WTF to pair with your Thanksgiving: Part 1, the Classics
Crux, Jolie-Laide, Ryme, Idlewild, Sosie and Iron Horse
Oh, this one was fun to write. There’s endless debate about what to pour with Thanksgiving dinner — and for good reason. There’s just so much going on at that table. The turkey is (let’s face it) a bit bland and easily overshadowed; the potatoes, green beans, and stuffing are so drenched in butter and cream they could power the state of Wisconsin; and then there’s the cornbread, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes, which are so sweet the sugar industry should really be sending Thanksgiving a thank-you card every year.
So what on earth can you pour alongside this glorious smorgasbord of overindulgence?
A few rules — or rather, anti-rules. First: avoid wines with too much tannin or body. Big reds (looking at you, Cab) tend to overpower the more delicate flavors on the plate.
Second: avoid wines that are too precious. Thanksgiving is loud, buttery, and chaotic. Your $150 Pinot Noir — however perfectly structured, complex, and heartbreakingly beautiful — will simply get lost in the gravy. Save it for a quieter night when it can shine.
So, with that, this post is a two-parter. This week, we’re tackling the classic Thanksgiving pairings — the tried, true, and utterly crowd-pleasing. Next week, we’ll get a little more... experimental.
I’ve highlighted six Sonoma wineries below, each with multiple bottles that sing with Thanksgiving flavors. If you find yourself up north in the coming weeks, any one of them would make a stellar stop to stock up for the big feast.
Iron Horse, Sosie, Crux, Ryme, Idlewild and Jolie-Laide
The Diplomatic Sparkling Wines
If there’s one wine that refuses to pick sides at Thanksgiving, it’s sparkling wine. Its balance of fruit, acid, and texture makes it a true diplomat — equally at home with cranberry sauce, candied yams, or that third helping of stuffing. And those bubbles? They’re not just for show. They literally scrub your palate clean between bites, keeping everything bright, zippy, and ready for round two (or five).
A couple of Sonoma standouts rise above the fray: Sosie Wines and Iron Horse Vineyards.
Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut – Classic, refined, and about as close to Champagne as Sonoma gets. Elegant citrus and brioche notes give it that timeless appeal. If you’re pouring for a crowd or for tradition’s sake, this is your glass of gold.
Sosie Sparkling Rosé of Syrah – A little more playful, this one brings crisp bubbles and red-fruit brightness to the table. It’s got the same cleansing acidity as a classic sparkler, but with hints of strawberry, pomegranate, and spice that tie together turkey, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes in one happy mouthful.
Classic Whites
If we’re talking about pairing wines with the star of the show (and yes, I can already hear the debate about whether turkey really deserves that title), let’s aim for whites that are crisp, high-acid, and refreshingly unsmothered by oak. The goal: wines that cut through the gravy, lift the butter, and keep the whole meal from collapsing into a rich, beige blur.
A few that do it beautifully:
Crux Winery’s Grenache Blanc – bright and aromatic, while still citrusy and mineral– lively enough to slice through mashed potatoes and gravy while still being generous enough to flatter the turkey. Try also the Viognier which brings stone fruit and florals for a little extra holiday charm (particularly nice with a light squash soup).
Ryme Cellars “Hers” Vermentino or Fiano – Both are stellar Thanksgiving whites. The Vermentino is saline and zesty, like a squeeze of lemon over the meal. The Fiano bursts with white peach, citrus zest, and bracing acidity, finishing with that textural grip that makes it perfect for herb-infused stuffing and savory sides.
Idlewild Cortese or Arneis – If you want to wander off the beaten path (and honestly, who doesn’t once the second bottle’s open), Idlewild’s Italian-varietal whites are worth the detour. Their Cortese and Arneis emphasize vibrant fruit, savory undertones, and beautiful structure — basically Thanksgiving’s herbal, buttery chaos tamed in a glass. But truly, anything they pour would work. Try them all and decide for yourself; you won’t regret it.
Rosés That Punch Above Their Weight
Another Thanksgiving classic? A bolder rosé — something with enough body and texture to stand up to all those rich, assertive flavors. Forget the delicate summer sippers; this is rosé season with muscle.
Two to seek out this year:
Crux Winery Rosé (GSM Blend) – Made from Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre, this rosé leans fuller-bodied, with lovely red-fruit aromatics and a subtle spice. It’s got the structure to hold its own against turkey (especially with a generous spoonful of cranberry sauce) and enough freshness to keep the meal feeling bright.
