The countdown to Thanksgiving has officially begun. For some of us, it feels like the season for gathering and gratitude sprang up out of nowhere. Others have had their menus set, seating charts mapped and holiday wines ordered since the first day of fall.
Whether you’re easing back into turkey duty or pulling together an extravagant feast, you’re invited to glean some Thanksgiving wine inspiration from some of our resident food and wine pros. From Bella Union Winemaker Brooke Price to our virtual experiences and senior events managers, they've shared some of their treasured holiday traditions and favorite Thanksgiving wine pairing tips, below.
The top two pro wine pairing tips nearly everyone kept circling back to?
1.) Fill your glass with a wine you LOVE.
and
2.) Whether it’s Russian River Pinot Noir with roasted turkey thighs or a Napa Cabernet and rib eye Steaksgiving, keep the wines for this national holiday American grown and made.
The Way WE Gather & Give Thanks. Far Niente Family of Wineries & Vineyards’ Favorite Thanksgiving Wine Traditions
Kaleigh Seaholm, Virtual Experiences Assistant Manager
Cornbread Stuffing + EnRoute Pinot Noir “Les Pommiers”
“We have three households to attend during the holidays, and while each family gathering is wonderfully unique in its own way, they share one thing in common: they all LOVE our EnRoute Pinot Noirs. We always bring a bottle of EnRoute Pinot Noir “Les Pommiers” as it pairs perfectly with everything on the table, especially my homemade corn bread stuffing. Last year we added a new tradition, too. I brought a different EnRoute single-vineyard Pinot Noir to each dinner, which we blind tasted next to “Les Pommiers.” It was such a taste adventure, discovering which wine was a person’s favorite and why. I am excited to keep that tradition going as we rotate the single vineyards between the households!”
Brooke Price, Bella Union Winemaker
Smoked Turkey & Port-Cranberry Relish + Bella Union Cabernet, Napa Valley
We load up our Thanksgiving table with a mushroom and wild rice stuffing, homemade port cranberry relish and an herb-butter rubbed turkey that we’ve cooked on our green egg grill. The lightly smoked notes of the turkey, umami-rich stuffing and bright relish all pair delightfully with Bella Union Cabernet’s silky tannins, fruit-forward dark berry and plum notes, and balanced acidity. It’s a Thanksgiving feast with Napa Valley style!”
Barbra Christo, Senior Events Manager
Rosemary Lamb + Nickel & Nickel Suscol Ranch Merlot
“We’re all about Thanksgiving lamb with Nickel & Nickel Suscol Merlot at our house. No one in the family likes turkey and we’re Greek, so we roast lamb with fresh rosemary and pair it with oyster stuffing. Napa Valley Merlot is so supple and silky on the palate, plus those juicy berry flavors from Suscol Ranch harmonize beautifully with the savory lamb and fragrant herbs. It’s wonderfully symbiotic.”
April Enos, Wine Club Assistant Manager
Cheese & Charcuterie Board Appetizer + Far Niente Chardonnay
For the past two Thanksgivings, we have always started our day with Far Niente Chardonnay on ice, conveniently located next to a grand charcuterie board that always features new, different and delicious cheeses each year. Some of our favorite Chardonnay and cheese pairings have been Ewephoria’s aged sheep Gouda and a super creamy Camembert from Marin Cheese Co.
Chris Robinson, Private Client Concierge
Roast Turkey, Sweet Yams and Sausage Stuffing + EnRoute Northern Spy Vineyard Pinot Noir
“Each year, my family gathers to cook a traditional feast: turkey, sweet yams, and my mother’s amazing sausage and roasted nut stuffing. We always serve it with one of our EnRoute Russian River Valley Pinots. They are the ultimate Thanksgiving partners. Last year, it was the Northern Spy Vineyard Pinot Noir, and it paired perfectly with everything on the menu.”
John McCarthy, Director of Vineyard Operations
Aunt Lucy’s Thanksgiving Toast + Far Niente Chardonnay
“The second we sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, our glasses already full of our classic Far Niente Chardonnay. Aunt Lucy stands to give her annual speech. Addressing the enormous dining table filled with family, she starts with the common blessings – love for those no longer with us and gratitude galore – before giving the next generation a half-joking earful for not visiting more, staying in touch, or having enough kids. Even though we know she couldn’t be more serious, we all raise our glasses in appreciation of her dedication to strong family ties and continued traditions.”
So, what do YOU want to drink this holiday? Make your own Thanksgiving wine traditions with these food-friendly Napa and Russian River Valley wines.
Need a dramatic – and delicious – centerpiece? Our large format wines make a statement on the table and in the glass!
Want to send – and share – a glass (or two) with friends and family across the country? When shipping wines to multiple addresses, our private client services pros make taking care of every detail, from packaging to delivery, effortless on your part. They’ll even customize a virtual wine tasting, so you can raise a glass together (apart). They’re complimentary with any holiday wine purchase! Start chatting with them now.
