Guide to Seasonal Wine Pairings: What to Drink in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall
January 2025 is well underway, and many of us are filling our blank calendars with important events, exciting trips, and plans for the months ahead. As we do our best to visualize the year, it’s refreshing to see how Mother Nature keeps us grounded with her rhythm of the four seasons. This natural cycle keeps us connected to the earth and gives us exciting things to look forward to, like first snowfalls, spring weddings, ripe summer tomatoes, and the vibrant colors of fall.
Wine, however, is always in season. You can enjoy a crisp Rosé in the middle of winter or a bold Cabernet on a summer evening. But certain varietals seem to harmonize best with specific seasons, influenced by the weather, the food we’re eating, and the celebrations we’re enjoying.
At our core, we’re passionate about making the best wines possible and showcasing them at their very best. It’s about finding the perfect moment, setting, or pairing to let a wine truly shine. Whether you’re stocking your cellar for the year ahead or experimenting with new food pairings, here’s our guide to the ideal wine pairings for Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Winter: Savory and Rich Wines
Syrah, Cabernet, Roussanne, Viognier
Winter is the time to dust off the bold, hearty bottles from your wine rack. Stretching from December through March, it’s the coldest and coziest season of the year, punctuated by big, savory meals and festive holidays. From Christmas Eve feasts to Valentine’s Day dinners, winter calls for wine pairings that can stand up to the season’s rich flavors and celebratory spirit.
For classic dishes like filet mignon or Beef Bourguignon, a bold Cabernet Sauvignon is the way to go. Look for one with notes of sage, blueberry, cacao powder, and black olive. Its firm tannin and dark fruit flavors create a flawless balance with the richness of red meats and robust sauces.
When the menu turns to lighter yet still indulgent fare, rich white wine pairings like Roussanne or Viognier is the answer. These wines’ velvety textures and famously aromatic profiles—think honeyed pear, white flowers, and a hint of spice—make them ideal companions for butternut squash soup, fresh oysters, or seared scallops on creamy risotto. Our Venus is an amazing option for winter seafood.
One pairing that truly shines in winter is Joe Donelan’s favorite: Syrah and lamb. Syrah’s complex layers of leather, black truffle, olive, bacon fat, and plum make it a natural match for slow-cooked lamb stew, bacon-wrapped goat cheese-stuffed dates, or spare ribs. We recommend our Cuvée Keltie or Kobler Syrah for the job. And if you really want to swing for the senses, try our Syrah Grande.
Spring: Light and Aromatic Wines
Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gamay
Spring spans March through June, bringing a blend of crisp, cool days and the first warm breezes of the year. Depending on where you live, you might still see snow melting in March or enjoy hot afternoons by May. It’s also a season of celebrations—Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Father’s Day are all spring highlights, along with weddings and graduations that mark new beginnings.
Spring is a season of brightness, blooming aromas, soft new colors, and the joy of spending time outdoors again. These qualities translate beautifully to wine pairings that mirror the freshness and vitality of the season.
For lighter fare and sunny afternoons, a dry Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, or unoaked Chardonnay offers a garden of spring-like aromas: orange blossoms, key lime, jasmine, and a touch of sea breeze. These wines shine alongside vibrant dishes like pesto pasta, colorful salads, or lightly grilled vegetables. Our Nancie Chardonnay is an elegant and balanced white for springtime wine pairings.
As the weather warms, heartier dishes like roasted chicken over orzo take center stage. For these meals, consider soft reds like Gamay or a lighter Pinot Noir. Their gentle red fruit notes—think strawberry or cranberry—combine with delicate herbal undertones to enhance seasonal ingredients without overwhelming them.
Summer: Fruit-Forward and Refreshing Wines
Syrah, Rosé, Chardonnay
Even when it’s not the 4th of July or Labor Day, most summer weekends are spent in a similar fashion enjoying the long days and being by the water. Fruits and vegetables are at their peak ripeness, fresh salmon is in season, and it’s prime time for barbecue. To complement these rich and ripe summer qualities, you need wines that refresh and enhance—fruit-forward reds, crisp whites, and tropical-tinged rosés.
