Thanksgiving is all about coming together, finding balance and enjoying the variety.  This is true in our beverages, our foods and of course, our guests.  So many flavors, emotions and memories are set together around one table and it can be overwhelming.  You many find yourself looking at your guest list, grocery list, and prep list and think "where do I begin"?

While we can't stop your uncle from talking politics or prevent your sister from telling everyone who will listen about her new plant based lifestyle, we can help you with your beer and wine selections and who knows, everyone might be so impressed with how well your food and beverages get along that they might just decide they can too!  We think our selections are just that good!

Sparkling Wine and Rose

2018 Coeur Sparkling Blanc de Blanc, Santa Maria Valley $70

100% Chardonnay from Solomon Hills.  Delicate notes of fresh fruit and citrus with tiny ribbon bubbles (only 1/2 barrel produced)

2022 Kimsey Rose of Grenache, Ballard Canyon $40

Notes of pink grapefruit, watermelon rind and Chamomile flowers and Hibiscus tea.

Sparkling Wines and Rose are the perfect start to a fabulous gathering.  They are bold enough to stand with multiple flavors and we all know that bubbles are a GREAT palate cleanser.

White Wines

2023 Seagrape Sauvignon Blanc, Los Olivos District $32

Refreshing flavors of passion fruit, grannysmith apples, lemongrass and gravelly minerality.

Sauvignon Blanc is great with all kinds of vegetable dishes like brussel sprouts, green beans, and asparagus.  This wine can go where very few other wines can.  It's also a great palate cleanser when up against a table filled with rich foods.

2023 Willing and Able Riesling, Santa Barbara Co. $45

Notes of apricot, citrus and wet stone with a beautiful minerality.  Dry with a round mid palate and a crisp acidity.

A dry Riesling is classic choice for the Thanksgiving table.  The acidity provides a nice contrast to rich flavors.  Notes of apple, apricot and honey pair very well with all the flavors of fall as well as spicy, salty and sweet dishes.

Red Wines

Pinot Noir

2020 Fennell Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills $41

Notes of Raspberry, cranberry and rhubarb with dusty clay, soked black tea and earthy tones of sage and wet stone.

2018 Gogi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills $90

Tea, blood orange, savory spice meld together perfectly

Pinot Noir is the classic Thanksgiving wine pairing as it works so well in a variety of situations.  If you are serving Turkey, it works with both light and dark meat.  It pairs with simple seasoning as well as heavier cream based dishes and it accentuates cranberry flavors.

Rhone Blends

2023 Amevive "Ravie" GSM, Santa Barbara Co. $48

60% Grenache, 30% Syrah and 10% Mourvedre.  Red punch, crunchy stem and fresh white cherries with nice structure.

2018 J. Dirt Grenache/Syrah Blend, Edna Valley $56

Aromas of dark, red fruit, leather and a hint of oak.  Plum, boysenberry, and char with firm tannins

Traditional Rhone blends incorporate Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre.  With flavors of fig and dried berries from older bottlings pair with stuffing and squash while bolder bottlings work great with smoked Turkey.  Their earthy, meaty quality accentuates the savory quality in foods.

Zinfandel

2016 Felten Cellars Zinfandel, Paso Robles $36

Jammy aromas of blueberry with complex notes of anise and pepper.  Medium body with notes of strawberry perserves and a hint of mocha.

Long considered "California's Red Wine grape", Zin amplifies spices like clove, cinnamon and all spice.  Zinfandel is bold, rich, adds smokiness and is typically higher in alcohol.  With all this going on it pairs very well with dark meat and heavy, rich foods.

Other notable pairings

2022 Le Pecheur Chenin Blanc, Los Olivos District $32

Pairs perfectly with honey baked ham.  The high acidity cuts through rich dishes and the effervescence cleanses the palate.

2018 Kimsey Syrah, Ballard Canyon $100

2017 Crown Point Cabernet Sauvignon, Happy Canyon $150

While Cabernet Sauvignon is a classic pairing for Prime Rib, Syrah is a great match with notes of blue fruit, peppery spice and a hint of smokiness.

Independent Craft Beer

Lager

Dokkabier "Kalo" Mexican style Lager 16 oz 4pk $28/24

The refreshing carbonation will cut through the richness of the foods on your table keeping your palate clean and ready for the next bite

Belgian styles

Antigua Brewing "Magnus" Belgian style Golden Strong Ale $22  22oz

Dubbel, Old Ale, Belgian style strong are all perfect partners for foods like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing and Turkey.  There is just enough sweetness to be served with pecan pie.

Porter

Dokkabier "Chuseok" Porter $28/4pk 16 oz

Porter was made for dessert and a wide variety at that.  From Pumpkin Pie, Pecan Pie, and anything chocolate.  Light body with notes of coffee blend so well with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and the toasty flavors tame the sweetness of dessert.

Cider

Horse & Plow Farmhouse Cider 750ml $20

Apples are the poster child for fall making Cider the perfect accompaniment to everything on your Thanksgiving table.  Dry, semi dry and sweet, they are all fair game and can be served at different times through out the meal. 

We hope that you find something wonderful and inspiring in this years guide.  We have so many delicious options here in the shop that it was difficult to try to narrow it down to just a few.   No need to stress, we've done the work for you so you can relax and enjoy the day with family and friends.

From the Good Life family to you and yours, Cheers!