15 Nov Thanksgiving Recipes & Wine Pairings
As the season of gratitude and togetherness approaches, the Joseph Jewell Wines family is excited to share something special with you. Our team—Chelsea, our marketing maven; Regan, the welcoming face of our tasting room; Adrian, our passionate winemaker; and Lily, Adrian’s culinary partner in crime—has curated a collection of their favorite recipes and wine pairings just for your Thanksgiving celebrations. These selections are crafted to enhance your holiday gatherings, bringing the perfect harmony of flavors to complement our wines.
We hope these pairings bring as much joy to your celebrations as they do to ours!
Adrian’s Smoked Turkey Recipe
Since 2007, my wife Lily and I have hosted Thanksgiving for both our family and friends. One of our favorite traditions is a turkey cook-off: I smoke one on the Weber while she roasts hers in the oven. And although I like to think my turkey wins every year (wink, wink), the smoked version is always a crowd-pleaser. Today, I’m excited to share my signature recipe that took years to perfect. The challenge is balancing a subtle smoky flavor while keeping the meat tender and juicy, which all comes down to the type of wood chips, the size of the bird, and maintaining the right temperature. Though I now have a Traeger for smoking meats, I still stick with my trusty Weber charcoal grill for Thanksgiving. I recommend the 2021 Phelps Vineyard Pinot Noir with the smoked turkey for a perfect pairing!
Get Adrian’s Smoked Turkey Recipe
2021 Phelps Vineyard Pinot Noir Humboldt County
On the nose, the wine presents beautifully layered aromas of red cherries, forest floor, and a mineral essence. These earthy nuances add layers of complexity, complemented by delicate hints of floral undertones, contributing to its overall sense of refinement. Upon tasting, the wine reveals a harmonious balance of fruit, acidity, and structure. Ripe cherries dominate the palate, their sweetness tempered by a vibrant acidity that imparts freshness and vitality. Fine-grained tannins provide a firm yet supple backbone, lending structure and depth to the wine’s velvety texture.
Lily’s Creamy Coconut Japanese Sweet Potatoes
Elevate your culinary experience this Thanksgiving with a delightful pairing that promises to be a showstopper at your table. Lily, our winemaker’s wife, is sharing her Creamy Coconut Japanese Sweet Potatoes recipe that perfectly complements the crisp and vibrant notes of our 2023 Vermentino. The rich, velvety texture of the sweet potatoes, enhanced by the tropical flavors of coconut milk and butter, creates a harmonious blend with the Vermentino’s bright acidity and refreshing citrus undertones. This pairing is sure to bring a touch of elegance and warmth to your holiday feast, making every bite and sip a memorable delight.
Get Lily’s Creamy Coconut Japanese Sweet Potatoes Recipe
2023 Vermentino
A refreshing white wine full of beeswax texture carrying flavors of honeydew melon, ripe cantaloupe, exotic kaffir lime, sweet Meyer lemon, white flowers, floral lemongrass, and crisp limestone minerality.
Chelsea’s Herbed Idaho Potato Au Gratin
As a proud Idaho native, I’ve always appreciated the humble potato and its versatility in creating comforting, crowd-pleasing dishes. This Thanksgiving, I’m excited to share a delicious recipe for Herbed Potato Au Gratin that pays homage to Idaho’s favorite ingredient while perfectly pairing with one of my favorite wines from Joseph Jewell—the beautifully balanced 2021 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir. The rich, creamy layers of golden potatoes with melted Gruyère and fresh herbs offer the perfect pairing with the wine’s vibrant acidity and earthy, red-fruit notes, making this dish a must-have for your holiday table.
Get Chelsea’s Herbed Idaho Potato Au Gratin Recipe
2021 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir
The wine presents itself on the nose with dark cherries, redwood needles, and a hint of earthy mushrooms. Flavors of cherries, cranberries, and blueberries blend on the palate with a smooth and rounded finish that lingers pleasantly.
Non-Traditional Thanksgiving, Aussie Style: Regan’s Wine Picks for a Laid-Back Celebration
Thanksgiving is usually about tradition, but for me, it’s more about creating my own way to celebrate. Being from Australia, I didn’t grow up with Thanksgiving, so when I moved here, I decided to put my own spin on it. Instead of spending the day in the kitchen, I like to keep things laid-back. Fancy take-out or homemade Tapas, good friends, a couple of great bottles of wine, binge watching a new show or an epic game of Cards Against Humanity are my idea of a perfect Thanksgiving.
This year, I’ve chosen two wines that really speak to my Thanksgiving vibe: the 2021 Panther Ridge Pinot Noir and the 2019 Raymond Burr Zinfandel. These wines are not only delicious, but they also add a sense of fun and adventure to my non-traditional day.
2021 Panther Ridge Vineyard Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is always a crowd-pleaser for me, and the 2021 Panther Ridge is no exception. It’s bright and elegant, with flavors of red cherries and cranberries, plus just a hint of earthiness. What I love about this Pinot is how versatile it is. Whether I’m ordering gourmet pizza or enjoying Tapas, this wine’s balanced acidity and smooth tannins make it a perfect match. It’s dryer and more full bodied than the pinots I enjoy usually, which is just what I want for an indulgent day of food with friends.
2019 Raymond Burr Vineyard Zinfandel
When I’m in the mood for something with a bit more boldness, the 2019 Raymond Burr Zinfandel is my go-to. This wine is rich and spicy, with flavors of blackberry, plum, and a touch of black pepper. It pairs beautifully with heartier dishes, like barbecue or something with a bit of heat, like Mexican food. The Zinfandel’s big flavors stand up to those meals, making it ideal when I’m indulging in some of my favorite take-out options.
How I Like to Celebrate
Thanksgiving, for me, isn’t about following a set routine. It’s about enjoying the day with friends, sharing some laughs, and sipping on great wine. Instead of the traditional turkey dinner, I prefer to pop open a bottle of wine and order take-out from one of my favorite local spots. We’ll gather around, eat, drink, and spend the evening playing board games, cards, or just chatting about life. It’s all about breaking the mold and doing Thanksgiving in a way that feels true to me.
So, if you’re like me and want to try something different this year, give the 2021 Panther Ridge Pinot Noir and the 2019 Raymond Burr Zinfandel a try. They’re the perfect pairing for a relaxed, non-traditional Thanksgiving celebration with friends, food, and fun.