Winter Wine Picks for Cozy Evenings on the Acreage

The holidays on the acreage are a time for gathering, reflection and enjoying the comforts of home. Whether it’s a quiet night by the fire or a festive meal in a rustic dining room, the right bottle of wine can set the tone.

From the fruit-forward California Pinot Noir of Belle Glos to the structured Napa Valley Cabernet of Duckhorn, the bold Zinfandel of Whale Rock and the sparkling Angie Blanc de Blancs, these selections bring warmth, flavor and a touch of celebration to winter evenings on the land.

Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir

The 2023 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir is a California red wine bottled at 14.7% alcohol by volume (ABV) in 750-milliliter formats.

The wine exhibits a deep scarlet-red color with aromas of blackberry bramble, nutmeg and subtle caramel. On the palate, it presents fresh and lively flavors of strawberry jam, ripe black cherry, cranberry and warm gingerbread. The structure is balanced, with velvety tannins and a bright acidity that supports the fruit, while a hint of toffee extends through a long finish.

Belle Glos, under the Clark & Telephone label, produces this Pinot Noir as part of its California portfolio, emphasizing varietal expression and approachability. The 2023 vintage continues the winery’s focus on rich, fruit-driven styles that reflect the state’s climate and vineyard practices. This release aligns with broader trends in California Pinot Noir, highlighting ripe fruit, balanced structure and extended flavor persistence.

Cork Tree Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

On a west-facing hillside in Napa Valley, the 2022 Duckhorn Vineyards Cork Tree Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon captures the nuances of its site. The estate-grown blend is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, with small additions of Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Cool nights and ample sun exposure produced grapes with concentrated flavors, balanced acidity and firm, round tannins.

The wine offers aromas of blackberries, black cherry cola, olive and subtle savory spice, with palate notes of graham cracker pie crust that extend through a long, structured finish. The 2022 vintage followed an early budbreak, steady spring and summer warmth and careful vineyard management during modest mid-September rains, allowing grapes to mature fully over an 11-week harvest.

The wine was aged 18 months in 100% French oak, 85% new and 15% neutral. Duckhorn Vineyards, established in 1976, continues to produce estate Cabernet Sauvignons that reflect the character of their individual vineyards and vintage conditions.

Whale Rock Zinfandel

The 2022 Whale Rock Zinfandel comes from the estate’s CCOF-certified organic vineyard in Paso Robles. The vintage experienced a significant heatwave, producing smaller berries with concentrated flavors and deep color, giving the wine a distinctive intensity. A small portion of Petite Sirah was included in the blend to enhance structure and color.

The wine was aged for 14 months in American oak barrels, which contributed subtle notes of vanilla and spice. Aromas include blueberry and black fruit, while the palate offers layers of cherry, pepper and warm spice, supported by firm acidity that maintains balance. The result is a bold Zinfandel that reflects the vineyard’s conditions and the vintage’s challenges.

The 2022 Whale Rock captures both the character of its Paso Robles site and the concentrated profile typical of warm-climate Zinfandel, offering a structured, flavorful expression of estate-grown fruit.

Angie Blanc de Blancs

Made from Chardonnay grapes grown at the Clos CheValle Vineyard overlooking Lake Chela, the 2021 Angie Blanc de Blancs is a sparkling wine that undergoes native fermentation in neutral barrels for one year, followed by a traditional secondary fermentation in bottle, lasting 18 to 24 months.

Bottled at 12.5% ABV, it displays a delicate floral bouquet with notes of lemon zest and candied almonds. On the palate, flavors of green apple and Asian pear are supported by bright acidity and fine, persistent bubbles, giving the wine a crisp and textured mouthfeel. The vineyard’s elevation and microclimate contribute to the grapes’ vibrant acidity and nuanced flavors, which are expressed in the wine’s elegant structure.

The 2021 Angie Blanc de Blancs reflects the characteristics of the site and the extended aging process, producing a sparkling wine with balance, complexity and a refined, lightly effervescent profile suitable for a variety of occasions.

Reserve Shiraz

Drawn from one of Australia’s recognized wine regions, the Reserve Shiraz is a full-bodied red crafted from carefully selected fruit to highlight the varietal’s character. The wine exhibits aromas of bright blackberry and clove, with subtle hints of allspice and vanilla-infused oak.

On the palate, it presents layered flavors of black fruit and spice, supported by a silky texture from restrained oak influence. The finish is smooth and lingering, reflecting the balance between fruit concentration and structural depth. Recommended serving temperature ranges from 12 to 18 degrees Celsius, and the wine is suited to a standard red wine glass.

In culinary pairings, it complements braised lamb shanks, eye-fillet of beef and a selection of hard cheeses. The Reserve Shiraz emphasizes expressive varietal traits and the influence of regional conditions, producing a wine with complexity and richness that aligns with Australia’s tradition of bold, structured Shiraz.

Côtes-du-Rôbles Rouge

The 2023 Côtes-du-Rôbles Rouge from Paso Robles has received multiple accolades, including Best Red Rhône Blend and Platinum (97 points) from the Winemaker Challenge, Wine of the Year and Best of Show Red Wine with Platinum (97 points) at the Monterey Wine Competition, Double Gold (98 points) at the Central Coast Wine Competition and a Gold Medal (91 points) from Critics Challenge.

The wine is a blend of 58% Grenache, 34% Mourvèdre and 8% Syrah, bottled at 14% ABV. It spent 10 months in barrel, with 10% new French oak contributing delicate vanilla and spice, while neutral barrels preserved vibrant fruit and a soft, integrated texture.

Aromas include raspberry, strawberry and rose petal, and the palate offers blood orange, buttery biscuit and subtle sage, resulting in a balanced, aromatic profile. The wine pairs well with smoked orange rosemary duck, charcuterie or roasted root vegetable salads, showcasing both its structure and versatility.