Thanksgiving is just a week away and that means it’s time to make sure you’re stocked up on wine for the holidays. To help you do so, I’ve put together a list of 10 Walla Walla wines you’ll want to have on hand this season (and recommendations for what food and activities to pair with them)!
The 2018 Breezy Slope Vineyard Pinot Noir from Lagana Cellars ($40) is light and delicious. She opens with black cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and cinnamon on the nose and continues with black pepper and forest aromas to round out an earthy expression of Walla Walla terroir. This is a perfect mid-afternoon wine to sip while decorating or wrapping presents. It also pairs beautifully with ham and turkey.
The 2017 Fysalídes from Kontos Cellars ($45) is a fantastically done Champagne Method sparkling wine that’s 97% Pinot Noir and 3% Chardonnay. This is the wine to open for a holiday celebration like Christmas or New Year’s Eve. It drinks great on its own or paired with caviar, oysters, or white truffle (all of which are very appropriate for your holiday gatherings).
The Rotie Cellars’ Love Rocks Tablas ($45) is a very special, first vintage, Rocks Estate Syrah. This brand new wine is officially releasing to the public on November 20th (available now to club members!) so mark your calendars because it’s going to go fast. Semi-opaque ruby-crimson colored, this wine emits intoxicating, perfumed aromas of blackberry, raspberry, mountain blueberry, black currant, crushed black roses, pipe tobacco, lavender, sandalwood, sagebrush, and wild violets. This wine is best enjoyed on its own so you can take in the funky flavors of the Rocks; I recommend sipping it around a fire.
The Gewürztraminer from pét project ($29) is a lovely pét nat that can be enjoyed all year round! It’s on the sweeter side and makes for a great dessert wine (think pecan pie or creme brulee). I plan to open mine and sip it while I bake, decorate, and devour Christmas cookies this year.
Grosgrain Vineyards’ 2019 Grenache ($36) is stunning. Deep ruby and transparent with aromas of Rainier cherry, damson plum, orange peel, and clove; this wine pairs beautifully with turkey but is also wonderful on its own. It’s light and bright; great for sipping while you put together a gingerbread house.
Yellowhawk Resort and Sparkling House’s Pink Bubbles ($28) make for a fantastic breakfast wine for your special holiday mornings. It exudes aromas of ripe stone fruit and orange blossom with an underlying herbaceous note. Expect bright, citrus flavors at first taste, with an earthy finish and complex mouthfeel with small popping bubbles. This wine pairs well with savory or sweet; I’ll be drinking it with French Toast on Christmas morning.
Spring Valley Vineyard’s 2017 Katherine Corkrum Cabernet Franc ($55) is a perfect pairing for comfort food like hearty beef stews and lasagna (two things I just love to eat this time of year). She has floral and almond notes with a rich texture and minerality. The finish is dominated by rich cherry flavors and lingering tannins.
Ducleaux’s Cellars’ 2020 Spectacular Rosé of Sangiovese pet-nat ($29) is ideal for the holiday season. Put this in your guests’ hand as they arrive for the festivities! Light and crisp; it pairs well with creamy cheeses (start your celebration with a bottle of this and some nice brie and you are guaranteed to have a lovely evening).
Dusted Valley’s 2018 V.R. Special Cabernet Sauvignon ($62) is your Holiday Dinner wine this season. This beauty is Dusted Valley’s top Cabernet Sauvignon and it’s crafted from some of the oldest and most sought-after vineyards in Washington State. A perfect pairing for traditional holiday dinners featuring beef tenderloin, prime rib, and filet mignon.
House of Bones’ 2019 Chardonnay ($45) is sourced from one of the most prestigious Chardonnay vineyards in Washington State, Celilo Vineyard, and barrel fermented with native yeast. This beautifully bright wine is great as a stand-alone (lovely for sipping while you’re prepping your holiday dinner). It also pairs well with popcorn; perfect for drinking while you watch all of your favorite holiday movies!
Cheers to the season my friends! I hope some (or all) of these wonderful Walla Walla wines make it to your table this year.
xoxo,
Steph
Leave a Reply