As Thanksgiving approaches, our shelves are stocked with everything you need to make this year’s feast unforgettable. From the ultimate turkey pairing—rosé Champagne—to crowd-pleasing reds, elegant whites, and festive cocktails, our buyers have curated a collection to match every palate and plate. Whether you’re hosting, gifting, or simply savoring the season, this guide is your roadmap to a table filled with flavor, gratitude, and great wine.
Read MoreEight new wines are hitting the Open Cellar machines, and they couldn’t be better timed for the season. Think textural whites for crisp evenings, generous reds for hearty meals, and a few aged treasures ready to steal the show at your Thanksgiving table. Come taste them at any of our stores and find your next favorite bottle for fall.
Read MoreThis week, we’re officially kicking off our Thanksgiving planning. Halloween is in the rearview mirror; Hannukah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa are just far enough away that we don’t have to wrap our brains around gifting quite yet… No elves on the shelves, but our rally bird is out in Redwood City—it’s the perfect time to talk turkey.
Read MoreThere is no better way to explore the style and terroir of Champagne than drinking vintage-declared wines. Since Champagne houses only declare a vintage when the season produces fruit of the highest quality, it is truly special to experience a vintage bottling.
Read MoreWhile I enjoy splurging on a few fancy bottles for Thanksgiving itself, for Friendsgiving, I typically hunt for more affordable wines that punch well above their price point. We don’t want to break the bank, but we want everyone to enjoy the wine. That’s one reason I keep returning to the wines of New Zealand and Australia for Friendsgiving. They’re incredibly delicious, appeal to a wide range of tastes, and consistently offer extraordinary value for the price. Here are some of the wines we’ll be serving at our Friendsgiving this year:
Read MoreI love to cook so I was also an early adopter of Friendsgiving. For many years, I have been hosting them at my home (or at friends’ homes) where I prepare a meal. I usually plan a themed meal around my Friendsgiving since I already get to do all the traditional stuff on regular Thanksgiving. I always deconstruct turkeys for my Friendsgivings and make a variety of dishes using various turkey parts. I always make a turkey Bolognese and have made other things like tom kha gai turkey soup or a turkey paitan ramen (that’s like Tonkotsu ramen but with a creamy turkey broth). I even served turkey stuffing gyoza as an appetizer for the ramen dinner! Last year, I did a brunch themed Friendsgiving which I now call Brunch-giving—maybe it will stick.
Read MoreWe know the feeling. It happens every year. Before we know it, the holidays are upon us, and it's time to start planning for multiple feasts and days filled with entertaining friends and family. Our buying guide takes the guesswork out of your wine selections with expertly chosen candidates for any table and any food pairing, all selected by our team of buyers, who will be pouring these proven performers at their own holiday tables this year.
Read MoreIn the world of Spanish wine there is a quiet revolution occurring, not unlike what is happening in some parts of France and the U.S. Winemakers young and old are challenging their regional traditions and making lighter, fresher wines than their parents or grandparents did.
Read MoreWhen I think of being thankful this time of year, one of the first things that pops into my mind is my gratitude to the farmers who feed us and grow the grapes for the wines that make our lives so much better. The first person who comes to mind is Paul-Vincent Ariston, the boss at Champagne Aspasie in the tiny village of Brouillet. He is one of the hardest working men I know, and one of the most patient. At home this year we will be starting off our Thanksgiving festivities with his excellent Ariston Aspasie "Réserve" Brut Champagne $34.99.
Read MoreThanksgiving is a marathon, not a sprint! The only other day that can hold a candle to Thanksgiving for sheer endurance eating is Christmas. But on Christmas Day there are presents and other distractions to draw your attention away from the food. On Thanksgiving the primary purpose of the day is to feast on as much delicious food and wine as possible while you hang out with your loved ones.
Read MoreRecently, our Buyer Keith Mabry introduced us to the wines of Patrice Colin, a new Direct Import producer who specializes in Pineau d’Aunis, and the grape came into laser focus for me. Seriously, they’re intensely delicious and interesting wines. If you’re craving a rich Cab, they might not be your thing, but if you’d like to try something a little off the beaten path that still delivers immense drinking pleasure at the table, pick up a few of these bottles—they’re a great value, all around the $15 mark.
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