Every Christmas, I watch it happen. Someone realizes they forgot wine, panic-grabs a random bottle on the way to dinner, and hopes the label does the talking. We’ve all done it. I’ve done it. But if you’re already spending time cooking, hosting, or showing up for people you care about, the wine deserves a little more thought.
California makes some of the best wine in the world, and you don’t have to default to a last-minute grocery store pick to find it. There are incredible wineries across the state that feel personal, intentional, and genuinely worth supporting, especially during the holidays when your dollars actually matter.
This year, instead of buying random wine for Christmas, upgrade. These are the California wineries I’m buying from and happily pouring at my holiday table.
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Bodkin Wines
2015 Gewürztraminer “The Bohemian” by Bodkin Wines
This is the bottle to bring when you want something unexpected on the table. Bodkin Wines is a Black-owned California winery founded by Chris Christensen, a self-taught winemaker known for high-acid, low-alcohol wines that feel fresh and intentional.
“The Bohemian” is bone-dry and wildly refreshing, with spicy ginger notes, subtle florals, and a crisp finish that cuts through rich holiday food instead of competing with it. It’s a great pick for people who say they don’t like sweet whites. You can order it directly from Bodkin Wines online, and at around $25, it feels thoughtful without being precious.
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Sutro
2021 Merlot by SUTRO Wine Co.
If the movie Sideways permanently scared you off Merlot, consider this your official permission to move on. SUTRO’s 2021 Merlot proves the grape has been unfairly maligned for years. This woman-founded, family-run winery produces tiny amounts of Bordeaux varietals from Warnecke Ranch in Alexander Valley, where volcanic soils and steep terraces shape wines with real character.
Expect bright red fruit like cherry and raspberry, a subtle savory note, and a smooth, elegant finish that feels polished without being heavy. Only 82 cases were produced, making this a standout bottle for a Christmas table. You can order it directly from SUTRO Wine Co., or add their St. Helena tasting room to your next Sonoma trip.
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Flowers
2023 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay by Flowers Vineyard
This is the Chardonnay I pour for people who swear they don’t like Chardonnay. Flowers sits high above the Sonoma Coast, where cool fog and ocean air shape wines that are fresh, restrained, and quietly elegant.
The 2023 vintage leans crisp and balanced, with bright citrus, subtle stone fruit, and just enough richness to feel special without drifting into buttery territory. It’s an easy crowd-pleaser for a Christmas table, especially with seafood, roast chicken, or creamy sides. You can order it online directly from Flowers Vineyard, and it’s also fairly easy to find at well-stocked wine shops if you’re browsing shelves in person and want something reliable but elevated.
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Madson
2024 Passetoutgrain by Madson Wines
Madson Wines is a newer Santa Cruz Mountains producer focused on regenerative farming, native ferments, and very limited-production wines, and they already feel like a place to watch. Their 2024 Passetoutgrain blends Gamay and Pinot Noir from high-elevation, coastal mountain vineyards, resulting in a wine that’s bright, lifted, and wildly drinkable.
Expect juicy red fruit like wild strawberry and pomegranate, floral notes, a touch of white pepper, and a savory, mineral-driven finish that keeps you reaching for another glass. I tasted here on a bottling day, which made the experience feel extra special, and everything they poured was a crowd-pleaser. This bottle is available through Madson’s wine club, so it’s one to plan ahead for, join the list, and stock up on for holiday gatherings and beyond.
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Rodney Strong
2019 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon by Rodney Strong
This is the bottle I reach for when I want something classic, confident, and guaranteed to please a Cabernet-loving crowd. Rodney Strong has been a Sonoma staple for decades, but their Reserve Cabernet shows what happens when they slow things down and get serious.
The 2019 has deep red and black fruit, firm tannins, and just enough oak to feel structured without tipping into overdone. It’s bold, polished, and built to age, but still works beautifully alongside a big holiday meal right now. You can order it directly from Rodney Strong online or at Total Wine, and it’s also widely available at wine shops, making it an easy upgrade pick if you’re shopping in person and want something reliable that still feels special.
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Iron Horse
Winter’s Cuvée 2020 by Iron Horse Vineyards
This is one of my favorite sparkling wines to open in winter, and the Iron Horse tasting room doesn’t hurt either. The views alone make it worth the visit if you’re ever in Sonoma. Winter’s Cuvée is made specifically for the season, and it shows. The 2020 vintage is elegant and cozy at the same time, with fine bubbles, notes of toasted brioche, warm spice, roasted nuts, and bright citrus that keep everything balanced and celebratory.
You can order it directly from Iron Horse online, or pick it up in person if you’re visiting, and it’s one of those splurge sparklers that truly feels like part of the holiday ritual.
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Clif Family Wines
2021 Kit’s Killer Cab by Clif Family Winery
This is my personal favorite Napa winery, and the bottle I save for Christmas when I want the night to feel a little more special. I’ve poured Kit’s Killer Cab more holiday seasons than I can count, and it’s become one of those wines that immediately signals celebration for me.
