At Beringer, the holidays are a reason to go all in — old family recipes, new flavors, and a wine poured thoughtfully alongside each dish. The right pairing doesn't just accompany the food; it amplifies it. Here are four holiday pairings that do exactly that.
At a Glance
- Pairing 1: Smoked Salmon Crostini + Private Reserve Chardonnay
- Pairing 2: Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Blue Cheese + Knights Valley Reserve Red Blend
- Pairing 3: Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Lamb Chops + Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
- Pairing 4: Roasted Duck Breast with Cherry Port Wine Sauce + Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
1. Smoked Salmon Crostini + Private Reserve Chardonnay
Smoked salmon has two qualities that define the pairing: richness and smokiness. A well-made Chardonnay meets both. The Private Reserve Chardonnay's creamy texture and barrel-influenced vanilla and oak notes harmonize with the velvety, buttery texture of the salmon. More importantly, the wine's acidity cuts through that richness cleanly — lifting the salmon's flavor rather than competing with it.
The result is a first course that feels complete: the salmon's subtle smokiness, the wine's citrus and stone fruit, and an acidity that keeps both fresh from the first bite to the last.
Why it works: Shared richness and creaminess between the wine and the salmon. Acidity provides balance and prevents the pairing from feeling heavy.
2. Bacon-Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Blue Cheese + Knights Valley Reserve Red Blend
Bacon-wrapped dates are a study in contrast — the sweetness of the date, the smokiness of the bacon, the sharp, tangy bite of blue cheese — and they need a wine that can move with all of it. The Knights Valley Reserve Red Blend, with dark berry notes, hints of spice, and a velvety texture, is built for exactly this kind of complexity.
The wine's dark fruit character amplifies the sweetness of the dates. Its spice notes find common ground with the smoky bacon. The blue cheese's sharpness provides contrast that keeps the pairing interesting through the whole bite. This is an appetizer pairing that tends to stop conversation — in the best way.
Why it works: Dark fruit mirrors the dates' sweetness. Spice complements the bacon's smokiness. Blue cheese sharpness adds contrast that keeps the pairing alive.
3. Roasted Garlic and Rosemary Lamb Chops + Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Lamb and Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most time-tested pairings in wine. The meat's richness and the wine's tannins soften each other; the herb marinade and the Cabernet's savory, earthy character speak the same language. The earthy undertones of roasted garlic and rosemary echo the wine's volcanic-terrain character, while the Cabernet's firm tannins cleanse the palate between each bite.
Knights Valley Cabernet, grown on mountain volcanic soils in Sonoma County, has the structure and depth to stand up to the bold flavors of the dish without overpowering the herbs.
Why it works: Shared herbal and earthy character. Tannins cut through the fat and protein, refreshing the palate. Structure holds up to the intensity of the dish.
4. Roasted Duck Breast with Cherry Port Wine Sauce + Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon
Duck breast is one of the most wine-friendly proteins on a holiday menu. Its rich fat and deeply savory meat create a natural counterpart to a structured red, and the cherry port wine sauce — sweet, tangy, and slightly acidic — finds a direct echo in the dark fruit and complexity of the Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon.
Sourced from a single named vineyard in Beringer's estate portfolio, the Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet brings dark fruit, hints of spice, and a velvety texture that mirrors the luxurious mouthfeel of the duck. The cherry port sauce amplifies the wine's fruit character and adds a tangy sweetness that makes the pairing feel unified rather than composed.
Why it works: Dark fruit in the wine mirrors the cherry sauce. Velvety texture echoes the duck's richness. Spice notes connect to the dish's savory depth.
Quick Reference
| Dish | Wine | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Smoked salmon crostini | Private Reserve Chardonnay | Shared creaminess; acidity cuts through richness |
| Bacon-wrapped dates with blue cheese | Knights Valley Reserve Red Blend | Dark fruit mirrors sweetness; spice complements smoke |
| Roasted garlic rosemary lamb chops | Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon | Shared herbal and earthy character; tannins cleanse the palate |
| Duck breast with cherry port sauce | Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon | Dark fruit and cherry sauce mirror each other; structure matches richness |
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine pairs with smoked salmon?
Full-bodied white wines with good acidity and creamy texture pair best with smoked salmon. Chardonnay — particularly a barrel-fermented version with richness and oak — complements the smokiness and buttery texture of the salmon while its acidity keeps the pairing balanced. Private Reserve Chardonnay is a strong choice for this reason.
What wine pairs with duck breast?
Duck breast pairs well with structured reds that have dark fruit character and enough body to complement the richness of the meat. Cabernet Sauvignon is a reliable choice, especially for preparations with fruit-based sauces. Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon, a single-vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet from Beringer's estate portfolio, is a particularly well-matched option when the dish includes a cherry or port wine reduction.
What is a red blend wine?
A red blend is a wine made from two or more grape varieties, blended together by the winemaker to achieve a specific flavor profile, structure, or complexity that a single varietal might not deliver on its own. The Knights Valley Reserve Red Blend combines Bordeaux varieties grown on Knights Valley's volcanic mountain terrain — resulting in a wine with dark berry character, spice, and a velvety texture.
What is the Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon?
Steinhauer Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon is part of Beringer's Single Vineyard collection — a wine sourced from a single named estate vineyard in Napa Valley. Single vineyard wines express the specific character of their site rather than a blended regional style. Steinhauer Ranch is known for producing a structured, complex Cabernet with dark fruit and excellent aging potential.
Building a full holiday spread? Our Holiday Cheese and Wine Board guide covers how to build a board that works beautifully alongside any of these wines.
