Six Wines for the Winter Holidays
For this season’s Notables, I considered the ritual of celebrations and how wine is often the perfect pairing for food when we sit down together and share a meal. It can mark the coming and going of harvest, a Thanksgiving get together with family and friends, any combination of winter holidays and that final toast to welcome the New Year.
I reached out to Doug Trantow, owner of the Good Land Wine Shop and Bar, for six locally produced wines of note that punch above their price and pair well with traditional holiday fare. Here are his recommendations.
Matilija Wine 2023 Albariño ($37)
Matilija is the label Wynne Sargeant—formerly of Peake Ranch and more recently Brave & Maiden—created with her husband, Cody. Their Albariño uses grapes sourced from the Santa Maria Valley, resulting in a wine that’s versatile, zippy and refreshing. It “goes with almost everything,” says Doug, making it ideal for a delightfully chaotic potluck dinner party, a sit-down celebratory meal or keeping on hand at home.
Dunites Wine Company 2024 Pét-Nat ($35)
A geographical outlier but still influenced by similar coastal conditions is our neighbor to the north, San Luis Obispo County. The label takes its name after the Dunites, a commune of eclectic freethinkers who settled in the sand dunes near Pismo Beach. Like most sparkling wines, this one is for all forms of celebration: a welcoming toast, sipping throughout the party and ringing in the New Year. Being a pétillant naturel, it is lightly effervescent, unfiltered and will introduce you to the low-intervention style that has often divided the opinions of wine lovers. “Everyone who tries it loves it and buys a bottle,” says Doug.
Clementine Carter 2022 Graciano Nouveau ($36)
If you like a traditional Beaujolais Nouveau to mark the winter holidays, give this locally produced Graciano from Sonja Magdevski a try. This wine is fun, fresh and ready to drink now! It’s best served with a little chill on it, so put it on ice about 15 minutes before the guests show up.
The Hilt 2022 Pinot Noir ($95)
Winemaker Matt Dees produces this Pinot Noir exclusively at the Bentrock Vineyard estate. According to Doug, it is a near-perfect representation of the Sta. Rita Hills terroir, influenced by the cool Pacific climate and complex geography. When you want to proudly show up with the prestige bottle to your most loved hosts, this one is sure to impress.
Dusty Nabor 2024 Pinot Noir ($39)
Winemaker Dusty Nabor sources his grapes from the Sta. Rita Hills and while his single-vineyard Pinots go for $95, this one comes in under $40. Pinot Noir is the darling of this region for good reasons: This one “is light and delicate, with freshness and wonderful savory elements,” says Doug, “and it pairs well with main dishes like turkey, salmon and pork.”
Acolytes 2023 Chardonnay ($35)
This is a Chardonnay for people who don’t like Chardonnay, made by winemaker Dave Phinney. Doug describes it as “White jasmine and orange blossom on the nose; a touch of white apricot and green apple ascend into a bright finish. It goes well with roast chicken, shrimp or sole in a butter sauce.”