The 2021 vintage is bright and juicy, full of sun-ripened raspberries and blueberries, with just enough cedar and mocha to feel cozy and indulgent. It’s made from organically farmed grapes in Napa Valley’s Oak Knoll District, and it somehow manages to pair with everything I actually want to eat during the holidays, from a big roast to a messy cheese board to something chocolate at the end. Order it directly from Clif Family’s website and if you ever make it to Napa, their winery is one I always recommend visiting in person.
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Tooth & Nail
2021 Amor Fati Blanc de Blancs by Tooth & Nail Wine Co.
Tooth & Nail’s Amor Fati Blanc de Blancs is polished, celebratory, and unapologetically festive, made from Chardonnay grown in the Santa Lucia Highlands. It’s crisp and dry with notes of pear, golden apple, lemon-lime, and just enough brioche to feel indulgent without being heavy.
The acidity keeps everything lively, which makes it perfect for toasts, appetizers, or lingering by the tree before dinner even starts. You can order it directly from Tooth & Nail online, and it’s a great choice if you want one special sparkling bottle that feels intentional and memorable instead of an afterthought.
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Banshee
2022 Sonoma County Pinot Noir by Banshee
Banshee is one of those California staples I always recommend when someone wants good wine without overthinking it or overspending. It’s easy to find at grocery stores and wine shops, especially around California, and the price point makes it an obvious win for holiday hosting.
The 2022 Pinot Noir is smooth, approachable, and way better than it needs to be for under $20, with bright cherry and raspberry notes, a touch of black tea, and a soft, silky finish. It’s incredibly food-friendly and works with everything from roast chicken to holiday sides. If you’re shopping in person and want a reliable bottle that tastes great and won’t blow the budget, this is the one to grab off the shelf.
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Larson
2022 Millerick Road Meritage by Larson Family Winery
Larson Family Winery has been making wine in Sonoma for generations, and their motto, “We drink what we can, and sell the rest,” tells you exactly how seriously and joyfully they take it. The 2022 Millerick Road Meritage blends Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Merlot sourced from three Sonoma County AVAs, resulting in a rich but balanced red with dark fruit, cassis, fig, plum, and a plush, velvety texture.
The oak is present but restrained, giving the wine structure and a long, elegant finish that works beautifully with a holiday meal. Only 202 cases were produced, so it feels special without being intimidating. You can order it directly from Larson online or visit their Carneros winery, where the family and their very beloved wine dogs are usually part of the scene.
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Ridge
2023 Three Valleys Red by Ridge Vineyards
This is one of my go-to recommendations when someone wants a serious California red at a very reasonable price. Ridge has been a benchmark winery for decades, known for its transparent, low-intervention approach and deep respect for vineyard character, and Three Valleys is one of the easiest ways to experience that without splurging.
The 2023 vintage is generous but polished, with ripe raspberry and blueberry flavors layered with plum, licorice, pepper, and a savory edge that keeps it grounded. It’s medium-bodied, food-friendly, and works especially well with beef or lamb on a holiday table. You can order it online, but it’s also widely available at grocery stores and wine shops, making it a great grab-while-you’re-out option.
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Baldacci
2022 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon by Baldacci Family Vineyards
This is the bottle I open when I really want to impress the Christmas table. It’s one of my favorite wines I’ve had this holiday season, and the kind of Napa Cabernet that immediately gets people talking after the first sip. Which is hard to do, as Napa pumps out a lot of great wine.
Baldacci’s 2022 Oakville Cab is polished but not stiff, with rich black cherry, blackberry, and cola spice up front, followed by notes of sagebrush, bay laurel, tobacco, and a hint of blood orange that keeps everything fresh. The tannins are firm and structured without being aggressive, giving the wine presence and length while still making it very drinkable. Only 720 cases were produced, which adds to the appeal if you’re bringing something special to dinner. You can order it directly from Baldacci online, and it’s a standout choice when you want your holiday wine to feel intentional, confident, and memorable.
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Korbel
Korbel Natural Sparkling Wine
Korbel is one of my go-to California sparkling wines, and I think it gets overlooked purely because the price is so reasonable. (Same reason people think screw-top wines aren’t as sophicated but that’s another rant for another day).
I’m literally sipping this exact bottle as I write this. Korbel Natural is crisp, dry, and incredibly consistent, with bright green apple from the Chardonnay and tart cherry and raspberry notes from Pinot Noir. It’s refreshing without being sharp and works just as well for Christmas morning mimosas as it does for evening toasts.
You can find it easily at grocery stores and wine shops, especially in California, or order it online for delivery. If you ever make it up to Guerneville, stopping by the Korbel winery is absolutely worth it for the history, the grounds, and a reminder that great sparkling wine doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag.
Shop Local This Season
If you drink wine, where you buy it matters more than ever right now. The wine industry is feeling the squeeze, especially small and independent wineries.
Order these bottles online, seek them out on store shelves, or better yet, visit the vineyards on your next California tasting trip. Supporting wineries like these keeps real people in business and makes your Christmas table feel a little more intentional. If you’re going to pour wine this holiday season, consider skipping the boxed brands and backing your neighbors instead.
Dining and Cooking