November 21, 2025
Cayuga Lake Thanksgiving Pairing & Shopping Guide
Your curated list of must-grab wines for the holiday table — all from the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
Thanksgiving calls for great food, good company, and the perfect Finger Lakes wines to bring it all together. Whether you’re hosting, bringing a dish, or stocking up on crowd-pleasing bottles, this guide highlights the best holiday picks from each member winery — chosen to complement classic Thanksgiving dishes and make your table shine.
⭐ Quick Guide (For Fast Shoppers)
If you're short on time, skip to the bottom for a winery-by-winery shopping list, links included.
🦃 THE THANKSGIVING PAIRINGS
Turkey (Roasted, Fried, or Smoked)
Top Picks:
- Lucas Vineyards – 2025 Dry Riesling (Gold Medal Winner)
Perfectly crisp and citrusy — the ultimate turkey wine. - Swedish Hill – Blue Waters Gewürztraminer
Aromatic and spice-driven, amazing with herbs and roasted skin. - Thirsty Owl – Pinot Gris
Clean, bright, and endlessly food-friendly.
Bonus:
- Six Eighty Cellars – 2024 Chenin Blanc
A refreshing white with texture — great with smoked or fried turkey.
Dark Meat Lovers (Smoky, Herb-Heavy, or Brined Turkey)
Best Pairings:
- Americana Vineyards – Lemberger
Juicy, peppery, and remarkably turkey-friendly. - Hosmer Winery – Lemberger
More structured and savory — perfect for smoky legs and thighs. - Thirsty Owl – Pinot Noir
Light, elegant, ideal for both white and dark meat.
Bonus Reds:
- Buttonwood Grove – Blaufränkisch
- Buttonwood Grove – The Farm Red
Classic Thanksgiving Sides
Mashed Potatoes + Gravy
- Six Mile Creek – Reserve Chardonnay
Creamy + buttery = perfection.
Stuffing (Herb or Sausage)
- Buttonwood Grove – Cayuga White
Built-in herb notes that echo your sage + thyme. - Cayuga Ridge – Gewürztraminer
Aromatic and savory — stuffing’s best friend.
Sweet Potatoes
- Knapp Winery – Siegerrebe
Floral and lightly sweet — perfect for sweet potato dishes. - Americana – Rubies Bubbling Blush
A festive, gently sweet sparkler.
Green Bean Casserole
- Six Eighty Cellars – 2024 Gamay Noir
Bright acidity cuts through creamy mushroom sauce. - Swedish Hill – 2013 Pinot Noir Reserve
Savory, smooth, and made for umami.
Cranberry Sauce
- Montezuma – Cranberry Bog
The cranberry pairing. - Cayuga Ridge – Cranberry Essence
Softer, delicate cranberry character.
Corn Dishes
- Thirsty Owl – Pinot Gris
Enhances sweet corn flavors. - Six Mile Creek – Avery’s Spumante
Bubbly + corn = unexpectedly amazing.
Mac & Cheese
- Hosmer – Grüner Veltliner
Peppery and crisp — slices through richness. - Six Eighty – Chenin Blanc
Bright and textured, perfect for creamy pasta.
