2023 Bloodroot Petillant Naturel

What would the holidays be without a glass of sparkling? Not nearly as festive, of course.

The 2023 Bloodroot Petillant Naturel ($48), of which I received a sample, will get the party started in lively fashion.

Not only is it the palest of blush in color, but it’s made entirely of the little-known Trousseau Gris, a French varietal that is grown in small amounts in eastern France and was once widely harvested in California as Gray Riesling. Healdsburg’s Bloodroot, so named in honor of the “blood” of the vines being nourished by its “roots,” makes this particular wine from Russian River Valley-grown grapes.

It is produced in the petillant naturel method, in which the unfiltered wine is bottled before the first fermentation is completed, trapping the carbon dioxide for natural carbonation.

It has a soda pop-type bottle top, and extremely lively effervescence to match. Pour it into a glass and the bubbles will foam up immediately like a just-opened soda.

It’s dry and super crisp with honeysuckle and nectarine notes, along with a hint of strawberry and rose petals. It’s an ideal aperitif to greet guests.

Cheers: Each year, Bloodroot presents The Ramble, its own music and wine festival in Healdsburg. All proceeds from the weekend event go toward fighting gun violence, through the winery’s partnership with Giffords, an advocacy organization dedicated to preventing gun violence that was co-founded by U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, U.S. Senator Mark Kelly.

Bloodroot owners Kelly Dorrance and Noah Dorrance founded the festival in honor of their 9-year-old niece Evelyn Dieckhaus, who tragically died in a school shooting in Nashville in 2023.

2022 Bouchaine Napa Valley Estate Pinot Noir

Unless prime rib is the centerpiece, the varietal that I almost always reach for first when serving holiday dinner is Pinot Noir. It’s versatile enough to pair with all manner of dishes at this time of year. For some of my relatives who find Cabernet Sauvignon a little too brawny and tannic, Pinot Noir hits with its lighter body and gentler profile, too.

The 2022 Bouchaine Napa Valley Estate Pinot Noir ($42), of which I received a sample, is sure to win over guests with its light garnet color, and enchanting aromas of cocoa and cherry. It tastes of cherries, strawberries, roses, black tea, and a touch of tobacco.

Made from grapes from the Carneros appellation, it holds its own alongside baked ham, pork pate, roast guinea hen, and even Peking duck.

Pick up a bottle at Grapes & Grain, Wine.com, or ForWineLovers.

Cheers: Napa’s Bouchaine is the oldest continuously operating winery in Carneros. For an unforgettable experience, visit the winery to enjoy a glass of wine while experiencing falconry in its vineyard. every Friday at 10 a.m.. Master Falconer Rebecca Rosen will show off her hawks, owls, and falcons, and explain how they help during the grape harvest. Price is $95 per person, and reservations are required 24 hours in advance.