If you’re looking for something great to pair with your holiday feasts, look no further. Lake County has an abundance of high-quality wines. It’s all because of our unique volcanic terroir, the secret that makes Lake County unique. Here are eight recommendations to make any meal better.
WHITE WINES
If you want a wine to pair with turkey, Lake County has plenty. Any of these choices fits perfectly with everything from poultry to pork.
- Chacewater Vineyards 2023 Organic Sauvignon Blanc: Lake County is known for its Sauvignon Blanc, and Chacewater creates an exceptional one. It’s fragrant with citrus hints and a tart aroma in the bouquet. The crispness is balanced by the tang and fullness of apricots that wind across the palate.
- Cache Creek 2023 Chardonnay: This Chardonnay is surprisingly smooth and balanced, revealing questions at first about whether it is indeed a chardonnay. Apple, pear, and peach blend to bring out the fullness of this wine in the finish.
- Clay Shannon 2023 Sauvignon Blanc: Shannon Ridge’s finest Sauvignon Blanc, this wine is filled with aromas of stone fruit, citrus, and herbs. Each sip begins dry and bright and ends crisp, leaving the palate clean and refreshed.
- Mt. Konocti Winery 2016 Sauvignon Blanc: This fruit-forward, citrus-heavy wine draws the best out of poultry. Heavy notes of grapefruit, lemon, and starfruit brush across the palate, leaving you with a clean, bright finish.
RED WINES
If you prefer reds for the holidays, here are some great red wine pairings for both poultry and red meat.
- Olof Cellars 2014 Nebbiolo: An unusual varietal, Nebbiolo is a bigger wine but incredibly versatile. These finicky Italian grapes love to be eaten with food, and a mouthwatering steak with a red-wine reduction will complement it delightfully. But you can chill it as well. When chilled, Olof’s Nebbiolo pairs incredibly well with chicken, ham, turkey, and pork.
- Six Sigma Ranch and Winery 2019 Tempranillo, Christian’s Reserve: There’s a reason Napa buys so many grapes from Lake County, and that reason resides in this glass. The first taste is jammy, with hints of cherry and spice. Then the mineral moves in. It’s the terroir talking, sharing a bit of itself in your wine. The finish circles back to the bouquet and lingers on your tongue like a beautiful day on the ranch.
- Laujor Estate Winery 2018 Petite Sirah: This wine has a profound complexity that demands your attention. The bouquet brings heavy notes of spice and hints of oak. Then the fruits move across the palate, dark and rich. It’s the kind of wine that hangs around for a bit and says, “Thanks for drinking me. Try another sip.”
- Fore Family 2019 Mourvedre: Gentler than a Cabernet Sauvignon, The Mourvedre sits round on the palate. Soft oak notes ease the minerality and raspberry tartness. If you’re into eating while you drink, it’s the answer to your wine question.
The best places to pick up many of these wines in Lake County are at Hardesters, Brunos, and Foods, Etc. If you can’t find them there, no worries! You can always make a trip to the winery and make a day of it.
