So you want to live The Good Life?

One simple question. Are you 21 years or older?

Most Definitely! Not yet.
All who enter The Good Life, via the Internet or in person, must be 21 years or older. Thank you!
  • Sunday–Wednesday 12pm–9pm Friday–Saturday 12pm–11pm

Blog

Thanksgiving Beer and Wine Pairing

By Lisa Mesa on Nov 04, 2023 in The Good Life
Thanksgiving 2021 Beer and Wine Pairing

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 Uncle Larry 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 Loubud Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine, Santa Rita Hills $72

Holiday baking spices waft from the glass along with baked pear and orange rind.

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 pair with the main meal.  They offer companion notes of strawberry, white raspberry, brioche, and Granny Smith apple and they tend to accentuate cranberry flavors.  We all know that bubbles are a GREAT palate cleanser.

White Wines

2022 Seagrape Sauvignon Blanc, Los Olivos District $32

Firts Production!  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.

Red Wines

Pinot Noir

2017 Brophy Clark Pinot Noir, Santa Maria $40

Rich and lush with notes of dried cherries, plum, tobacco and spice.

2015 Mail Road Mt. Carmel Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills $100

Notes of black cherry, plum, spice leather and menthol.  Powerful!

2018 Gogi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills $80

Tea, blood orange, savory spice meld together perfectly

2015 Mail Road Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills $100

Black cherry, plum, spice, leather and menthol.  A powerful Pinot Noir

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

2018 Brophy Clark GSM, Santa Maria Valley $36

FINAL VINTAGE!  Aromas of blackberry, plum jam and blueberry cheese cake.  Flavors mimick the aromas with a hind of smokiness.

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

2020 Boutz Cellars Bourbon Barrel Aged Zinfandel, Paso Robles $41

Plush red fruit like strawberry, red cherry and a hint of black pepper.  The bourbon barrels add distinct flavors of toasted toffee and vanilla.

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

2021 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.

2017 Kimsey Syrah, Ballard Canyon $80

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

Thanksgiving 2021 Beer and Wine Pairing

Festbier/Marzen

Antigua Brewing "Jawoll! Festbier 16 oz 4pk $28/24

Oakland United "Bier Town" Marzen 16 oz 4pk $28/24

Marzen & slightly lighter Festbiers are fantastic with Turkey and honey glazed ham, as well as most of the sides served along with them.  Light in body but rich in dark nutty flavor and just enough bitterness to keep those taste buds alert and ready for the next bite/sip!

Lager

Olfactory "Helles Coastal" Helles 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

North Coast Brewing "Brother Thelonious" Belgian style Abbey Ale 12 oz 6pk $28/24

Dubbel, Old Ale, Belgian style strong Dark 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

"Coming Soon to Club"

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

Single Fin Hard Apple Cider 16 oz $4pk $28/24

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!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

* indicates required