In past years, I have been thankful for Italian wines at Thanksgiving; This year, however, Sonoma wineries really need our love and support after the destructive Kincade fire this autumn.
It was a joy and honor to highlight these perfect Thanksgiving wines from fantastic small to mid-size Sonoma wineries that will make you the hero of Thanksgiving dinner this year—winter holidays too! Please note that these wineries ship, and I’ve included links, so please support Sonoma with your wine choices this Thanksgiving and let’s all be thankful for the thousands of first responders who contained the Kincade fire that could have otherwise devastated the region.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairing 101
Before I get to the wines, I wanted to go over the characteristics that make a wine a good candidate for being paired with Thanksgiving dinner.
Red fruit flavors
This will bring out that heavenly mediator of the Thanksgiving table: cranberry sauce.
Earthiness and/ or baking spice flavors
The umami of mushrooms and gravy, or the autumnal spices that make their way into many side dishes are accentuated in a pleasing way when they are present in the wine as well.
Light tannins and medium acidity
Turkey, while it has some nice fat to it, doesn’t quite require the big astringent tannins of a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Barolo as a nice steak or meat stew. Light to medium tannins are just fine.
Now you are all Thanksgiving wine pairing pros. Onto the wine!
9 Sonoma Wines to serve at Thanksgiving Dinner
Idlewild | Flora & Fauna Rosé 2018 $25
Rosé, in general, deserves a place at any Thanksgiving table due to its nice acidity and low-key flavor profile that won’t overpower the turkey, but, this rosé, even more so. A blend of three Piemontese varieties (Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera), it is more savory than your average rosé, and the tasting notes includes celery salt, blood orange and Alpine herbs. Yum!
Martha Stoumen | Patatino Nouveau 2019 $30
This beaujolais nouveau-style wine is a blend of Nero d’Avola (coming from the Fox Hill Vineyard, which was just minutes away from one of the wineries lost in the fire), Zinfandel and touch of Valdiguie from the exceptional 2019 harvest. It is vibrant with bright raspberry fruit shining through, low tannins and alcohol.
Side note: This is the first year Martha is making a nouveau, and it is also the year that she and her husband welcomed their own little patatino (term of affection for your children in Italian, meaning “little potato”) into the world!
Unti | Vermentino 2018 $28
For those of you who are fans of California Sauvignon Blanc or Sancerre, try this bright, zesty Vermentino with citrus and herbal flavors and a tingly minerality; it will pair well with green beans and brussel sprouts and will cleanse your palate after a bite of mashed potatoes.
The fruit comes from 1.66 acres of Unti’s Dry Creek estate and only about 598 cases are made. Do yourself a favor and get a whole case. (You can also try their Grenache and Zinfandel as well for Thanksgiving!)
Scribe | Skin-Fermented Chardonnay 2017 $38
Be sure to have this 500 ml bottle close to you at the Thanksgiving table; it will disappear quickly! Scribe crafts this Chardonnay with a long fermentation on the skins in concrete for about 100 days. The result is a golden-colored, richly textured, earthy Chardonnay that will mingle harmoniously with turkey and gravy. Pretty much every wine Scribe makes would be a great choice for the Thanksgiving table: their Pinot Noirs, classic Chardonnays, Nouveau and Rosé are all top choices as well.
Front Porch Farms | Red Blend 2016 $28
The wines coming from this organic farm in Russian River Valley are as heavenly as their idyllic surroundings. Winemaker Sebastien Pochan makes Front Porch Farm wines from grape varieties that hail from the Rhône Valley in his native France: Grenache, Mouvedre, Syrah, and Grenache Blanc. Perfect! Because GSM wines (Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre) happen to be great Thanksgiving dinner wine pairings. Their fruity-fig flavors are delicious with roasted squash and sweet potatoes; and their earthy, herbal qualities combine nicely with stuffing.
In reality, you cannot go wrong with any of Front Porch Farms’ wines—the Red, White and Rosé would all make nice additions to your Thanksgiving wine line-up.
Idell Family Vineyard | Oscar Zinfandel 2013 $35
If turkey is not your thing and ham will be served at your Thanksgiving table instead, or if you are just looking for a bigger wine, I recommend the Idell Family’s Hamel Family Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel. Its smooth texture with red fruit and chocolate flavors (and a touch of spice) will warm you up quick! While you’re at it, stock up for next’s years Oscars party!
Medlock Ames | Chardonnay 2018 $34
There’s one close call I heard about during the Kincade Fire, and it was Medlock Ames. On October 27th, the fire swept through their Bell Mountain Ranch in Alexander Valley, but miraculously (and also thanks to the heroic efforts of first responders) only a few vines of their 55-acre estate were singed. (Phew!) This Chardonnay comes from that estate. It’s luscious and weighty with notes of lemon, apple, pear and buttery pie crust, but balanced with a firm acidity. It will take you straight from dinner to dessert!
Red Car | Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2015 $45
Though far from the Kincade fire, and protected under layers of fog and a damp sea breeze, Red Car is a Sonoma staple and makes a fine Pinot Noir—another Thanksgiving favorite thanks to its tart red fruit flavors and low tannins. The philosophy at Red Car is “let the fruit do the talking” and talk it does. This Pinot Noir says, “juicy red currants, cherries, blood orange and ginger!” It also offers a nice roundness that will bring together various dishes on your Thanksgiving table.
Also try their Rosé of Pinot Noir ($28), always one of the best Sonoma rosés!
Breathless | Blanc de Noir $32
Every Thanksgiving meal needs some bubbles. They’re fun, festive and their delicate fruity and brioche flavors are divine with just about anything! Run by three sisters and Penny Gadd-Coster, their winemaker with over 35 years experience making traditional method sparkling wines, Breathless is a new winery in Healdsburg whose mission is to produce quality sparkling wines in Sonoma; the numerous gold and double gold medals prove they’re doing just that. This Blanc de Noir will not let you down. Neither will the Blanc de Blanc or Brut Rosé. Best news you’ve received all week? They offer a three pack for only $84!
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