Thanksgiving might be the hardest meal of the year to pair with wine. Turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and three kinds of pie all land on the table at once, and every guest has their own idea of what they like to drink. The good news: you don't need one perfect bottle. You need a few good ones, and a little permission to have fun with it.
Here's how we'd set the table this year, using wines we pour right here on the mountain.
Start with something bright
Before the turkey comes out, guests want something crisp and easy. Our 2024 Dogwood, 100% Seyval Blanc and our driest white, brings orange peel, lemon zest and green apple, with the kind of acidity that wakes up the palate. It's great with cheese boards, deviled eggs and whatever someone brought "just as a little snack."
For the turkey: Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay
If you only buy one white for the main event, make it our flagship 2021 Barrel-Fermented Chardonnay. Aromas of apple pie and butter pecan, notes of honey and butterscotch, and a creamy finish make it a natural partner for roast turkey, buttery mashed potatoes and gravy. It has the body to stand up to rich dishes and enough acidity to keep every bite fresh.
The crowd-pleaser: Chardonnay/Riesling
Every table has someone who says, "I don't really like dry wine." Our 2023 Chardonnay/Riesling, our most popular wine, walks the line between dry and sweet with honeysuckle, fresh peach and mango. It plays nicely with sweet potato casserole, glazed carrots and honey-baked ham. Want a little more aromatic lift? Our Old Vine Riesling brings apricot and orange blossom.
Reds that won't overpower the bird
Turkey is lean, so skip the heaviest reds and reach for something lively. Wilderness, a light-bodied, fruit-forward dry red of Merlot and Norton, brings fresh raspberry and toasted vanilla. It's terrific with cranberry sauce and dark meat. For a bit more structure, our Cabernet Franc offers blackberry and fresh cedar, and loves herby stuffing and roasted mushrooms.
Serving beef, lamb or a smoked turkey? Open Raptor Red, our signature Bordeaux-style blend of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Merlot.
Dessert deserves its own pour
Meadow, our sweetest white (Vidal Blanc), with candied peach and honeysuckle, is lovely with apple and pumpkin pie. Summit, a semi-sweet Norton blend with notes of raspberry jam and cherry pie filling, is our pick for pecan pie, chocolate or an after-dinner cheese plate.
A few tips from our tasting room
Buy more than you think you need. Plan on about one bottle for every two wine drinkers, plus a spare.
Give whites and lighter reds like Wilderness a light chill. Serve fuller reds just below room temperature.
Put out two or three bottles and let people explore. There are no rules at the Thanksgiving table.
Taste before you buy
Not sure what to bring? Join us for our Thanksgiving Pairing on Saturday, November 21, from 12 to 5pm. A member of our team will walk you through which wines pair best with classic Thanksgiving dishes, so you can stock up for the big day. Reservations are recommended.
You can also shop our wines online or stop by the tasting room, open every day of the week.
From all of us on the mountain, happy Thanksgiving, and Drink Naked!