fabulous experience that must have been to live and work there.
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ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blog, Megan. I agree there's something magic about wineries, and I'm not a particularly discerning drinker. They just seem so romantic, somehow. One of the ones that was particularly magic is Sherwood Estate Wines near Kempsey, NSW. Such a pretty venue, obviously popular for weddings and such. Kempsey has lots of honey sellers, and this winery also produced a honey wine, which was (obviously) sweet and light and lovely. We were most taken with it. Sounds like your book will be a winner, congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThanks Miranda! That sounds gorgeous. Wineries are so popular for weddings. I was keen for a vineyard setting for my wedding but couldn't make the logistics work but I was lucky enough to be a in a bridal party at a wedding at Stones in the Yarra Valley - a gorgeous spot. Honey wine sounds very interesting and I think I've just added Kempsey to my must-see spots.
DeleteHi Meagan. Wineries are much more than places just to make wine aren't they? Now a lot have restaurants and accommodation attached. No wonder they are such good fodder for stories.
ReplyDeleteThanks Cassandra. Absolutely - so many now have accommodation, day spas, event facilities, restaurants and more. De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley has a fabulous cheese room as well (they pair it with the wines - divine). It really does make a lot of business sense for the owners to maximise the space and can make it a great day out for people even if they are not into wine or are driving. They can still enjoy a lovely lunch or afternoon tea. Agree. So many stories given how adaptable the spaces really are.
DeleteHi Megan. Wineries are always in such beautiful locations, they're a pleasure to visit just to go exploring. It's wonderful how they can not only be used as settings in books, but now people can go there for the restaurants, accommodation and for outdoor concerts. Gorgeous way to spend a day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Enisa! Concerts really are such a popular event to have at wineries and there are some fantastic ones. It really is a beautiful way to spend the day. We are very spoiled in here Melbourne with a few brilliant locations like Red Hill/Morning Peninsula (fabulous Pinot Noir) or locations like the Yarra Valley or the Heathcote area (where Tangled Vines is set) on our doorstep. Plenty of great spots around the country that make a great road trip or holiday destination like the Margaret River or Barossa Valley.
DeleteWhat a wonderful setting for your book, Megan! Great tag line, too! There's a great little winery close to the Snowy Mountains - I just wish I could remember the name of the town. The winery was literally built around massive rocks which were included in the structure itself. And now that I've been reminded of it, I'm thinking I must get back there some time soon. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marilyn! That's amazing - I'd love to know which one that was it sounds beautiful. There's some gorgeous properties around - so scenic and perfect settings for books.
DeleteHi Megan,
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting post! I think wineries are incredibly romantic places owing to the beautiful scenery, and of course, the wine. I'm looking forward to reading "Tangled Vines". It sounds intriguing.
Thanks Sharon. I think so too - there is something a little special about them and we see them used so beautifully in fiction and in movies too. I hope you enjoy Tangled Vines. It was so much fun to write and research.
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