Sip, Savor, Celebrate: Wines for the Perfect Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a feast built on tradition, celebration, and some of the tastiest flavors of the year. Whether your table leans classic or creative, the right wine can bring every dish to life. At LifeSource, we’re proud to carry an exceptional selection from beloved local wineries, small sustainable producers, and thoughtful makers from around the world.
Thanksgiving Wine Pairings
To help you choose the perfect bottles for your holiday table, our Beer and Wine Buyer, Joe Boston, has handpicked a selection of our standout wines, each chosen for how they complement Thanksgiving’s rich, savory, and seasonal flavors. From bright, food-friendly whites to bold reds and festive bubbles, his recommendations cover every course.
No matter what you’re cooking, or who you’re welcoming to the table, there’s a perfect pour to match the moment. Let’s explore Joe’s top Thanksgiving pairings.
Red
Anne Amie Passetoutgrains
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Pairs with ham and grilled vegetables
Pinot Noir is a classic holiday table red, and Gamay goes with everything. Combine the two and you get a powerhouse of holiday wine. This blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Gamay Noir is from select plots in the Willamette Valley. It pairs just as well with turkey and duck as it does with a nice holiday ham, or even a plate of grilled vegetables. Raspberry and cranberry notes from the Pinot Noir are accented by the Gamay’s soft structure and long, fruit-forward finish.
Isenhower Cabernet Sauvignon
Walla Walla, Washington
Pairs with charcuterie, duck, prime rib, turkey gravy, roasted vegetables
Taking a different direction for your holiday dinner? Isenhower is a natural match for richer meats and poultry. Flavors of cassis, dark cherry, framboise, and a finish of toasty oak are carried by a lush, silky, long finish. A beautiful tannic structure pairs wonderfully with red meat, and also accentuates richer poultry such as duck. Veggie lovers will enjoy it too, with its slightly vegetal undertones and toasty oak finish.
Foris Vineyards Six Stones Pinot Noir
Cave Junction, Oregon
Pairs with turkey, duck, cranberry sauce, turkey gravy
Hailing from the warm Applegate Valley, Six Stones is a ripe, plush, fruit-forward pinot noir. With a bit more palate weight than its Northern counterparts, it’s right at home with seared duck breast or pheasant, but works nicely with just about everything on the table. Herbal notes in the finish will elevate your green bean casserole and herbed stuffing, too.
White
Toblar “Pro Fondo” Sur Lie Sparkling Wine
Italy
Pairs with duck, turkey, unglazed ham, cranberry stuffing, holiday cookies
Toblar isn’t a run-of-the-mill Italian prosecco; one sip reveals that there’s a lot more going on—a fine mousse segues to flavors of white peach, baked pear, stone fruit, and biscuit. The finish is short and clean, making it more than just an average “palate cleanser”. The best part? Toblar can pair with every part of your meal; from appetizer to dessert. Grab an extra bottle, because this one is a crowd pleaser.
Illahe Chardonnay
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Pairs with turkey, apple stuffing, pies
Chardonnay is considered an “old school” pairing, because it’s very versatile and generally well received by all but the pickiest wine drinkers. Illahe is a special example—it’s local, well-priced, and one of the most food friendly chards out there. The cured lemon and granny smith apple flavors pair well with turkey and game birds; while the toffee, toasty oak, and vanilla on the finish pair well with just about any pie or pastry on your table.
Frank Chenin Blanc
Western Cape, South Africa
Pairs with: Cheese boards, Turkey, cranberry stuffing, lemon meringue pie
Looking for a food friendly white wine that’s not just a palate cleanser? Frank Chenin Blanc delivers, and then some. Luscious notes of green apple, honeysuckle, and passion fruit are framed by zippy acidity and a tropical fruit finish. it’s a natural pairing for an appetizer board, but its charms also extend to the dinner table.
Trimbach Pinot Blanc
Alsace, France
Pairs with turkey, green bean casserole, walnut stuffing
Trimbach is one of the most food-friendly wines at LifeSource! Zippy acidity frames lovely stone fruit and pear flavors, which segue into a long, mineral-driven finish. Pairs particularly well with a lemon rosemary style of turkey, but works with just about everything on the table.
Lapis Luna Chardonnay
California
Pairs with turkey, green bean casserole, apple pie
Big. Oaky. Toasty. Buttery—these are just a few descriptors for this classic California chardonnay. Brimming with notes of baked pear, fig jam, butterscotch, and lemon curd, Lapis Luna can pair with the heartiest holiday fare. The freshly baked brioche notes on the finish are your holiday pie’s best friend.
Barone de Bernaj Alcamo Bianco
Sicily, Italy
Pairs with cheese, turkey, herbed stuffing, grilled vegetables
This hot-climate Sicilian white is dry, bright, and citrus-focused, with a juicy, well-structured finish that stands up beautifully to food. It’s an ideal match for salty charcuterie, light appetizers, fresh salads, and aged cheeses. Versatile and refreshing, it brings vibrant energy to any part of your Thanksgiving spread.
Schloss Vollrads Volratz Riesling
Rheingau, Germany
Pairs with turkey, stuffing, charcuterie, baked brie
Looking for a lively, food-friendly Riesling? Volratz is a textbook Rheingau, bursting with bright citrus, honeysuckle, and a clean, mineral-driven finish. Its refreshing zip makes it a natural partner for rich holiday dishes—especially cheese boards. A vibrant, versatile bottle that brings energy and balance to your Thanksgiving table.
Flores Sparkling Wine
Northern Spain
Pairs with turkey, potatoes, charcuterie, appetizers
Flores is a sparkling wine made just outside the Cava producing region of Northern Spain—so this is a delightful aperitif bubbly that won’t break the bank. With a fine mousse and lovely notes of honeysuckle, baked pear, and puff pastry, this is a knockout wine that drinks far above its price point.
Rosé
Color Collector Rosé of Gamay
Willamette Valley, Oregon
Pairs with turkey, unglazed ham, cranberry sauce, apple pie
Who says rosé is only for poolside summer sipping? Color Collector displays vibrant flavors of cranberry and strawberry, with a beautiful, lengthy floral finish. The light mineral edge on the palate and vibrant acidity cut the richness of hearty dishes like turkey and stuffing, and also fits in right at home next to grandma’s apple pie.
Albert Bichot Crémant de Bourgogne
Burgundy, France
Pairs with appetizers, baked brie, dessert pies
Want to wow your guests? Pop a bottle of this lovely French brut rose to get the night started. Ruby red grapefruit, dried orange peel, and a touch of fresh baked baguette on the nose are followed by delectable flavors of black currant, ripe raspberry, and sweet dried cranberries. Grab an extra bottle for an outstanding cherry pie pairing!
Cider
Finnriver Cider “Tideline”
Chimacum, Washington
Pairs with cheese board, Waldorf salad, shrimp cocktail, oysters, turkey, apple pie
Not into wine? No problem! Finnriver’s lauded Tideline Cider offers just as much complexity and fun pairing potential. Tideline was specifically designed to pair with seafood, but its clean palate texture and lush apple flavor can pair with so much more. Flavors of preserved lemon and rose hips segue into hints of fir tips and forest floor—all framed by one of the liveliest acid profiles to be found in a modern day cider.
Le Pere Jules Apple Cider
Normandy, France
Pairs with turkey, game birds, apple stuffing, cranberry sauce
When it comes to ciders, few places make them better than Normandy. This dry and effortlessly food friendly cider is as versatile as it is delicious. Rich ripe apple and honey notes are framed by elegant tannins with a zippy, mouth-watering finish. Its low alcohol content (5%) makes it very accessible and crowd pleasing.
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