Jolie-Laide Pinot Gris (Skin-Contact) – Okay, technically not a rosé, but it behaves like one with swagger. The light skin contact gives this wine its copper hue and that extra textural weight to punch right through Thanksgiving dinner. Aromas of strawberry and white tea play beautifully with the herbal notes in your meal. Bonus points: you can currently grab this bottle at Epicurian in SF — a Sonoma-worthy pairing that doesn’t even require a drive up Highway 12.
Flattering Reds
Classic, fruit-forward, lighter reds are the unsung heroes of Thanksgiving. Their bright acidity cuts through the richness; their juicy, often herbal fruit complements the sweet-savory chaos on the table.
Thanksgiving isn’t a steak dinner — it’s a glorious mash-up of salty, sweet, tangy, and herby, all piled on one plate. Big, tannic wines (sorry, Cab) tend to steamroll those nuances, while lighter reds — Pinot Noir, Gamay, Grenache, or Trousseau — play nice. Think cherry, cranberry, and pomegranate — the same flavor family that already shows up in your meal.
A few standouts to consider:
Crux Winery Grenache & GSM Blend – Fruit-driven with a subtle herbaceous note that works wonders with Thanksgiving herbs. The medium-to-full body and chewy tannins make it a natural fit for herb-rubbed turkey, roasted root vegetables, or even smoked meats. And if there’s a ham on your table, this pairing will absolutely sing.
Jolie-Laide Gamay Noir – Light, fresh, and full of wild strawberry and summer herbs — it’s basically Thanksgiving in a glass. Chill it slightly and watch it charm everyone at the table.
Idlewild Flora & Fauna, Dolcetto, Barbera)– All three lean savory and herbal, with that Italian-inspired lift Idlewild does so well. They pair beautifully with sage stuffing, rosemary-rubbed turkey, and mushroom-heavy sides. Moderate tannins mean they complement, rather than compete with, the food — no palate wrestling required.
Stock up from these Sonoma favorites, pour generously, and remember: the only real pairing mistake is running out .
Next week, we’ll ditch the diplomacy and talk the wild cards — the skin contacts, the sparklers with attitude, and the bottles that make your uncle raise an eyebrow before asking for a second glass. Cheers!
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And now, all the essentials on this week’s wineries
Iron Horse Vineyards
Iron Horse is best known for its elegant, méthode champenoise sparkling wines, famously poured at the 1985 Reagan-Gorbachev Summit, and famous ever since. Founded by the Sterling family in 1976, it remains family-run today, with Audrey Sterling (now 95!) still living on the property. The sparkling lineup is crisp, nuanced, and well balanced, and tasting them side by side at different sweetness levels is an excellent way to zero in on what you really love in bubbles. Meanwhile, the estate Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs showcase the cool-climate freshness of this corner of Sonoma. Big producer by my usual standards, yes—but this one really is a fun visit.
Tasting Experience
An al fresco bar perched atop a hill, overlooking 300 acres of rolling vine-covered hills with Mt. St. Helena in the distance. The vibe is relaxed, convivial, and a touch “old west”—more picnic table and patio than polished tasting salon. It’s mostly stand-up tastings, though you can reserve a table for a picnic (the best option, in my opinion). Either way, between the setting, the views, and the bubbles, Iron Horse makes for a delightful visit.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Chardonnay
🍷 Red: Pinot Noir
Other Essentials
📍 Sebastopol ↗
🍷📅✅ Book a Tasting ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: ($70-$100) | 📅💲 Tastings: $35+
Sosie Wines
French for “twin,” Sosie crafts small-lot wines with Old-World finesse, focusing on French varietals like Roussanne and Syrah. Their wines are all about elegance—high acidity, lower alcohol, and serious restraint. Their selection of sparkling wines (made in the French Champagne method, obviously) are delightful, and doing a white, rose, red sparkling tasting felt perfect on a sunny afternoon.
