5 Memorable Wines for Thanksgiving

5 Memorable Wines for Thanksgiving

 

Celebrate friends and family with exceptional wines made right here in the U.S.A. We’ve handpicked a collection that captures the spirit of American winemaking—unique, lively, and brimming with character. From the crisp and refreshing Cruse Wine Co. Sparkling Wine ‘Cruse Tradition’ to the bright and bubbly Planet Oregon Rose bubbles, there’s something for everyone in this lineup. Raise a glass and celebrate the best of American wine with these standout selections.

SPARKLING WINES

CRUSE WINE CO. SPARKLING WINE ‘CRUSE TRADITION’ 2020

5 Memorable Wines for Thanksgiving 1    

This is definitely a wine to scoop up since there were only 1,000 cases produced. Perpetual cuvée with a 2020 base of 73% Chardonnay and 27% Pinot Noir fermented and aged in a combination of wooden tanks, barrels, and stainless steel to give a complex texture and finish. Zero dosage. Cruse Tradition is great on its own for a crowd of wine lovers cooking up a storm, but it’s also a versatile pairing for lighter dishes. 

  • 40% of blend is perpetual cuvee and the remaining 2020 blend is 73% Chardonnay, 27% Pinot Noir
  • Sourced from Keefer Ranch (Green Valley of RRV), Alder Springs (Mendocino County), Linda Vista (Oak Knoll) and Rorick Vineyard (Sierra Foothills)
  • Native yeast fermentation
  • Pressed using the traditional Champagne cycle and press cut into barrels, wooden tanks and 20% stainless steel
  • 18 months aged sur lie, disgorged à la volée with zero dosage
  • 1,000 cases produced
  • 12.5% ABV

Cruse Wine Co., founded by Michael Cruse, focuses on producing fruit-driven wines that are both pleasurable and distinctly Californian, highlighting lesser-known varietals like Valdiguie, Tannat, Carignan, and St. Laurent. Deeply connected to the North Coast, Michael crafts his wines from carefully selected sites within Napa Valley and Sonoma County. The flagship wine, Monkey Jacket, is a vibrant red blend that exemplifies the winery’s ethos of drinkability and balance, complemented by small lots of single-vineyard varietals that showcase the diversity of the region.

 

PLANET OREGON ROSÉ BUBBLES ‘WILLIAMETTE VALLEY’ 2023

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Certified organic sparkling rosé of Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley. This sparkler is one for quaffing. One finds notes of cranberries, cherries, and pistachio with just a touch of sweetness to keep things light. 1% of sales donated to Oregon Environmental Council. 

  • Certified Organic
  • 100% Rosé of Pinot Noir
  • Willamette Valley AVA
  • Whole cluster pressed
  • Maceration on skins
  • Dosage: 3 g/L R.S.
  • 1% of sales are donated to the Oregon Environmental Council
  • 13% abv

Launched in 2009, Planet Oregon is committed to making a positive impact beyond the bottle, focusing on sustainable farming practices in the Willamette Valley. With a mission to combat climate change, the winery donates 1% of all sales to the Oregon Environmental Council, contributing nearly $80,000 to ensure cleaner air, water, and sustainable food production for Oregonians. Offering a vibrant Pinot Noir and a sparkling rosé, Planet Oregon embodies a state of mind that prioritizes environmental stewardship while creating delicious, affordable wines that inspire action for a healthier planet.

 

 

 

WHITE WINES

LIEU DIT CHENIN BLANC ‘SANTA YNEZ VALLEY’ 2022

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Chenin always has a place at our table. This one is an expressive, clean, and mineral crowd pleaser so hosts will definitely want to pick up a few bottles for their guests to enjoy. Lieu Dit’s Chenin Blanc is versatile when it comes to food pairing, taking the guess work out of a chef preparing a wide range of cuisines for a less traditional Thanksgiving menu. 

