Experience a 'Winter Winederland': Electric Playhouse teams up with Vara Winery & Distillery for immersive dinner

Collaboration is a key to success.

This is why Electric Playhouse is teaming up with Vara Winery & Distillery to create “Winter Winederland,” which runs select dates in February.

The five-course immersive experience kicks off at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, at Electric Playhouse.

More events are held on Feb. 9-10, Feb. 14 and 16, as well as Feb. 23.

“We had been looking for a new opportunity to explore more tasting based events similar to an Ex Novo beer tasting offering we ran last year,” says Brandon Garrett, Electric Playhouse CEO.

“I ran into JP Clement at a networking event and had the opportunity to taste some of Vara’s wine selection and hear their story. We chatted about how incredible it would be to have a wine tasting event that included one of Vara’s experience managers, fine dining and the interactive and immersive visuals that we are known for. From there, we both saw a great opportunity to collaborate on a first of its kind experience.”

Garrett says he began talking with Vara in May 2023.

Experience a 'Winter Winederland': Electric Playhouse teams up with Vara Winery & Distillery for immersive dinner

“For us this is our first offering that includes an experience manager from Vara guiding the experience so we wanted to leverage that and have the technology compliment it in a fun and engaging way,” Garrett says. “So we have incorporated ways for guests to provide real-time feedback on the wines while exploring the history of winemaking and the story behind each grape.”

Garrett says Electric Playhouse’s chef, Lorenzo Garcia, was able to craft a fine dining menu that not only compliments each course but also incorporates Vara wines into some of the dishes themselves.

Course one is a Southwestern Charcuterie which features Hatch green chile cheddar, Gouda, dried apricots, candied walnuts, sliced pear and lavender honey. It is paired with Silverhead Brut.

Course two is Korean-Style Egg Roll, which is shredded pork, pickled cabbage and broccoli slaw with a Korean sweet sesame sauce. It is paired with Viura 2022.

The third course is Garlic & Parsley Shrimp Crostini, which is sauteed shrimp, Albariño white wine, fresh garlic and parsley. It is paired with Albariño 2021.

There is a choice for the fourth course. Guests can choose between Pan Seared Duck, which is roasted fingerling potatoes, heirloom carrots, with a wild cherry demiglace; or Wild Mushroom Risotto, which is a creamy risotto with wild mushrooms, white truffle oil, shallots and chives. It is served with Tempranillo Gold Label 2019.

The final course also has a choice. Guests can choose between a Three-Layer Chocolate Mousse, which has ganache, light chocolate, mousse, hazelnut and cocoa powder; or Raspberry Sorbet, which is berry coulis, fresh berries and mint. The dessert is paired with Zingara 2019.