It’s that time of year when you want to pick perfect pairings for your seasonal celebrations, and Biltmore’s holiday hospitality experts are ready to help you!

“For more than 125 years, Biltmore has been sharing our expertise in gracious entertaining,” said Sharon Fenchak, Biltmore Winemaker. “Whether you’re planning a holiday happening in your home, traveling to Biltmore for a family getaway, or hosting a virtual visit with faraway friends, we’ll help you pick perfect Biltmore wine pairings for all your gatherings.”

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Friendsgiving (Saturday before Thanksgiving)

Traditionally celebrated on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving is often a less formal gathering of friends and loved ones, with dishes ranging from traditional to potluck to leftovers.

“If you’re not sure what your host is serving, or if you expect a lot of different dishes, it’s a good idea to have both red and white wines on hand,” Sharon said.

Friendsgiving food-and-wine pairing suggestions:

• Charcuterie
  • From cheese to meat to nuts, Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Tempranillo is a perfect pairing.
• Biltmore Grown® BeefMeatballs
  • This recipe from Estate Executive Chef Mark Demarco is a crowd pleaser that pairs well with our award-winning Biltmore Estate® Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Dried Cranberries and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds
  • Serve up this savory side dish with our smooth Biltmore® Reserve Chardonnay North Carolina.
• Desserts
  • If guests are bringing a variety of desserts, be prepared to toast their thoughtfulness with Biltmore Estate® Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine.

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Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November)

“Thanksgiving is probably the most food-oriented holiday of the year,” said Sharon “and that’s why we created our Thanksgiving Wine Trio featuring three outstanding Biltmore wines to pair with a wide variety of your favorite dishes.”

For a traditional Thanksgiving menu, Sharon suggests these perfect pairings with wines from our Thanksgiving Trio:

• Smoked Salmon Bruschetta
  • Keep your guests happy before dinner with this delightful appetizer and a glass of Biltmore Estate® Dry Rosé.
• Green Beans with Pancetta and Hazelnut Brown Butter
  • Pair this sophisticated take on green beans with our smooth Biltmore® Reserve Chardonnay.
• Roast Turkey
  • The showpiece of your Thanksgiving dinner pairs perfectly with our approachable Vanderbilt Reserve® Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2019.

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Hanukkah (December 7–15, 2023)

Known as the Festival of Lights, this Jewish tradition encompasses eight nights of celebration including stories, music, gifts and a variety of special dishes.

“While Biltmore wines are not certified Kosher, we would like to offer pairings that complement the delicious foods that are such an important part of the Hanukkah festivities,” Sharon noted.

• Biltmore Grown® Beef Brisket
  • However you prefer to prepare it (like our Brisket with Texas-Style BBQ Sauce), brisket pairs perfectly with a bold, robust wine such as The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County.
• Latkes
  • It may come as a bit of a surprise, but crispy fried potato latkes are especially good when paired with a sparkling wine like our Biltmore Estate® Blanc de Blancs!
• Gelt
  • Though usually given to children, these cheerful gold-wrapped chocolate coins offer adults a perfect pairing with the rich flavor of Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine.

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Winter Solstice (December 21, 2023)

The winter solstice marks the start of winter in the northern hemisphere. Many cultures celebrate it in some fashion, although there are no well-established traditions for foods or activities.

“If you’re planning a winter solstice gathering, or just enjoying some star gazing on the longest night of the year, it’s a good time to sip something hearty like our award-winning Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Malbec,” said Sharon.

• Mulled wine
  • Chase away the chill in air with a steaming cup of mulled wine featuring any of our Biltmore® Wassail Spice Blend mixed with our soft Biltmore Estate® Merlot or lightly sweet Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Gewürztraminer.
• Port-style wine
  • Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine is a port-style wine that warms up winter evenings with rich tastes of sun-dried stone fruit drizzled with hints of caramel.

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Christmas (December 25)

“There are as many ways to celebrate Christmas as there are people who celebrate it,” said Sharon. “Instead of individual of wine-and-food pairings, we suggest choosing one of our convenient Biltmore wine bundles to have on hand for the holidays. That way, you’ll be able to pick perfect pairings for all your seasonal occasions.”

• Biltmore Tree Raising Wine Trio
  • Deck your halls while enjoying our soft, fruit-forward Christmas at Biltmore® Red Wine, our fragrant, semi-sweet Christmas at Biltmore® White Wine, and our refreshing Christmas at Biltmore® Sparkling handcrafted from grapes grown in our estate vineyard.
• Biltmore Holiday Cheer Wine Trio
  • This outstanding trio features options for every palate, from our crisp, spicy Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Dry Riesling and our approachable Vanderbilt Reserve® Pinot Noir Russian River Valley to The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County, a distinctive Bordeaux-style favorite. Savor as a set or give as thoughtful gifts of the season.
• Winemaker’s Wonderland Set
  • This outstanding four-bottle set contains our refreshing Biltmore Estate® Sauvignon Blanc, velvety smooth Biltmore Estate® Cardinal’s Crest, richly layered Vanderbilt Reserve® Cabernet Sauvignon Alexander Valley, and the brilliant bubbles of Biltmore Estate® Brut.

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Kwanzaa (December 26, 2023–January 1, 2024)

This week-long celebration of African cultures and principles is usually individualized by families or communities, but often includes singing, dancing storytelling, and a bountiful meal on the final night.

“A Kwanzaa menu can incorporate many different foods, with as much emphasis on the sides and desserts as the main offerings,” said Sharon. “For that reason, we’ve suggested Biltmore wine pairings with a selection of some of the more traditional dishes.”

• Jerk chicken
  • For spicier dishes like this, a crisp, refreshing wine like Biltmore Estate® Dry Rosé is a great complement to intense flavors and peppery heat.
• Savory Butternut SquashTart
  • Savor this irresistible combination of warm spices and buttery crust with our crisp, unoaked Antler Hill® Chardonnay Carneros, recently awarded 92 points by Wine & Spirits magazine!
• Praline Pumpkin Pie
  • A wine should always be slightly sweeter than the dessert with which it’s paired, like the unbeatable combination of this pie with our aromatic Biltmore® Century Sweet White Wine.

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New Year’s Day (January 1)

While New Year’s Eve is all about sparkling wine, the traditional menu for New Year’s Day calls for a bit more than bubbles to bring good luck in the coming months:

• Pork tenderloin, Hoppin’ John, and collard greens
  • Some bold red wines are too much, while some white wines are too little, so we recommend pairing your New Year’s Day meal with our soft, approachable Vanderbilt Reserve® Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2019–it’s just right for the occasion!

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Valentine’s Day (February 14)

“On this most romantic holiday, there are numerous ways to celebrate, so we’ve listed some wine-and-food suggestions that allow you to pick perfect pairings for your special occasion,” Sharon said.

• Breakfast and brunch
  • Start the day off right with an Orange Muscat Mimosa featuring our delightful Biltmore Estate® Limited Release Orange Muscat.
• Red wine and chocolates
  • Pair your favorite chocolates with Ventágeo® Red Dessert Wine.
• Romantic dinner
  • Pair Biltmore Grown® London Broil with Au Poivre Sauce and Bleu Cheese Butter with an elegant red wine such as The Hunt Red Blend Sonoma County.

Pick perfect pairings for all your seasonal celebrations!

Find these Biltmore wines for perfect pairings–plus all your other handcrafted favorites–in estate shops, online, and close to home with our Retail Locator.

For more holiday inspiration, visit our Gift Guide for Holiday Gatherings.