One thing I tell my kids year after year is that, at some point in their lives, they will look back on the weeks and days leading up to the holidays as some of their fondest memories of the season, even more so than the big days. I think the older I get, the more I agree with myself. It’s the last-minute dinner with friends, gift shopping in the rain, long drives in search of holiday lights, and the quiet times we find ourselves lost in a moment–whether it’s a belly laugh to make you feel young again, the taste of your favorite holiday delight, or the warmth of a hug. These are the memories I look back on with fondness more than the big day.
In the spirit of that, I’ve come up with a foolproof holiday cheer for you this holiday season, and it all starts with wine. How can any evening go wrong with wine, right? And to keep things simple, let’s get to the basics of what wine Lake County is best known for – Sauvignon Blanc! Seriously, you can’t go wrong with a Lake County-grown Sauv Blanc, whether you’re serving it with turkey or an appetizer. It’s also the perfect hostess gift.
And to add to the fun, may I humbly suggest a wine tasting with friends? Here’s how you do it: choose three or four local varietals of Sauv Blanc, crack them open surrounded by food, and compare them to each other with your friends. Find the subtle differences each wine offers, its nuances, and what tastes best with each food. It’s a win-win because no one is wrong; rather, everyone is right. It’s also a great conversation starter, and it somehow feels luxurious and indulgent, not only for you as the host to offer the experience, but also for your guests. And no, you don’t have to finish all the open bottles, but I recommend having a backup of everything you open, just in case one is a hit for everyone!
And in the theme of keeping things simple, while already doing your holiday shopping at your nearest locally owned grocery store, you can pick up local wine at three different Hardesters locations, Foods Etc., or Bruno’s Shop Smart.
And if you are looking to impress your out-of-town friends, you can’t go wrong taking them to a wine tasting for a truly curated experience.
Here are six great Lake County wine experiences:
- If you want to wow someone not only with excellent local wine but also with the atmosphere, you can’t go wrong with the opulent Brassfiend Estate Winery. Not only is the tasting room beautiful, but its garden and grounds will also impress, if the weather permits. Add a picnic and watch and see just how fast an afternoon can pass.
- For the view, you will ooh and awe every guest you take to Wild Diamond Vineyards – with a nearly 360-degree mountain-top vista far beyond Lake County, it’s hard not to be amazed.
- For a view a little closer to earth but just as majestic, Lajour Estate Winery offers rolling hills of vineyard with Mount Konocti as the backdrop. Stellar red soil leaves no one wondering why Lake County wines stand out from our neighboring counties.
- If you’re looking to meet the owner and often the winemaker as well, you can’t beat a tasting experience at Rosa D’Oro Vineyards and Winery, where a trophy room doubles as a tasting room, and casual conversation with the family makes every bottle purchased mean something so much more than what’s just in your glass.
- And since you’re already in the area, swing by Fore Family Winery. On weekends, this family opens its tasting room not only to pour exceptional wine but also proudly displays local artists, bringing the perfect pairing of wine and art.
- And of course, one can’t go wrong visiting Six Sigma Ranch and Winery, a working ranch that weaves between their estate vineyards. It’s somehow the perfect blend of unapologetic hard work combined with some rather fine wine for a come-as-you-are experience. And yes, it’s okay if you feed Topper their pig. He’s especially fond of acorns and scratches on the back of the ears.
But I promise you this, wherever you go, nothing will shine brighter on your holiday table or wine tasting glass than a Lake County Sauvignon Blanc. Cheers!
And it’s never too soon to join the Lake County EDC in their second annual: Eat, Drink, Shop Local campaign. Learn more here!
