Combine the wine, sugar, cinnamon stick, star anise, clove, orange zest and vanilla bean in a deep pot and bring to a simmer. Add the pears, cover with a heatsafe plate (making sure that it fully submerges the fruit) and cook on low heat until you can pierce the pears easily with a knife, 30 to 45 minutes.
Serve with whipped cream and ground cinnamon.