Responsible Indulgence November 2025
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” Virginia Woolf, A Room of One’s Own
November initiates a period of good eating, but it is also a month that is swathed in gratitude. This year I understand that in a new way. Having just completed my harvest in California, I am increasingly aware of the importance of expressing and sharing our thanks for the abundance that Mother Nature bestows and local farmers and growers provide.
I am working on a longer piece that describes for those interested the steps, decisions, and work that goes into each glass of wine, but for the purposes of these wine notes, I am simply reminding you that all that nourishes us, all culinary delights, all sips and bites we share with family, friends, and lovers comes from the earth. If we do not begin with good ingredients, we cannot eat, drink or think well. Yes, I am invoking Woolf here, and her sage advice that good food is a gift that provides the freedom to sustain ourselves and to think and create freely, as well. In this light, all artistic endeavor relies on our access to good food and drink, so beyond our own pleasure, it feeds our spirit and our imagination.
Certainly, the tradition of giving thanks here in our country is tied to a complex and often conflicted history, but no doubt that sharing our gratitude together around the table with good food and wine among those we love is a tradition worth celebrating.
Here are our picks for this season of celebration and gratitude.
Cheers!
November Wine Club Tasting Notes
2023 Teutonic Wine Company Pear Blossom Vineyard- Riesling
We love this Teutonic Wine Company Riesling for so many reasons! This particular Riesling is sourced from their unique cool climate Pear Blossom Vineyard in the Columbia Gorge AVA. Because of this it has high acidity, bright fruit and low alcohol making it the perfect pairing for thanksgiving feasts to come! With notes of green apple, lime zest and pronounced minerality this is the perfect bottle to keep flowing from appetizers to the last slice of pie! This wine is a thanksgiving MVP.
2023 L'Ecole No.41- Semillon
Step into the history of Walla Walla with the L'Ecole No. 41 Semillon. Housed in an old schoolhouse in the 41st district, this winery pioneers French winemaking in the Columbia Valley. This Semillon is the perfect winter white: rich, dry and full of texture from aging in oak barrels. Look for notes of honeydew, melon, poached pear and even some nuttiness and spice. This wine has the weight to stand up to any dinner menu from roasted fishes or your holiday poultry. Taste the difference some classic French schooling makes!
2023 Fidelity- Zinfandel
When the weather turns chilly we all need a red wine we can turn to. That is the 2023 Fidelity Zinfandel. It is a perfect example of what the sun-drenched Alexander Valley does best: a full throttle, mouth-filling red that maintains balance and elegance. With notes of blackberry jam, licorice and fresh black pepper this
lush wine is the absolute perfect pairing for any array of hearty meals or nights by a fire. Grab your glass and turn on your oven and enjoy this wine throughout all your cozy winter nights at home!
2023 Thevenet & Fils Bourgogne "Les Clos" - Pinot Noir
This 2023 Thevenet & Fils Bourgogne is a perfect example of a high-value everyday red wine. The vineyard focuses on terroir expression and this Pinot Noir from the "Les Clos" vineyard delivers the delicate complexity and beautiful sophistication Burgundy is famous for. With bright acidity and notes of red fruits and pomegranate this wine is extremely versatile and can pair well with any holiday feast. Pinot Noir is the classic time honored choice for any holiday table and you are lucky to have this one to share with family and friends over this holiday season!
2021 Jacob Martin - Chardonnay
This Chardonnay is a beautiful expression of Oregon's cool climate, and focuses on precision and tension in winemaking rather than the broad buttery notes of warmer-climate styles. This style of wine making often avoids malolactic fermentation, which preserves the bright, zesty acidity in this varietal making it incredibly refreshing and very food friendly. This chardonnay has a steely, mineral core with notes of green apple and citrus. It is a medium to light bodied wine showcasing the high quality fruit from the Willamette Valley. If you want a chardonnay that tastes like the vineyard and not the barrel this is the one for you!
2024 Galactica - Sauvignon Blanc
Prepare yourself for a wine experience that is truly out of this world! We are thrilled to feature the Galactica Sauvignon Blanc from Chile this month with a wine that is as vibrant and captivating as its label! This is lighter in style, crisp and wonderfully balanced with vibrant acidity that refreshes your palate with notes of fresh citrus, herbs and a clean mineral finish. This would be the perfect pairing for any seafood dish of herb forward vegetarian entrees. Or you could even save this for one of those warm fall evenings and enjoy it with a stellar sunset.
2024 Galactica - Cabernet Sauvignon
Following in the footsteps of its counterpart we bring another wine from the Galactica label that really stands up to its out of this world reputation! This cab delivers the classic structure you expect but wrapped in a smooth and approachable package. It has concentrated flavors of dark plum and blackberry balanced with velvety tannin which finishes clean and leaves a pleasant note of sweet spice and cocoa. This wine is a natural pairing for any hearty meal you're cooking up on those cooler nights or even if you're feeling up to still pulling out your grill on those warmer ones! Whether you're enjoying this with a big holiday feast or stocking your cellar this Cab is a must have for those other worldly experiences!