  • Farmed organically and sustainably
  • 100% Chenin Blanc
  • Sourced from Happy Canyon Vineyard, Block 1B in Santa Ynez Valley
  • Positas Fine Sandy Loam with chert & serpentine
  • Native yeast fermentation in stainless steel tank and neutral oak barrel
  • Aged in neutral French oak during the winter and racked into stainless steel in the spring
  • 12.5% Alc

Founded in 2011 by Justin Willett and a close companion, Lieu Dit is a Santa Barbara winery dedicated to exploring the art of winemaking through the lens of French-inspired varietals. With a focus on grape varieties indigenous to the Loire Valley, Lieu Dit primarily produces Sauvignon Blanc, alongside limited editions of Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and Rosé, with an annual output of around 2,500 cases. Committed to ideals of purity, elegance, and balance, Justin Willett’s passion for winemaking is further demonstrated through his work at Tyler Winery and as a consulting winemaker at Wenzlau Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills.

 

RED WINES WINES

MARTHA STOUMEN POST FLIRTATION RED 2022

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Dry farmed, no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. Post Flirtation Red is fresh blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Pinot noir, and Petite Sirah meant to be served with a slight chill. Described as both heart-warming and joyous, what better wine can you share when it comes to a lighter red with friends and family? 

  • 62% Zinfandel, 34% Carignan, 3% Pinot noir, 1% Petite Sirah
  • Zinfandel from Del Barba Vineyard, Oakley, Contra Costa County, a dry-farmed (non-irrigated) vineyard with pure sandy soils
  • Carignan and Zinfandel from Ricetti Vineyard, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, a dry-farmed (non-irrigated), certified organic vineyard with gravelly loam soils planted in 1948
  • Pinot noir from Hawkeye Ranch, Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, a dry-farmed (non-irrigated), certified organic vineyard with gravelly loam soils
  • Petite Sirah from Bricarelli Ranch, Ukiah, Mendocino County, a 15-year-old head-trained, dry-farmed (non-irrigated) vineyard with gravelly loam soils and farmed by Martha Stoumen according to organic principles (no pesticides, herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers)
  • 100% native yeast fermentation, each fermented separately and aged in both stainless steel and neutral oak barrique for 6 months
  • Zinfandel (95% destemmed, 5% whole-cluster), Carignan, Pinot noir, and Petite Sirah (100% whole cluster)
  • Unfined and lightly filtered before blending and bottling (sediment expected)
  • Free SO2 6 mg/L (Total SO2 19 mg/L)
  • 3,623 cases produced
  • 12.5% alc/vol 

 

Since founding Martha Stoumen Wines in 2014, Martha has collaborated with a select group of dedicated farmers committed to organic and dry-farming practices, producing wines that embody her philosophy of minimal intervention. Based in Sebastopol, California, her core offerings include the ‘Post Flirtation’ line of white, red, and rosé wines, alongside unique small-batch varietals that range from crisp whites to chillable reds. With an annual production of around 8,000 cases, Martha prioritizes healthy soils and vine longevity, crafting authentic, vibrant wines that spark conversation and reflect a commitment to chemical-free farming and native fermentation.

 

DASHE CELLARS ZINFANDEL ‘VINEYARD SELECT’ 2022

5 Memorable Wines for Thanksgiving 2

 

 

This blend of Zinfandel, Teroldego, and Tannat is a lush and lively red to complement the more substantial main dishes. It’s a twist on some of the more adventurous Turkey pairings and won’t fail to delight a range of palates. The wine has a lush, lively texture with bright acidity to balance the ripe fruit flavors and long finish of red fruits and cocoa powder. 

  • Practicing Organic
  • 85% Zinfandel, 8% Teroldego, 7% Tannat
  • Sourced from small production vineyards in Contra Costa and Clarkesburg
  • Aged in 100% 1-year or older French barrels
  • Native yeast fermentation
  • 2931 cases produced
  • 14.5% abv

Founded in 1996 by husband-and-wife team Michael and Anne Dashe, Dashe Cellars crafts single-vineyard wines that highlight Sonoma County’s unique terroirs. With over 40 years of combined experience from iconic wineries worldwide, the Dashes bring a gentle, natural approach to winemaking, emphasizing low yields, old vines, and hillside sites. Their Les Enfants Terribles series, introduced in 2007, showcases a refined, Old World style that celebrates cooler climates and sustainable vineyard practices.

 

 

 

 

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