Hollywood Sommeliers Pick the Wines to Drink, Gift and Collect This Holiday Season

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As a seasoned sommelier with years of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that when it comes to choosing the perfect wine, I’ve seen it all! From the vineyards of Bordeaux to the sun-kissed slopes of Paso Robles, I’ve tasted some truly remarkable vintages.

As a dedicated film enthusiast, I can’t help but admire Miles Raymond from the 2004 movie “Sideways,” who was renowned for his discerning taste in wines. Not every Hollywood figure can match his expertise, but fortunately, I’ve found that local sommeliers and wine experts are more than willing to offer their insights for end-of-year celebrations, thoughtful gift-giving, and serious wine collecting.

According to Thatcher Baker-Briggs, proprietor of Thatcher’s Wine in Brentwood, the holidays are a delightful time for wine enthusiasts. In his opinion, Champagne would be his go-to choice to savor throughout an entire meal. He highlights two lesser-known vineyards that grow their own grapes, mentioning La Rogerie as one of them. This label, produced by a young husband-and-wife team, has gained significant attention and popularity for its 100% Chardonnay blend. Amaury Beaufort is another producer he recommends, as it’s one of the rare organically farmed vineyards in the Champagne region.

Rebecca Phillips, proprietor of Buvette and Vintage Wine + Eats, concurs. “When dining on a variety of vegetables, meats, herbs, flavors, and textures, opt for sparkling wine. They are the most adaptable and can be intricately complex,” she suggests. One of her preferred choices is Larmandier-Bernier Longitude Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (1er Cru). “It’s characterized by its tangy lemon curd/grapefruit zest and boasts a clean, refreshing finish.

Spice Things Up

Enhance the flavor of your holiday celebrations by opting for a zesty Syrah. As Master Sommelier Carlton McCoy puts it, “Syrah is the red-headed stepchild in the American wine family.” However, paradoxically, it’s often cherished by winemakers and sommeliers. Its versatility is unmatched, offering a substantial body without being too heavy, and boasting bright acidity without being overly acidic. It’s an ideal choice, according to McCoy. He recommends the refined styles of Syrah, such as the 2021 Halcon, Haynes, and Bedrock, for a holiday feast. Phillips also endorses this choice. She explains, “Syrah is such a delightful grape because it contains a compound called rotundone, which is found in peppercorns as well. Its higher tannins make it an excellent wine to pair with food.

David Fainberg, the Wine Director at San Ysidro Ranch – a beloved hideaway for romance in Montecito – is deeply fond of Story of Soil Duvarita Vineyard Syrah. Crafted by the gifted Jessica Gasca, this wine showcases more subtle flavors, with hints of juicy blue and black fruits, olive tapenade, and a whisper of green peppercorn.

As a wine enthusiast, I can’t help but sing praises for the Shiraz hailing from Mount Langi Ghiran in Australia’s Grampians region. This wine is renowned for its unique peppery notes, a trait that has earned it much acclaim. In fact, numerous studies have been conducted on their old vine blocks, positioning these wines among the most peppery in the global landscape. Another favorite of mine is the delicately spiced Spear Estate Pinot Noir from Lompoc. It’s a crowd-pleaser for sure!

Additionally, Fainberg suggests trying wines from The Hilt and Jonata. He describes the Chardonnay from Radian Vineyard at The Hilt as exceptional, with a rich balance of orchard and stone fruit flavors that are complemented by a refreshing acidity, making it an ideal pairing for food. For Jonata, he strongly recommends their El Alma Cabernet Franc blend, which features dark fruit, tobacco, licorice, and spice notes.

Pick Pinot

Pinot Noir continues to be the most popular wine variety, even twenty years after the movie “Sideways” made it famous. According to Phillips, “Pinot Noir is like a comfortable blanket you can always return to, but it’s delicate, so it doesn’t overpower the flavors of the food.

Xander Soren Wines is a more recent recommendation by sommeliers, particularly praised for their Pinot Noir. These wines are crafted as mini-batches, designed to provide an air of sophistication and refinement when paired with Japanese cuisine. As Jared Hooper, sommelier and wine director at Mayacama Golf Club, puts it, “Xander Soren Wines have a quiet, contemplative quality, like listening to John Coltrane.” With two decades spent at Apple, developing iTunes and GarageBand, Soren now collaborates with winemaker Shalini Sekhari. Their work has been making waves, with their wines being served at Michelin-starred eateries such as Sushi Saito in Japan, The Shota in San Francisco, Single Thread Farm Restaurant in Healdsburg, and n/naka in Los Angeles. Shar Guillermo, Beverage Director at The Shota, describes their wines as “delicately elegant with a hint of spice that makes them ideal for the holiday season.” These wines harmoniously balance the sweetness of potatoes while remaining assertive enough to complement savory pork roasts.

