Hosts set the tone. Keep it welcoming and abundantly simple: plan gracious pours (no guesswork), anchor the table with crowd-loving Zinfandel, prep a few make-ahead bites, and cue a playlist that warms the room. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s connection—five generations of our family would agree.
Around here, the holidays aren’t a production—they’re a promise: good food, generous pours, and people who matter. We believe in dinners that stretch past dessert, in stories that surface when the room feels safe, and in Zinfandel that carries tradition forward, one toast at a time. All are welcome; there’s always another chair.
Wine and food are how we knit a room together—shared plates, passed stories, glasses refilled before anyone has to ask. If you’d like a simple rule to be the host everyone thanks later, plan for two glasses per guest in the first hour, and one glass per guest each hour after. A standard 750 ml bottle yields about five 5-oz pours, so round up and add a comfort bottle or two; it reads as care, not excess.
10 guests × 3 hours ≈ 40 glasses → 8 bottles
20 guests × 4 hours ≈ 100 glasses → 20 bottles
Offering beer or cocktails too? Shift 30–50% of those “glasses” away from wine based on your crowd; keep non-alcoholic options within easy reach.
Set the table with bites that play beautifully with Zin’s bold fruit and spice. Each is minimal on day-of effort—and linked so you can tap the full method.
Smoked Salmon Potato-Chip Canapés — crème fraîche, lemon zest, chive, and crunch.
Get the recipe (Southern Living) Southern Living
Mushroom-Gruyère Tartlets — puff pastry, caramelized mushrooms, golden edges.
Get the recipe (Brown Eyed Baker) Brown Eyed Baker
Steak Crostini with Horseradish Cream — tender slices, a cool bite of heat, perfect with Zin.
Get the recipe (Whisper of Yum) Whisper of Yum
Make-ahead tip: prep components earlier in the day; finish in 10 minutes as guests arrive.
Start warm and familiar, glide into modern favorites, and land on family-sing-along. Keep the volume where conversation wins.
Frank Sinatra — “Fly Me to the Moon” • Etta James — “At Last” • Bill Withers — “Lovely Day” • Ella & Louis — “Cheek to Cheek” • Dean Martin — “That’s Amore” • Norah Jones — “Come Away With Me” • Earth, Wind & Fire — “September” • Taylor Swift — “Cruel Summer” (Taylor’s Version) • Taylor Swift — “Lover” • Harry Styles — “As It Was” • Corinne Bailey Rae — “Put Your Records On” • Michael Bublé — “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” • Nat King Cole — “The Christmas Song” • Bad Bunny & Bomba Estéreo — “Ojitos Lindos” • Dua Lipa — “Levitating” • John Legend — “All of Me” • Hall & Oates — “You Make My Dreams” • Elvis Presley — “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Morning of: chill white wines, stage reds slightly cool; slice baguette; set a self-serve water station with citrus.
One hour out: start playlist, light candles, open a bottle to breathe; designate a gift-drop spot.
Arrivals: greet at the door; offer a first pour and one simple bite; accept help the way you pour wine—graciously.
After dessert: set a small digestif tray; welcome a 10-minute tidy from anyone who insists.
Bold, gracious, rooted in family—our Zinfandels were born for nights like these.
Sonoma Zinfandel — bright, richly fruited, balanced; a welcome pour from first toast to last story.
Old Vine Zinfandel — depth and heritage in the glass; layered spice and length for hearty holiday plates.
Home Ranch Zinfandel — iconic estate character from vines dating to 1895; worthy of the head of the table.
A trio curated for gathering well: Sonoma Zinfandel • Old Vine Zinfandel • Home Ranch Zinfandel. Thoughtful, not showy—arrives beautifully, pours even better. [Shop Now]
Need a hand? Our concierge team can recommend the right bottles for any gathering. [Contact Us]