For grilling enthusiasts, a medium-bodied Syrah or Rhône Red Blend is a match for smoky, charred flavors. Think juicy plum notes with a touch of spice and cedar wood to complement ribeye steaks, chicken wings, or barbecued pork. Wines like our Cuvée Christine Syrah bring just the right amount of fruit and structure to stand up to hearty summer dishes without overpowering them.
For a white wine to enjoy in the lazy summer afternoons, a chilled Chardonnay with minerality, green pineapple, and honeycomb notes is a versatile choice. It’s delicious on its own and also pairs beautifully with dishes like pasta salads, grilled shrimp, or crostini. (We love this Peach Parmesan Crostini from Half Baked Harvest.) The wine’s creamy texture and balanced acidity make it a summer staple.
And, of course, summer wouldn’t be complete without a glass of crisp Rosé by the pool. Opt for a Rosé bursting with grapefruit, plumeria, and watermelon—it’s a quintessential summer wine that pairs as easily with grilled fish tacos as it does with a platter of fresh strawberries. Serve it slightly chilled during hot afternoons.
Fall: Oaky and Earthy Wines
Pinot Noir, Grenache, Chardonnay
Fall is another transitional season, spanning warm September afternoons to frosty December mornings. It’s marked by the earthy scents of fallen leaves, cozy gatherings, and traditions—football games, Halloween festivities, and, of course, Thanksgiving. The season is a feast for the senses, with orchard fruits like apples and pears at their peak and the scents of baking spices in the air. Fresh crab is in season as well as wild mushrooms and hearty vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and carrots.
To match the rustic qualities of fall, turn to wine pairings that mirror the season’s warmth and depth. Fuller-bodied Pinot Noirs with notes of cinnamon, cedar, blood orange, and sous bois are a match for dishes like roasted chicken, stuffed squash, or creamy mushroom risotto. Their earthiness and smooth tannin highlight the complexity of autumnal ingredients.
For something with a bit more spice and berry fruits, Grenache is an excellent choice. Grenache’s tobacco, raspberry, and white pepper notes are ideal with roasted duck, pork chops, or your traditional Thanksgiving spread. In fact, we always recommend the Cuvée Moriah or one of our many Pinots (particularly Tripp’s Block) for Thanksgiving—they enhance everything from the turkey to the sides to the pumpkin desserts.
When it comes to white wine pairings, fall is the perfect time to enjoy Chardonnays with an oakier essence of nutmeg, red apple tart, and buttered croissant. Drink this style of Chardonnay with dishes like succulent crab cakes or even a simple wheel of warm brie served with toasted nuts and honey. The combination of creaminess, spicy seasonings, subtle sweetness, buttery texture, and acidity is a mouth-watering wine pairing.
Sipping Through the Year
Wine is always in season (lucky for us!), but there’s something truly special about choosing a bottle that suits the Sunday afternoon weather, a new Tuesday night dinner recipe, or a birthday brunch with friends. At Donelan Family Wines, we put a lot of thought and care into crafting our wines—so why not bring the same intention to drinking them? With the right varietal in your glass, you can unlock a wine’s full potential and even develop your palate along the way. At the end of the day, we believe there’s always something worth celebrating and pairing the perfect wine with those moments will only make them more memorable.
Quick Guide to Seasonal Wine Pairings
To recap, here’s a condensed version of our guide to help you pick wines as the seasons change.
Winter Wine Pairings
Reds: Savory, bold, velvety tannin, dark purple, blue, and black fruit profiles like Syrah and Cabernet.
Whites: Rich, opulent, honey notes, and creamy textures like Roussanne and Viognier.
Spring Wine Pairings
Reds: Lighter-bodied, herbal, softer red fruit qualities like Gamay or Pinot Noir.
Whites: Bright, aromatic, floral, citrus-driven Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, or unoaked Chardonnay
Summer Wine Pairings
Reds: Medium-bodied with ripe fruit flavors like Syrahs or Rhône Blends.
Whites: Crisp, refreshing, light-fruit, minerality, and good acidity like a slightly oaked Chardonnay.
Rosé: Bright, lighter in color, with tropical notes.
Fall Wine Pairings
Reds: Medium to full-bodied, spice, berry fruit, and earthy notes, like Pinot Noir or Grenache.
Whites: Oakier Chardonnays with orchard fruit and baking spice aromas.