Looking for another exceptional Pinot Noir? Rhys Winery, praised by Melissa L. Smith, Founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services wine cellar management, is renowned for producing some of the finest and most desirable Pinot Noirs in Northern California. Situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Anderson Valley, Kevin Harvey has not spared any expense in his winery production. If you manage to get your hands on a bottle, it’s advisable to store and age it properly for optimal enjoyment. Additionally, Kosta Browne is considered iconic by many, as Michael Browne and Dan Kosta have significantly contributed to the elevation of California Pinot Noir.

Go for Gamay

It may not be on your radar yet, but Gamay is a varietal that’s having a moment. “It’s Beaujolais, which is a historical wine region — it just feels new to a lot of people because they’re just discovering it,” says Phillips. “Gamay is a great pairing wine and it’s light bodied, versatile, and juicy,” she adds. Pleasing picks include 2022 Lucy Gamay Noir from the Pisani Family in Santa Lucia Highlands and Ernst Storm’s Presqu’ile Vineyard Gamay.

Rosé All Year

Rosé is often associated with the glory of summer, but it’s a perennial winner. “Rosé all day? More like Rosé all year!” exclaims Phillips. “Rosé is great because it offers some red fruit flavors like watermelon and strawberry that whites can’t, while still being light and refreshing.” She likes 2023 Lemonade by Brianna Day from Day Wine in Oregon. “And my old faithful is the Domaine Tempier, a classic Grenache blend from the Bandol region of France,” she adds.

Another noteworthy option is the No. 1 Rosé from Tabalipa Wine Co., a venture by costume designer Paula Tabalipa and her husband, Michael Greenberg, co-founder of Skechers. They’ve joined forces with Dragonette Cellars in this endeavor, with their grapes coming from their historical 20-acre estate, Living Life Vineyard in Los Olivos. You might be familiar with Whispering Angel from Chateau d’Esclans, a renowned producer from Provence. However, there are other high-end options within their collection such as Les Clans and Garrus. According to Phillips, “This is a classic producer from a classic region, and if you’re seeking a perfect match for your holiday pairings, these will complement everything beautifully.

Broaden your wine tasting experiences by exploring wines outside of Provencal Rosé. The Upper Galilee Mountain range in Israel, standing 1,000 meters above sea level, is perfect for vineyards. The Galil Mountain Bar Rosé is a unique blend of Sangiovese, Pinot Noir, Barbera, and Grenache. It’s produced using the saignée method, giving it a darker hue compared to the lighter, Provence-style Rosés. As Phillips explains, “The color doesn’t necessarily reflect the sweetness level; instead, it’s just an indicator of the grape skins’ contact with the wine.

Gusto Gifts

Delighting wine aficionados on your gift lists isn’t easy, especially if the recipient is a devoted collector. But orchestrating a Ty Warner Wine Collective sommelier-led tasting inside the 14,000-bottle cellar at San Ysidro Ranch is a singular experience any unwavering connoisseur will relish. Visitors to the ranch, home to one of the rarest collections of Chateau Y’quem, can marvel over this prized allocation of the world’s most exalted sweet wine, which includes the fabled 1811 “comet vintage,” reportedly the costliest white wine ever sold. The cellar also houses a 70-vintage vertical collection of Chateau Petrus featuring every bottle produced by the estate in Bordeaux since the venerated 1945 vintage.

Gifting elite wines can make an impression, such as the majestic Chappellet 2021 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon or Larkmead’s Solari Cabernet Sauvignon. Baker-Briggs also points to Jacques-Frederic Mugnier in Burgundy. “These are some of the most profound and collectible wines around!” he proclaims. And Roc Breia is what he refers to as “one of the most exciting young guns in Burgundy.”

As a gamer, I’d be thrilled to share an unforgettable experience with the exclusive Château Ducru-Beaucaillou Celebration Collection ($28,000) – a breathtaking gathering of 100 bottles from their premium selection, straight from the legendary vineyards of Bordeaux. This is a game-changing moment for wine enthusiasts like myself!

Hidden Gems

Hidden gem wines can make an impact. Clos Solène is from another husband-and-wife team – Guillaume and Solène Fabre. Guillaume, who hails from a winemaking family in France, could have been making wine in Bordeaux but was seduced by the terroir of Paso Robles. Catch the crisp 2023 Hommage Blanc (coined as “the white wine for red drinkers”) and the smooth 2021 Fleur de Solène, a California red blend, while you can. And Phillips is “obsessed” with two Santa Barbara County winemakers — James Sparks of Kings Carey and Jessica Gasca of Story of Soil and Strange Family Vineyards (which just opened the prettiest tasting room in Los Olivos). “Kings Carey is so fun and modern, and the wines do really well for us,” she says. “And I love Jessica because she creates really delicious, interesting wines that are more nuanced.”

Constant Crowd Pleasers

Pouring classic crowd pleasers like Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon and Belle Glos Pinot Noir is also essential. “While these wines may not impress your unicorn bottle chasing brother-in-law, they will absolutely check the box for traditional California wines,” says Phillips. “They are sure to invoke the warmth of the holidays.”

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2024-12-05 21:56