Thanksgiving is a time to relax and enjoy good food with friends and family. But pairing the right wine with such an epic feast can be a tough task. Our Hospitality guru Dave Rice suggests why one or more of these bottles should be present on your holiday table.

2016 Corral Creek Vineyard Riesling

This beautiful, slightly off-dry wine offers charming aromas of orange blossom and lemongrass and a palate presence that’s light on its feet.  Pairings like roast turkey, country ham, sage-seasoned stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and Southern scalloped oysters will be happy to meet their perfect match.

2018 Ribbon Ridge Chenin Blanc

Looking for that white wine that’s equally at home with your brined roast turkey AND your roasted brussels sprouts with bacon?  Our dry Chenin Blanc, with its haunting chamomile, light ginger, and key lime aromas and flavors, is sure to please the whole table.

2017 Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir

You’re serving a crowd and still want a wine that makes no comprises on taste and aroma. This wine punches above its weight, offering a lush and balanced red and black fruit palate along with a nose that seamlessly blends complex fruit and restrained French oak.  All the savory foods on your table (and your guests) will be happy.

2015 Stoller Vineyard Pinot Noir

Serving less traditional menu items for Thanksgiving?  Whether it’s lamb, roast beef, wild game, or roasted root vegetables, the ’15 Stoller Pinot Noir can handle them all.  With a distinct aroma of red earth and a lingering palate of slightly tart black cherries, it will enhance the meal and delight the senses.

Born and educated in the maize plains of Illinois and Iowa, Dave found his calling in the mid-80s when he met several Oregon winemaking pioneers on a sales swing through Austin, Texas. Soon after, he relocated to Oregon with his young family. He worked as National Sales Manager for a local winery before embarking on a detour through the world of human capital management, software, and professional services sales. Proving you can go home again, he came to Chehalem in 2008, eventually landing in his current role as Director of Hospitality.

When he’s not in the tasting room in Newberg, Dave is spending time with his wife Ann, and their grown sons, Andrew and Jordan. He can also be found tending his vegetables; depleting and replenishing his wine cellar; exploring Oregon’s majesty; watching the Portland Timbers or Trail Blazers, and hanging out with his dog, Serena.