People
The Wines Our Team Is Pouring This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is synonymous with delicious foods and flavors—and for serious wine lovers, what’s enjoyed in the glass is just as important as what’s on the table. However, finding go-to wine styles and grape varieties isn’t as complicated as it may seem. Not sure where to begin? Our expert team is ready to lead the way. Check out which bottles our Sommsation crew will be pulling the corks on for Thanksgiving dinner here. Get your glasses ready!
“This Thanksgiving, I will be drinking a lot of white wine! High acid, light, and refreshing whites.
My in-laws drink mostly white, and I want to create a fun pairing experience with only white wine to show them that it is also possible; my plan is to get bottles of Albariño, Torrontés from Argentina, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Blanc from Alsace, and Chenin Blanc to showcase different styles and remind them that white wine is so food friendly, as well as perfect at any time of the year.” – Hugo Arias Sanchez, Lead Sommelier and Brand Ambassador
“I love exploring new pairings Hugo has been suggesting! I also keep a bottle of Ladera Pinot or a Willamette Valley Chardonnay on hand; Willamette producers have really shown me that they’re doing something special with Chard in the valley!” – Crystal Langley, Vice President of Design & Creative
“Sparkling wines are always on our Thanksgiving table. This year, I’m reaching for Amista NV Brut Nature Rose Sparkling Syrah. For reds, I’ll be pouring Zinfandel and Pinot Noir, particularly Florence Vineyard Rockpile Reserve Zinfandel 2022 and Authentique Keeler Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017.” – Lauren Magee, Chief Product Officer
“This year, I am going to aim for some dry Rieslings and a new one for me, Gamay. I'll also have some bubbles for people when they arrive—because who doesn't like bubbles?” – Joey Lamugsa, Product Manager
“Nothing we’re going to be drinking is necessarily specific to what we’re eating, but rather to what we have on deck and love to drink! So probably lots of bubbles and Oregon wines, as we’ll be spending Thanksgiving in Oregon—definitely some Italian wines thrown into the mix too, since they’re my Mom’s favorite.” – Victoria Love, Sommelier
“We'll have an eclectic mix of wine open on Thanksgiving, but with dinner we will drink Oregon Pinot Noir and Barolo—oh, and probably Riesling for the white/sweet wine lovers in our family!” Lindsay Koblitz, Sommelier
“I’ll definitely be starting with a Viognier as it’s one of my favorite whites for the holidays (but honestly, anytime of the year it’s great). It’s rich and aromatic but still super fresh, so it pairs perfectly with creamy sides, appetizers, and anything that needs a little brightness. Then I’ll open a Grenache, one of my favorite reds this time of year. I don’t like heavy reds with my food, and Grenache is the perfect balance. Bright, juicy, and super versatile, great with turkey, stuffing, or honestly anything on the table.” - Erika Peterson, Marketing & Acquisition Manager
“I’m Riesling’s #1 fan, so I’ll definitely be buying a few bottles to continue my quest to turn everyone else into a Riesling fan. I’ll also get some Pinot Noir from Oregon, preferably with a tiny bit of age on it.” – Lindsay Mericka, Marketing Director at Sommsation
“To me, nothing beats an Oregon Pinot Noir, and Thanksgiving time is the best time to drink one! This season, I'm going with the Pinot Noir from Ricochet.” - Jaiven Smith, Creative Designer
“For Thanksgiving, I’ll be starting with a sparkling rosé, as it’s festive and versatile. I keep hearing great things about Gamay, and while I’m not as familiar with it, this feels like the perfect time to finally give it a try.” – Danielle Diliberti, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
“When it comes to big meals and large crowds, I tend to reach for wines that I know pair well with a variety of foods and preferences—cue rosés, bubbles, and chillable reds! I love Gamay for all of Thanksgiving’s signature dishes and flavors, as well as dry Riesling, Chenin Blanc, and of course, sparkling.” - Vicki Denig, Content Contributor
“For Thanksgiving, I'll be popping a mix of wines that can stand up to the richness of the meal but still keep things lively at the table. My family and I drink a lot of big Napa Cabernets and Bordeaux-style blends, so those are always front and center; there's just something about those deep, structured, dark-fruited wines that feels perfect for a holiday feast. I also love opening a Rhône-style white or Viognier for a richer, aromatic white option that pairs beautifully with turkey, stuffing, and all the sides—and because it's a celebration, I always start things off with something bubbly to kick off the day with a festive pop. Overall, I like to keep it balanced: a few bold reds for the Cabernet lovers, something elegant and food-friendly for the whole table, and a bit of sparkle to set the tone.” - Karl Herzer, Sommelier
“Thanksgiving is one of those times where getting a chance to just open up the wine fridge and go nuts with friends and family is always more fun to me than trying to be very prescriptive about specific pairings. I do always like to have cru Beaujolais on the table for the main event, but it's not a hill I'll die on by any means. I'm far more interested in sharing a bottle I've been curious about with my friends and family than stressing about the perfect pairing. Cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are always on the docket, but you also need plenty of Sauvignon Blanc, bubbles, and rosé to keep things interesting.” - Joe Pfeifer, E-commerce Director
From our Sommsation family to yours, we wish you a joyful (and wine-filled) Thanksgiving holiday!
