How to Celebrate the Holidays at US Wineries

Bluemont Vineyard (Loudoun Valley)

Blue Ridge Mountain vistas and 10,000 twinkling lights set the holiday tone at Bluemont Vineyard’s Lighting of the Vines in Bluemont, Virginia. The annual lighting launch party (Nov. 28-29) features an appearance by Santa, cookie decorating, and plenty of food and wine. Each weekend in December, the winery offers a four-course chef-prepared dinner that begins with an outdoor cocktail reception followed by a countdown to the lighting display. Fridays and Saturdays in December, $20 for adults, $15 for kids

Gran Moraine Winery (Willamette Valley)

At Gran Moraine Winery’s Sparkling Celebration in Yamill, Oregon, guests are invited to gussy up for an evening of bubbly and dancing in the cellar. To celebrate the release of the 2018 Gran Moraine Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine, the winery kicks off the night with a sparkling wine toast followed by a multi-course meal created by local chef Heather Ciprani. The finale will be the uncorking of the 2018 Blanc de Blancs and then dancing in the cellar. Saturday, Dec. 6, $200 per person ($150 for members)

WillaKenzie Estate (Willamette Valley)

WillaKenzie Estate’s Raid the Cellar and Holiday Market offer wine lovers an opportunity to taste a trove of hand-selected rare older vintages. Sydney McMurry, Hospitality and Events Manager for Jackson Family Wines, Oregon, loves how this annual event brings people together over wine.

“I love opening our library and giving guests rare access to beautifully aged wines they can’t find anywhere else. Paired with local artisans at our festive Holiday Market, it’s a cozy, spirited celebration of craftsmanship, community, and the simple pleasure of savoring something truly special during the most magical time of year.” 

Participants are invited to bring a special WillaKenzie bottle from their own collection to add to the experience. The Holiday Market features a curated selection of local artisan goods. Sunday, Dec. 14, $40

Yakima Valley

Make a day of wine tastings and themed Christmas trees at Washington State’s Yakima Valley Christmas in the Valley. Each year participating wineries deck out a tree in a unique theme and at each winery stop, wine lovers earn entries for a grand prize giveaway. Closer to Seattle, you’ll find sleigh rides at Chateau Ste. Michelle’s Manor House are the seasonal way to tour and taste wine. Holiday-themed “sleighs” driven by a Chateau Ste. Michelle elf take guests on a grounds tour and include themed stops of wine and food pairings prepared by the Chateau kitchen culinary team. Tastings include four wines paired with four food bites. Dress warm, you will be outside. Thursdays-Sundays, Nov. 7 through Dec. 28, $75

JOLO Vineyards (Yadkin Valley)

JOLO Vineyards in North Carolina’s Yadkin Valley wine region brings in the Greensboro Opera for Opera Among the Vines, featuring world-class opera voices performing timeless Italian arias. “Partnering with the Greensboro Opera has been a true joy for us,” says JW Ray, founder and winemaker at JOLO. “It allows wine, cuisine, and music to come together in the most magical way.” The show of opera music and Christmas carols accompanies a special four-course dinner paired with JOLO wines. Saturday, Dec. 13, $140

Casa Larga Vineyards (Finger Lakes)

In the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes wine country, Casa Larga Vineyards hosted a Thanksgiving Eve party featuring live music, food, and plenty of wine before the big feast. Skip the mall on Black Friday weekend, and attend the winery’s annual Holiday Wine & Craft Marketplace, showcasing regional artisans and vendors, and seasonal wines. 

In December, Casa Larga joins the Lake Ontario Wine Trail’s Christmas Around the World program. President of the Lake Ontario Wine Trail, Audrey Allen, describes it as one of the region’s most beloved annual traditions, noting, “We’ve been hosting this festive weekend since the earliest days of the Trail, and it has grown to welcome more than 350 guests each December. This year, 13 participating locations will each represent a different country. Each stop will feature three handcrafted beverages (signature wines, ciders, or beers) paired with two to three globally inspired delicious dishes. Guests love the unique pairings that change every year. Whether you’re a longtime visitor or new to the Trail, this event is a wonderful way to discover new favorites, experience the warmth of the holiday season, and support local businesses all at once.” Saturday, Dec. 6, $40-50

Cuvaison (Napa)

The team at Cuvaison hits the lights to bring guests Bright Nights at Cuvaison where vineyard scenery featuring thousands of lights is paired with select wines and accompanying cheeses. “It literally takes thousands of lights, and a lot of logistics to make Bright Nights happen,” says Dan Zepponi, president and CEO of Cuvaison, “But that first time we flip the switch and the vineyard lights up, it’s absolutely magical and well worth the effort.”

The winery’s Tai Estate Vineyard is one of the most stunning spots in all of wine country with a beautiful, rolling landscape and views of vineyards and mountains. “When you add thousands of twinkling lights to the natural beauty of our estate, it’s a wine country winter wonderland,” says Zepponi. “It’s become a beloved annual celebration for Cuvaison and a not-to-be-missed event for many of our customers.” Fridays and Saturdays, Nov. 28-Jan. 3, $85 per person.

Ferrari-Carano Vineyards and Winery (Sonoma County)

Partake of the classic Italian holiday experience — the Feast of the Seven Fishes in the Italianate setting of Ferrari-Carano winery in Healdsburg, California, features a reception-style event across multiple venues throughout the estate. Various tasting stations will offer wine and food pairings, including pasta-making demonstrations at the winery’s enoteca. For Natalie West, winemaker at Ferrari-Carano, the event is very personal: “As an Italian American celebration of Christmas Eve, the Feast of the Seven Fishes is a perfect experience for Ferrari-Carano, which was founded by second-generation Italian Americans Don and Rhonda Carano, and is now owned by the Foley family. Inspired by our Italian roots and the spirit of families that define our winery, this year’s Feast marks the start of a new tradition at Ferrari-Carano, and we look forward to watching it evolve.” Saturday, Dec. 6, $75

Caelesta Vineyard (Paso Robles)

Truffle season is in full swing in Templeton, California, and you can hunt for your very own at the Caelesta Wines Truffle Hunt + Wine Tasting on three upcoming Saturdays. Let the estate’s truffle dog follow its nose and dig up fresh seasonal truffles. Afterwards, enjoy a tasting of five wines in the tasting room. Saturdays, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, and Jan. 31, $128

Texas Hill Country

Texas Hill Country celebrates with the Christmas Wine Affair, an annual self-guided tour across more than 50 wineries. With a passport ticket, guests enjoy complimentary tastings and a 15% discount on purchases of three or more bottles at participating locations from Nov. 24 to Dec. 19 ($65). For a special evening, the Hill + Vine Holiday Winemaker Dinner in Fredericksburg features wine pairings from six Texas Hill Country wineries (Sunday, Dec. 7, $150).