While few wineries are open on Thanksgiving Day, Wine Country has a cornucopia of events, dinners, and specials for the holiday. Options range from hosted dinners at wine-country resorts, take-home winery feasts, and wine-soaked festivals. The following is what's on our agenda:
EVENTS
Napa
Most locals attend Yountville’s Annual Festival of Lights on November 25, but many tourists are also making this a holiday tradition. The streets are packed with people, tasty bites, horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping, entertainment, and loads of wine. The lighting ceremony is from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. and bars, restaurants, and tasting rooms will be rocking until the wee hours.
The Trefethen family is inviting guests to an intimate post-Thanksgiving Twilight Tasting on Friday night. When others hit the road, you'll explore the historic winery and then indulge in barrel samples, exclusive wines, and treats designed to balance the heavy dinner from the night before.
Sonoma
Burn off the Turkey with the Roche Winery Vineyards Ride. Known for hospitality, a member of the Roche family will meet you at Wine Country Cyclery, where they are offering a family turkey burn special, which includes a 2-for-1 rental, and will host you for a ride through the vines.
Photo courtesy of Osmosis Day Spa
Sweat out your Thanksgiving excess with Osmosis Day Spa's “Bask in Gratitude” special, which includes a cleansing Cedar Enzyme Bath, followed by a Hemi-sync blanket wrap. $109 per couple.
Visit your choice of 27 wineries throughout Sonoma Valley for the 29th annual Heart of Sonoma Holiday Open-House, where you'll meet the winemakers, mingle in the caves and cellars, and taste tons of wines. $45, Fri. 11/23 and Sat. 11/24.
Join West Wines for their Scandinavian Christmas celebration complete with Swedish Glogg (a simmering red wine, spiced with cinnamon, cloves, orange rind and raisins). 11/23 - 11/25.
DINNERS
Children ages 4 and under free at most locations.
Napa
Join Siena Restaurantfor their “Keep Calm and Gobble On” dinner that includes all of the typical Thanksgiving favorites plus a “gobble bag” to go for $49.
Silverado Resort and Spa is offering Thanksgiving dining options that range from a traditional buffet special to a three-course meal, and with Chef Jake at the helm, you can’t go wrong. Adults $58, kids $27.
FARM has a traditional “Family Style” Thanksgiving dinner in their elegant and homey space. Adults $69, kids $35, take out for 6-8 people $240.
Chef Todd Humphries won’t come cook in your home, but you can take Kitchen Door's Thanksgiving to-go and impress your friends with a chef-made holiday experience. Feast for four $140.
Sonoma and Livermore:
Nick's Cove is offering traditional Thanksgiving dishes and regional specialties like wood-fired whole Dungeness crab and the views can’t be beat. Three seatings at 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., $49 per person.
Photo courtesy of Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar
Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar is preparing a special Thanksgiving menu with roasted organic turkey, mashed potatoes, brioche dressing, and a plethora of desserts. Adults $55, kids $30.
Funky and zesty Spoonbar is serving a specially-crafted, multi-coursed Thanksgiving dinner. Adults $55, kids $15.
Wente Vineyards won't host you for dinner, but they do offer a pick up dinner for 6 for $249 and will recommend wines to pair.
Click here for a complete list of Napa Businesses open for Thanksgiving.
