Six Local Wines For Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and football. For others, like me, its about finding the perfect wine pairing to go with a feast.

Typically, for Thanksgiving feasts those who like white wine will go with a Chardonnay while the red lovers will pick a Pinot Noir, both are nice choices and pair nicely with turkey. Personally, I like a smooth Zinfandel that is on the lighter side so it does not overpower my food–although, most days I like it big and bold.

I reached out to several local wineries and asked them for a recommendation of what you may want to try this Thanksgiving and break away from your traditional wine buys and maybe try something new.

The wineries are all within 50 miles of East Contra Costa County which include: Clarksburg, Lodi, and Livermore. The bonus buy comes from Sonoma County.

Bogle Vineyards – 2013 Chardonnay
Price: $8

Bogle Vineyards is located just 40 miles north of East Contra Costa up Highway 160 in Clarksburg and offers a fabulous 2013 Chardonnay which pairs well with the savory flavors of Thanksgiving.

The Chardonnay grapes are grown in Clarksburg and are known for their characteristic apple and pear aromas and flavors. Bogle winemakers have captured these refreshing and ripe notes while allowing them to develop and intensify through stainless steel fermentation. This packs fresh fruit with tones of spicy vanilla and nutmeg. The creamy mouthfeel adds just the final touch on the finish, reminiscent of an apple and pear galette.

Bogle also recommends their Pinot Noir which also pairs well with a Thanksgiving meal.

For more information on Bogle Vineyards, visit them at www.boglewinery.com. To visit their tasting room, is located at 37783 Co Rd 144, Clarksburg, CA 95612

Peirano Estate Vineyards – The Immortal Zin
Price:  $14

Peirano Estate Vineyards tasting room is less than 50 miles away to the east of East Contra Costa.  The Immortal Zin pairs well with turkey and is a nice cost effective choice when purchasing a bottle of wine to bring to dinner–it’s also located in most grocery stores

The color of this wine is truly Immortal. Its rich dark color goes on and on and on. The deceptively subtle aromas of this wine combine red current, raspberries, red cherries, with earthy cedar marrying together to put your olfactory senses into a new dimension. In the mouth, the palate is wrapped in a mysterious, velvety layered mix of raspberry cordial, sweet mouth filling red fruit, blackberry and red current, leading to a lengthy rich mouth filling almost breathless finish

For more information on Peirano Estate Vineyards, visit them at www.peirano.com. Their tasting room is located at 21831 N. Highway 99 (West Frontage Road), Acampo, CA 95220

Michael David Winery – 2013 Ancient Vine Cinsault
Price: $25

Less than 40-minutes away from East Contra Costa County up I-160 and hang a right on I-12, Michael David Winery offers a variety of fantastic wines–most notably, the Seven Deadly Zins which can be found in most grocery stores.

For thanksgiving, however, the winery recommends the 2013 Ancient Vine Cinsault. This wine is produced out of Lodi’s oldest producing vineyards dating back to 1886.

According to the winery, their Cinsault is smooth as silk, thanks to low tannin levels. This is not a big, in-your-face-red. Its style reflects a more flirty, pretty, and ever-so-slightly feminine personality. It delivers nice aromatics consistent with summer strawberries. In the mouth it offers Bing cherry and raspberry.

Cuda Ridge Wines – 2013 Cabernet Franc
Price: $36

The 2013 Cabernet Franc will not disappoint.  It is enticingly fragrant, and filled blue berries, currant, cedar, and vanilla. This wine has good tannin structure on the mid-palate and a nice acidity balance which provides a freshness on the finish. The mouth-feel is elegant and amazing.  With the 2013 vintage, the goal of the winemaker was to make this a varietally correct tasting Cabernet Franc.  This is blend of 92% White Cat Vineyard Cabernet Franc, 7% One Oak Vineyard Merlot, 1% Galles Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.

For more information on Cuda Ridge Winery, visit them at www.cudaridgewines.com. Their tasting room is located at 2400 Arroyo Road, Livermore which is open Friday-Sunday from 12:00-4:30pm.

Nottingham Cellars – Norm Grenache
Price: $42

Nottingham Cellers is located in Livermore and for many who travel Vasco, it’s the first tasting room you may come across on your way to the Livermore Wine Region.

The 2013 Grenache, under their Vasco Urbano Wine Company label, from Marina Ranch shows off its vintage well with good drive through out. The aromatics waft of farmstead strawberry and boysenberry preserves, rose petal, clove, allspice and black tea. The flavors follow suit with richness and integrity; strawberry, cranberry, black tea and cherry cola. The wine is balanced with a firm tannic structure and vibrant acidity.

For more information on Nottingham Cellars, visit them at www.nottinghamcellars.com. You may also visit their tasting room at 2245 S. Vasco Rd., Unit C. Livermore CA Thursday-Sunday from 12:00 – 4:30pm.

Editors Bonus Recommendation

Beringer Vineyards – Cabernet Sauvignon Knights Valley
Price: $32

Our bonus recommendation comes from Sonoma County and can be found in most local grocery stores ranging anywhere from $25-32 per bottle.

This a smooth wine that pairs well with Thanksgiving feasts which will not overpower the food.

The 2012 Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon has aromas of dark blue fruits and spices. Notes of cassis, sweet licorice and a juicy core of fruit are balanced by nice acidity and a silky, lingering finish

For more information on Beringer Vineyards, you can visit them www.beringer.com. You may also visit their tasting room which is located at 2000 Main Street St. Helena, CA.

Thanksgiving is a time to appreciate that we’re alive in today’s crazy world and reflect what we have accomplished so far in 2015.  There is no better way to take it all in than with a fantastic bottle of wine which leads to fantastic conversations.

To contact ECT, email  [email protected]