As the spring bulbs burst forth and the days become warmer it is the ideal time to plan for your next special occasion at Magnolia House and the home of Ros Ritchie Wines, with its ambience of a historic space and a pavilion surrounded by a lovely garden setting.

The Magnolia has a long history of offering quality hospitality, having started as a family home for the Amor family, well-known local identities.

It is a unique and charming house that lends itself to the perfect backdrop for special occasions within easy reach in the Mansfield township.

The Ros Ritchie Wines Cellar Door, which opened to the public several years ago, has established itself as the home of fine wines and the perfect place to sample good food available in our region according to owner and winemaker, Ros Ritchie.

“We offer food and wine experiences, and we obviously prefer them to be pre-booked for catering purposes; we try to encourage the wine tastings (seated) before any food and wines by the glass, especially when people are new to our brand,” Ros explained.

“As you would know, eating cheese and other strong flavoured foods like pickles can completely change a wines’ flavour and mouthfeel,” she said.

Tastings, especially for groups more than four persons, are also encouraged to be booked in.

“Magnolia has been transformed into a gorgeous space where you can enjoy wine tastings and grazing style food, including cheese and grazing platters, and our range of pizza,” said Ros.

What can one expect if booking the Magnolia for a private function?

“A totally private venue with no other events or people around,” she said.

Hirers will be provided with the venue, all glassware, crockery, cutlery, tables, and chairs.

Flowers or foliage arrangements can be provided, or hirers can bring their own

The Magnolia can accommodate in the pavilion numbers of up to 120 persons for seated functions and anything up to 180-200 for cocktail or standing functions.

"In the Magnolia rooms, we look at numbers (minimum of 16 persons) of up to 40 persons seated and 80 persons cocktail or standing functions.

“We can customise for differing needs, such as conferences, lunches, dinners, afternoons teas, birthdays, weddings, wakes, school reunions, commercial functions and any other events you could imagine,” said Ros.

Venue hirers can order in their own caterers or allow staff at the Magnolia to assist with that.

“We can do both, there are only a couple of local caterers at the moment, and we can work with outside caterers of the hirer’s choice,” said Ros.

“We offer the hirer their choice of our award winning wines, as well as beer and soft drinks, but not spirits.

“We also offer beverage packages,” she said.

The Magnolia’s experienced and friendly staff are available to ensure that events go off without a hitch.

The venue also lends itself to having a singer or musician performing in an intimate space.

Music or musicians may also be provided on request, or hirers can source their own for any special occasions.

The Magnolia has hosted music as part of its Friday night drinks at certain times throughout the year.

Ros said hopefully the Friday night openings will return in the warmer months when daylight hours are longer.

Functions may be booked subject to availability on any day of the week, but not through the cellar door – they need to go through the function manager or by email to ros@rosritchiewines.com

Ros reflected on what makes the Magnolia such a special venue for functions.

“I think its because people are so happy to be in such a special place, totally private and it is their space while they are with us and they always have such a happy and relaxed time; the ambience of the historic and very unique home that is the Magnolia, is one of warmth and familiarity which appeals to everyone who spends time with us there”.