TL;DR: The window between guests arriving and dinner hitting the table is one of the best drinking moments of the year. It calls for wines that are bright, easy to pour by the glass, and versatile enough to work with whatever is coming out of the kitchen first. Etude’s picks: the Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs for a celebratory opener, the Carneros Pinot Gris for a crisp crowd-pleaser, the Carneros Rosé for the cook, and the Carneros Pinot Noir for anyone who cannot wait for the main event.
The Best Part of Thanksgiving Nobody Talks About
There is a window on Thanksgiving afternoon that deserves more attention than it gets. Guests are arriving. The kitchen smells extraordinary. Someone has already opened something. The table is not set yet, nothing is plated, and nobody is in any hurry.
That window is one of the best drinking occasions of the year, and it calls for a specific kind of wine: something bright and welcoming, easy to pour freely, and good enough to stand on its own before the serious food arrives.
Here are four Etude bottles built exactly for that moment.
The Pairings at a Glance
| Wine | Best For | Serve With |
|---|---|---|
| Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs | The arrival toast | Nuts, olives, soft cheese |
| Carneros Pinot Gris | The crowd-pleaser | Charcuterie, shrimp, crudités |
| Carneros Rosé | The cook’s pour | Everything in the kitchen |
| Carneros Pinot Noir | The bridge to dinner | Mushroom crostini, cheese, charcuterie |
Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs: The Arrival Toast
There is no better way to signal that the celebration has officially started than with bubbles. Etude’s Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs is a white sparkling wine made from estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at Grace Benoist Ranch in the Carneros AVA. It has the body and red berry character of Pinot Noir in a bright, lively sparkling format that feels festive without being fussy.
Open it when the first guest walks through the door. Pour generously. It sets the tone for everything that follows.
Serve alongside: toasted nuts, marinated olives, or a simple cheese board. Nothing that competes with the wine, everything that extends it.
Shop the 2021 Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs.
Carneros Pinot Gris: The Crowd-Pleaser
If you are looking for one white wine to keep flowing freely before dinner, the Carneros Pinot Gris is the answer. Grown on estate at Grace Benoist Ranch, it leads with bright citrus and stone fruit, has the acidity to refresh the palate between bites, and is light enough in body that it does not ask anything of you before you are ready.
It works with almost everything that appears on a pre-dinner spread: charcuterie, shrimp cocktail, crudités with dip, anything pickled or briny. Rated 92 points and approachable for guests who are just beginning to explore wine, it earns its place at any table.
Serve chilled, pour often.
Shop the 2023 Carneros Pinot Gris.
Carneros Rosé: The Cook’s Pour
This is Jon Priest’s personal Thanksgiving tradition: open the Rosé while you are still cooking. The Carneros Pinot Noir Rosé, with its bright wild strawberry and nectarine character and crisp, refreshing acidity, is the ideal companion for the kitchen hour. It is light enough to sip continuously without dulling anything, and vibrant enough to make a Tuesday feel like an occasion.
It also transitions beautifully to the table alongside the turkey, which is why it is worth keeping a second bottle cold.
Shop the Carneros Rosé of Pinot Noir.
Carneros Pinot Noir: The Bridge to Dinner
For guests who prefer red from the start, or for anyone who wants to ease into the Thanksgiving Pinot Noir experience before the main event, the Carneros Pinot Noir is the right move. Estate-grown at Grace Benoist Ranch on volcanic soils at the foot of Sonoma Mountain, it has the bright red fruit, lively acidity, and earthy complexity that makes it the most naturally food-versatile red wine at the table.
Pair it with a wild mushroom crostini, a slice of aged cheese, or whatever comes off the appetizer spread first. It will be equally at home when the turkey arrives.
Serve at 60 to 65°F, slightly below room temperature, to let the fruit and acidity express fully.
Shop the 2022 Carneros Pinot Noir.
A Few Hosting Notes
- Quantity: Plan on one bottle per three to four guests for the pre-dinner window, assuming dinner wines will follow.
- Temperature: Keep the Blanc de Noirs, Pinot Gris, and Rosé well chilled (45 to 50°F). Pull the Pinot Noir out of any cool storage about 20 minutes before pouring.
- Order: Start with the Blanc de Noirs or Pinot Gris, transition to the Rosé as the kitchen gets serious, and pour the Pinot Noir as guests begin to move toward the table.
FAQs: Pre-Thanksgiving Wine
What wine should I open when guests first arrive for Thanksgiving?
A sparkling wine or a chilled Rosé is the most welcoming opener. Etude’s Grace Benoist Ranch Blanc de Noirs brings a celebratory quality without requiring any ceremony, and the Carneros Rosé is equally easy to pour from the moment the first guest arrives.
Is Pinot Gris a good wine for Thanksgiving?
Yes, particularly before the meal. Pinot Gris has the body and fruit to hold its own alongside pre-dinner snacks and charcuterie while staying light enough not to fill anyone up before dinner. Etude’s Carneros Pinot Gris, rated 92 points, is a crowd-pleaser that works for experienced wine drinkers and casual guests alike.
What is a Blanc de Noirs and why does it work for Thanksgiving?
Blanc de Noirs is a sparkling wine made from red-skinned grapes, most commonly Pinot Noir, pressed quickly so the juice runs clear. The result is a white sparkling wine with the body and red berry character of Pinot Noir. At Thanksgiving, it brings a festive energy without demanding food alongside it, making it ideal for the arrival window.
How much wine do I need for the pre-dinner hour?
One bottle per three to four guests is a reasonable baseline, assuming dinner wines will follow. If you are only opening one wine before dinner, plan slightly more generously, particularly if the kitchen hour runs long.
What temperature should white wine and Rosé be served at for Thanksgiving?
Both are best served well chilled, between 45 and 50°F. Pull them from the refrigerator 10 to 15 minutes before guests arrive, not too early or they warm quickly in a busy kitchen.
Shop all Etude wines for Thanksgiving at etudewines.com/collections/wines.
Enjoy responsibly. Pour & Protect.