Tasting Experience
A charming and unfussy tasting room in a courtyard in downtown Sonoma. You can mix and match white, sparkling, and red wines in the tasting.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Roussanne
🍷 Red: Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, GSM
Other Essentials
🔗 Sosie Wines ↗
📍 Sonoma ↗
🍷📅✅ Book a Tasting ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $30+
Crux Winery
Brian and Steve are crafting Rhônes and Zins that wear their California heritage on their sleeve. My personal favorites, the GSM and Grenache lean into ripe fruit and herbal nuance—there’s an almost eucalyptus-like note on the Grenache that’s pure California magic. Meanwhile, their Mourvèdres, Zins, and Petite Sirahs are definitely more serious, offering luxurious fruit grounded by bright acidity and restrained alcohol. Definitely opt to taste one of the older vintages if Brian and Steve offer.
Tasting Experience
No chandeliers or marble bars here. You’re tasting right in the barrel room, often with Brian or Steve pouring the wines themselves. It’s casual, old-school, and deeply personal.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Viognier, Grenache Blanc
🍷 Red: GSM, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel
Other Essentials
🔗 Crux Winery ↗
📍 Geyserville ↗
🍷📅✅ Book a Tasting ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $+
Ryme
To prove that Sonoma isn’t just Chardonnay and Pinot, husband-and-wife team Ryan and Megan Glaab craft distinctive wines from rare Italian varietals and other unconventional grapes, all with a minimal-intervention approach. Think native yeasts, neutral oak, the occasional skin contact, and a decidedly old-world sensibility. The results are fresh, textural wines with moderate alcohol and plenty of personality. Their playful “His” and “Hers” Vermentino bottlings say it all: Hers is whole-cluster pressed and bottled early for brightness and energy, while His gets a skin-ferment and longer time in barrel, yielding depth and grip.
Tasting Experience
The tasting room, housed in a historic Forestville building, is as relaxed as their wines. With rustic-chic charm, indoor-outdoor seating, and a welcoming vibe that extends to kids and dogs, —ideal for wine lovers who are serious, but like their tastings served with a side of approachability.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Vermentino
🍷 Red: Grenache, Pinot Noir, Aglianico, Sangiovese, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon
Other Essentials
🔗 Ryme ↗
📍 Forestville ↗
🍷📅✅ Book a Tasting ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $35+
Idlewild
Idlewild is the passion project of winemaker Sam Bilbro, focused entirely on Piamontese (northern Italian) grape varietals. We’re talking Timorasso, Erbaluce, Freisa, Grignolino— honestly, I’ve not heard of them either. Idlewild leans hard into an old-world ethos: minimal intervention, native yeast fermentations, sustainable farming, and little to no new oak. The goal? Honoring these unusual varietals. It’s no surprise that Idlewild has earned a cult following among sommeliers and adventurous wine lovers alike.
Tasting Experience
Idlewild’s tasting room, tucked into downtown Healdsburg, is cozy, unfussy, and refreshingly down to earth. Thoughtfully curated flights, stories about obscure grapes you’ll want to remember, and a generous board of salumi and cheese that pairs just right. It’s like your favorite neighborhood wine bar got really into Piemonte <insert Italian accent here>.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Arneis, Cortese, Vermentino, Erbaluce, Muscat, Timorraso
🍷 Red: Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Freisa, Grignolino, Brachetto
Other Essentials
🔗 Idlewild ↗
📍 Healdsburg ↗
🍷📅✅ Book a Tasting ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $30+
Jolie-Laide
Jolie-Laide is a tiny, two-person operation run by winemaker Scott Schultz and his partner Jenny, producing only ~500 cases of wine per year under their own label. The name “Jolie-Laide” translates to “Pretty-Ugly,” a French term for unconventional beauty – fitting for a winery known for highly sought-after natural wines made with minimal intervention. Another unique aspect of Jolie-Laide is its artistic flair: the bottle labels change with every vintage, each year featuring different artwork or artists.
Tasting Experience
Tastings are held in the production space, it’s industrial but charming. Guests get an informal, intimate tasting often hosted by the winemaker. The winery also hosts special events and pop-up tastings throughout the year.
Notable Varietals
🥂 White: Trousseau Gris, Pinot Gris, Aligote
🍷 Red: Syrah, Trousseau Noir, Cabernet Pfeffer
Other Essentials
🔗 Jolie-Laide ↗
📍 Sonoma ↗
🍷📅✅ Book a Tasting ↗
🍾💲 Median Bottle: $$$ ($40-$70) | 📅💲 Tastings: $40+
Yes! Their wines are so unique to California!
Love love love Crux!