The best wine for Thanksgiving dinner is a small lineup, because no single bottle flatters everything on the table. Open with crisp whites and rosé, pour Pinot Noir and Chardonnay alongside the turkey, and bring a structured red for rich sides and second helpings. The San Simeon wines in the San Antonio Winery Estate Wines collection cover every one of those steps, from Paso Robles and Monterey.
Why Thanksgiving dinner calls for more than one wine
Thanksgiving puts almost every flavor on one plate: buttery, herby, tart, savory and sweet. Instead of hunting for one perfect match, follow the simple rules from our guide to choosing wine for special occasions. Light dishes pair with crisp, refreshing wines. Rich dishes need wines with depth and structure. Sweet desserts pair best with wines that share similar sweetness.
Move from lighter pours to fuller ones as the meal goes on, and offer a mix so every guest finds something they enjoy. Our Estate Wines collection brings together San Simeon, Opaque, Windstream, Maddalena, Highlands 41 and Riboli Family Napa Valley, so you can build a full Thanksgiving lineup in one place.
Appetizers: start bright with San Simeon whites and rosé
While guests gather around the snacks, reach for crisp wines that wake up the palate without weighing anyone down before dinner. The San Simeon collection offers three easy openers:
- San Simeon Sauvignon Blanc, Paso Robles. Crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc pair beautifully with seafood, so pour it with shrimp cocktail, a smoked salmon spread or a bright vegetable platter.
- San Simeon Viognier, Paso Robles. A bright, luscious white with ripe peach flavors and tropical notes. It is structured and well balanced, so it carries nicely from the first nibbles into dinner.
- San Simeon Grenache Rosé, Paso Robles. Rosé sits comfortably between white and red, which makes it a friendly choice when you are not sure what your guests prefer.
The turkey: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Monterey
Roast turkey is lean and mild, and it shares the plate with stuffing, gravy and cranberry sauce. That is why Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are such dependable California wine Thanksgiving picks. Pinot Noir’s lighter body and bright acidity stay friendly with tart cranberry and herbed stuffing, while Chardonnay suits creamy, buttery dishes like mashed potatoes and gravy.
- San Simeon Pinot Noir, Monterey for guests who want a red that won’t overwhelm the bird.
- San Simeon Chardonnay, Monterey for the white wine lovers at the table.
Looking for a conversation starter? The Estate Wines collection also includes a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir from Windstream, from the Santa Lucia Highlands. Pour them next to their San Simeon counterparts and let the table compare. You can also get to know the family’s Monterey vineyards.
Rich sides and second helpings: San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon and Opaque Darkness
When the plate fills up with sausage stuffing, roasted root vegetables and dark meat, it is time for a red with real structure.
San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles opens with baking spices and vanilla from French and American oak, layered over ripe dark fruit. On the palate you’ll find blackberry and ripe plum, touches of cocoa and cedar, and a long finish with fine-grained tannins and solid acidity. It comes only from select lots in our estate vineyards, picked and fermented individually with minimal intervention, then aged 18 months. Our winemakers suggest it with braised beef short ribs, lentil soup or herbed cheeses, so it fits beautifully if your menu adds a braised main beside the turkey.
Opaque Darkness, Paso Robles from Opaque is a deep, black cherry, raspberry and dark chocolate on a rich, broad palate, finishing with brown sugar, mineral and spice. Its suggested pairings read like a holiday menu: green bean casserole and shepherd’s pie, which also makes it a smart partner for the leftovers.
A showstopper bottle for the toast
Every Thanksgiving deserves one bottle that marks the occasion. The Riboli Family Vineyard® Cabernet Sauvignon comes from the family’s vineyards in the Rutherford appellation of Napa Valley, along the Silverado Trail, where rich clay-loam soils favor structured, full-bodied wines. It blends clones of Cabernet Sauvignon with a small selection of Petit Verdot and is handcrafted in limited quantities. Learn more about Riboli Family Napa Valley.
For a Paso Robles centerpiece, look for San Simeon Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon and San Simeon Stormwatch, both in the Estate Wines collection.
Dessert and the cheese board
For pumpkin and pecan pie, the guiding rule is simple: choose a wine that shares similar sweetness with the dessert. If your crowd would rather linger over cheese, bring back the San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon with herbed cheeses, or pour a last glass of Opaque Darkness and let its dark chocolate and brown sugar notes close out the evening. Explore the family’s Paso Robles and Monterey estates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine for Thanksgiving dinner?
There isn’t one bottle that’s best for every dish, which is why many hosts serve two or three. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are reliable with turkey, crisp whites and rosé suit appetizers, and a structured red like San Simeon Cabernet Sauvignon handles rich sides and second helpings.
How many bottles of wine should I buy for Thanksgiving?
A common guideline is one bottle per two guests for a multi-hour gathering, though it varies with your crowd and menu. Include a mix of styles, such as a crisp white, a rosé, a lighter red and a fuller red, so everyone finds something they enjoy.
Should I serve a different wine with each course?
You can, but it isn’t required. Many hosts choose one wine for appetizers and another for the main course. If you do pour several, move from lighter wines to fuller ones as the meal goes on.
Is red or white wine better with turkey?
Both work well. Pinot Noir brings lighter body and bright acidity that suit turkey and cranberry, while Chardonnay pairs nicely with creamy sides like mashed potatoes and gravy. Setting out one of each lets guests choose.
Bring the family to your table
At San Antonio Winery, wine is a family affair, and Thanksgiving is the holiday that feels most like home. Build your lineup, from bright San Simeon whites to a showstopping Napa Valley Cabernet. Shop the Estate Wines collection and pour something special this year.
Please enjoy responsibly.