Bringing Joy to Your Thanksgiving Meal

As we wrap up a wonderful harvest season here in Napa Valley, we look to relaxing days while sharing delicious healthy meals and great wines with friends and family. Simplify your holiday preparations while enhancing what’s on the table with recipes and tips for a joyful season ahead.

Our Thanksgiving meal will begin with guests enjoying a glass of Napa Valley Estate Sauvignon Blanc or Rosé with light appetizers to include Deviled Eggs and Winter Crudités with cheese dip. Family and friends will fill their glasses with Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley Estate Élu and Rutherford Estate Vineyard Merlot as they take a seat at the table to enjoy a traditional turkey and sides, including Holiday Stuffing Muffin Cups and Honey Roasted Carrots with Vodouvan Yogurt. For dessert, we like to serve Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Muscat Canelli paired with a decadent cheesecake. For additional recommendations and recipes, visit our popular 7 Ways to Win at Thanksgiving blog post and watch our handy turkey carving video.

We wish you and your loved ones health and happiness as you share the joy of the season.

Preparing Your Turkey with Chef Vince Sanchez

I like to brine my turkey. I don’t feel it needs basting as long as I’ve done my job with a good brine. I combine salt, water, chili flakes, garlic, lemon, honey, thyme, parsley, bay leaves, rosemary and black pepper. I brine the bird for 24 hours, rinse and then air dry for 48 hours before cooking.

I also sometimes separate white and dark meat so that I don’t overcook them. I brine and roast the turkey breast in an oven cage and confit the legs. You will not have the ‘whole bird’ presentation for your table, but the result is just as delicious.

Most years, my family requests a deep-fried turkey. For this method, brine and then be sure to dry the bird out thoroughly. Deep fry it for 45 minutes to achieve that fried perfection on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside.

How ever you choose to prepare your Thanksgiving turkey, be sure to give yourself a little extra prep time to alleviant stress and remember to get out of the kitchen and enjoy the day with family and friends – glass in hand filled with your favorite St. Supery wine. Cheers!