American Winery Blog

My mom has made this recipe every Thanksgiving for as long as I can remember. It’s one of those things I look forward to about Thanksgiving. Pair with Destino’s Rosé of Syrah for a great match.

It’s NOT your grandma’s green bean casserole!

1.25 lbs of steamed fresh broccoli, chopped
1 can cream of mushroom soup
3/4 cup mayonnaise (light works fine, but not miracle whip)
2 eggs
1/2 sweet onion small dice
1.5 cup cheddar cheese
1.5 cups stuffing mix
4 TBS melted butter

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix together the mayonnaise, mushroom soup and egg.
3. In a 2-3 quart casserole dish, layer 1/2 the broccoli, half the soup mixture, and half of the cheese. Create a second layer of the same.
4. Sprinkle, spread the stuffing mix on top of both layers, drizzle with melted butter and bake for 30-35 minutes uncovered.

Your Thanksgiving celebration wouldn’t be complete without family and friends, decadent dishes, and that perfect bottle of wine. Personally, I find that the whole thing goes down a bit better after a few glasses of wine… I’m talking to you, close-talking Uncle Bob, and to you, shrieking-laugh Aunt Susie.

Whatever Thanksgiving traditions you hold dear, the flavors of Thanksgiving are complimented by Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Rosé.

It just so happens, however, that the flavors of Thanksgiving are EXPENSIVE! Add up that turkey, the potatoes, the gravy and fixin’s, the homemade apple pies and pumpkin pies, and the last thing you want to add to the shopping list is a pricey bottle of wine.

But get ready to BE THANKFUL… there are hundreds of good wines under $20 that will enhance your Thanksgiving feast without breaking the bank.

We’ll start with Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir’s berry and spice flavors and structure make it a perfect accompaniment to your savory dishes.

Some of my favorite Pinots for Thanksgiving under $20:

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On to Riesling – a crowd-pleaser with a variety of finishes from dry to sweet. Riesling is amazingly versatile, just like the American Thanksgiving table. Serve Riesling with a flavorful salad to start your Thanksgiving dinner off right!

Here are just a few of my favorite Rieslings under $20:

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Lastly, we come to Rosé. I have fallen in love with Rosé as not just a great summer sippin’ wine, but as a year-rounder that makes a perfect semi-dry counterpart to even the richest Thanksgiving dishes. Rose is also a fantastic base for mulled wine – just add cranberry juice, a mulling spice packet (available at many wineries and specialty stores) and a stick of cinnamon for a warm, comforting delight after your pumpkin pie!

The Best Rosés under $20:

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This just skims the surface of the amazing wine selections available under $20 to accompany any family gathering. I know I’ll be sipping on some of the wines I list above along with a few new discoveries… no matter what you serve this Thanksgiving, give thanks this year with those you love.

As the days get shorter, and the winds start chilling you to the bone, it’s time to get home, get a fire going, and prepare a savory meal.   This pasta dish is my interpretation of a meal prepared for me many years ago.  I never got the recipe, but this is pretty close, and reminds me of the beautiful restaurant I worked at the time.  I love to pair it with the Isenhower Snapdragon, as I think this white blend has the perfect acidity to match with the creaminess of the sauce.
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Cabernet and Syrah are my go-to wines, but when summer rolls around, I start chilling some whites. There is nothing like a “cold one” after a long day at work! One of my favorite recipes goes great with Gewurztraminer, a wine that’s a lot like your summer camp crush, sweet yet daring. The aromas of honeysuckle and peach are heady, and when paired with the spiciness of Phad Thai, Guwertz can make you blush harder than you did when you got caught staring.

Try my Phad Thai with Taft Street Winery 2007 Mendocino County Gewurztraminer, or this fantastic NW offering Springhouse Cellar 2007 Gorge-Traminer which is bone dry.

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