Sip the Season with California Wines

Celebrate with wine pairings for holiday movies, special dishes and festive wine cocktails

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The holiday season is a time to gather with your favorite people and raise a glass to what matters most. Thanks to its incredible diversity of growing regions, grape varieties and wine styles, California offers a perfect pour for every celebration. Following are some of our favorite ways to sip the season - from cozy holiday movie nights to festive feasts to sparkling soirees. For more inspiration and a calendar of seasonal events in California wine country, visit the holiday page at Discover California Wines.

Pair California Wines with Holiday Movies

Why venture out into the cold when you can cozy up with family and friends for a holiday movie night? Here are some pairing ideas to get you ready for showtime.

"Elf" - Highlight Buddy's four main food groups - candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup - with treats that complement sweeter-style wines. Think California ports with rich chocolate desserts, or semi-dry Muscat with a spiced fruit tart. For a sweet-savory matchup, go for a luscious late-harvest white wine with a charcuterie board featuring rich and creamy cheeses.

"A Christmas Story" - When the Parkers lose their traditional turkey to the neighbors' dogs, the family starts a new holiday tradition with Peking duck at a local Chinese restaurant. Order delivery for your movie marathon and pair the bird with fruity California Gamay or Cinsault. The richness of the dish makes a beautiful match for the wines' berry notes and soft tannins. For spicy dishes, opt for a crisp, aromatic white such as California Chenin Blanc.

"Love, Actually" - A playful and romantic film calls for a wine that is equally effervescent. California sparkling rosé is just the ticket, with its soft pink hues and bubbly charm. The state's sparklers are especially delicious with salty snacks like savory, seasoned popcorn.

"It's a Wonderful Life" - This holiday classic explores some serious themes leading up to the film's life-affirming climax. To match the mood, pop the cork on a deep and complex red wine such as California Cabernet Sauvignon or Syrah, then toast the movie's happy ending with California bubbles.

"A California Christmas" - This Netflix rom-com takes place on a Sonoma County ranch, and California wine plays a starring role. Open a bottle of the region's signature Pinot Noir or Chardonnay and taste along as Callie struggles to save her family farm and vineyard.

"Die Hard" - Settle the debate once and for all: Yes, "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie! Toast one of cinema's most memorable movie villains, Hans Gruber, with California wines made from German grape varieties such as California Riesling and Gewürztraminer. California vintners make beautiful renditions in a wide range of styles, from ultra-dry to sweet. Yippee-ki-yay, well… you know.

Host a Holiday Cooking Party

These are the parties before the parties - when families and friends gather to make special treats for their holiday celebrations. Sipping and sampling is all part of the fun.

Latke Fry Fest - California sparkling wines are a must-try match for potato pancakes. That's because the acidity in the wine cuts through the fat and salt of the fried latkes, refreshing the palate with every sip. For a California twist, try California Grown's recipe for Latke-inspired Sweet Potato Pancakes dolloped with apple butter.

Tamalada - It takes many hands to assemble holiday tamales, so why not turn the production process into an event? Pork-filled versions are fantastic with fruity California reds like Zinfandel and Tempranillo. Or, for veggie lovers who like a bit of heat, try California Grown's recipe for Anaheim Chile Tamales with salsa verde, paired with California Sauvignon Blanc or Albariño.

Pierogi Party - Buttery dumplings are a holiday must for Eastern European families across California and beyond. Pierogi are often stuffed with sauerkraut and mushrooms, or potato and cheese fillings, which match wonderfully with medium-bodied whites like California Chardonnay and Roussanne. For pork or mushroom fillings, opt for a dry California rosé or a light red like Valdiguié. Check out this recipe from Real California Milk.

For more holiday-worthy recipes and wine pairings, visit Discover California Wines.

Mix Up Festival California Wine Cocktails

California wines are delicious on their own, yet they also shine in festive holiday cocktails. Mix up a crowd-sized batch of a signature drink to pour guests on arrival, or set out ingredients for a festive, mix-your-own wine cocktail bar.

Need some inspiration? "California Wine Cocktails for the Holidays," a free e-book from California Wines, features wine-forward recipes to celebrate the season - from lighter-style cocktails brightened with winter citrus to warming drinks enhanced with a hint of spice.

Recipes highlights include the Raspberry Sparkler, a blend of California port-style wine, sparkling wine and muddled raspberries; the California Gold Rush, an herbaceous blend of California Chardonnay, lemon juice and lemon-thyme honey; and the Cranberry Rosé, a mingling of dry California pink wine, cranberry juice and orange bitters.

You can also chase away winter chills with the West Coast Warm Winter Wine, a fruity take on mulled wine accented with fresh pomegranate and citrus; Red Wine Hot Chocolate, a luscious mix of chocolate and full-bodied California red wine; and Red Apple Sangria, which marries California red wine and apple cider with a cinnamon-spiced twist.

Celebrate in California Wine Country

To keep the fun going all season long, dozens of wineries across California will be hosting holiday-themed events and activities, including craft workshops, food pairings, tree-lighting receptions, special wine tastings, artisan gift markets, and lots more. Check the calendar at Discover California Wines to find out what's happening in wine regions throughout California.

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About Wine Institute
Established in 1934, Wine Institute is the public policy advocacy group of more than 1,000 California wineries and affiliated businesses that initiates and advocates state, federal and international public policy to enhance the environment for the responsible production, consumption and enjoyment of wine.

Funding for the project was made possible by a grant/cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the USDA.