2022 Château Haut-Mondain Bordeaux - Merlot/ Cabernet Sauvignon
With this 2022 Bordeaux Blend by Château Haut-Mondain experience the structure and tradition of France's most famous wine region. This is a beautifully crafted wine that perfectly encapsulates the balance and freshness of the highly praised 2022 vintage. Embrace the chill in the air with this wine that showcases beautiful ripe plum and juicy black cherry flavors with hints of earth, cocoa and tobacco. This wine is unmatched when paired with rich slow cooked dishes you crave in cold weather. It's also complex enough to savor slowly by the fire. Pick your favorite cold weather activity and enjoy this wine all winter long!
2021 Domaine De Fenouillet Vin De Pays De Vaucluse- Marselan/Merlot
The 2021 Domaine De Fenouillet Vin de Pays Vaucluse Rouge is basically a bottled vacation to the sunny south of France. Imagine crushing ripe raspberries and cherries into a basket lined with rosemary and thyme and that's what you've got in your glass. It is perfect for immediate drinking and is ready to become your go-to red wine for weeknights! This wine glides across your palate and is extremely clean and bright. It's the perfect wine to pair with your Taco Tuesday, Thursday Pizza or fancy Friday night charcuterie boards!
2023 The Girls in The Vineyard- Cabernet Sauvignon
Meet the cab that brings the party! The girls in the vineyard is a classic California Cab and built for enjoyment! Many winemakers refer to their vines as "the girls" which is where this wine gets its name and these girls do not disappoint! The wine pours a rich garnet color in your glass (a stone fit for a king or queen) and smells like walking into a spice and fruit shop somewhere exotic. There are notes of cassis, cherry and bramble fruit with hints of clove and cocoa. It is a very luxurious wine that delivers serious flavors without the heavy oak bomb of some other of the same varietal. Host a pasta making night with friends, or grab lasagnas for a good cause at Giusto and have fun with the girls this winter!
2022 Vincent Bachelet Maranges 1er Cru "La Fussière" Vielles Vignes - Pinot Noir
This Burgundy is from an appellation that is a hidden gem of Cote de Beaunes famous wine region! This wine brings both elegance and comfort into your glass! With hints of wild raspberry, plush fruits, forest floor and spice with some minerality at the finish this wine can either be enjoyed right away or benefit from some time in a cellar. It is refined enough for special holiday dinners but approachable enough for cozy nights at home with a roasted chicken or mushroom risotto. Whatever it is you're enjoying, this wine is sure to ignite a fire to your palate and spark conversation amongst your table!
2021 McKinlay Willamette Valley Ladd Hill - Pinot Noir
If Burgundy had a west coast cousin, this is it! McKinlay's Ladd Hill Pinot Noir showcases everything we love about cool climate Pinot- vibrant fruit, earthy finishes, and a feather light touch. This vintage is beautifully balanced with bright red cherry, cranberry and hints of rose and earth that leaves the finish silky and soft. It is graceful, understated and utterly charming; The kind of wine that quietly steals the show! This Pinot is perfect for thanksgiving or any fall evening. Delicate, Thoughtful, and effortlessly drinkable this will be a wine to be thankful for.
2024 Pullus Dry Rosé- Pinot Noir/ Blaufränkisch/ Blauer Kolner
A prime pick for Thanksgiving, this stunning rosé from the rolling, sandy-clay slopes of Štajerska, Slovenia is crafted from Pinot Noir, Blaufränkisch, and Blauer Kölner. The grapes are lightly pressed and fermented in stainless steel to preserve their lively, fruit-forward character, resulting in a brilliant salmon-pink hue and a wine brimming with freshness.Aromas of strawberries and raspberries leap from the glass, followed by a palate layered with white grapefruit, rhubarb, and delicate rose florals. Bright yet elegant, this rosé complements a traditional holiday feast just as beautifully as it shines on its own as an apéritif.
2024 Isle Saint Pierre - Cab Franc/ Merlot/ Syrah
Nestled on a small island at the mouth of the Rhône River in southern France, Isle Saint Pierre crafts wines that capture the freshness of the Mediterranean breeze. Their rosé is an expressive blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Malbec, Nielluccio, Vermentino, and Colombard — a vibrant mix of classic and coastal varieties. After a gentle pressing, the grapes undergo a brief cold maceration in stainless steel to achieve the perfect pale hue and preserve bright aromatics. The resulting wine bursts with notes of fresh and macerated berries, salted citrus, and wild Mediterranean herbs.
Crisp, refreshing, and delightfully balanced, this rosé is an ideal companion to fresh seafood, grilled vegetables, or simply roasted poultry. An unbeatable value that brings the spirit of the southern French coast to your glass.
My thanks to Lianna, my Assistant General Manager, for her attention to these notes and to my shop in my absence.
Cheers, Maria
