Dundee Hills Sommelier Series: Thanksgiving Pairings
Dusky Goose wine educator Eric Shivey brings a unique blend of art and precision to wine pairings, shaped by a career that bridges IT and the culinary world. His journey from tech to tasting room has honed a distinct approach: he combines a fascination with technical detail and a chef’s instinct for flavor, crafting food pairings that go beyond convention.
For Shivey, pairing is an act of exploration. A trip to Spain’s wine regions inspired him to pursue his WSET-III (Wine & Spirit Education Trust) certification, which led him to Dusky Goose in the Dundee Hills. He’s now thrilled to share its renowned wines with enthusiasts from across the globe.
“Our boutique size allows me to get involved with many facets of the industry,” Shivey says. “Most days, you’ll find me hosting guests in our tasting room, but I also get to spend time working in the vineyard, in the cellar, on the bottling line, and representing Dusky Goose at offsite events.”
This Thanksgiving, we hope his pairing recommendations help you connect with the season’s flavors as you craft a meal and create lasting memories in the kitchen and around the table with those you love.
Wine & Food Pairing Philosophy
Eric understands that choosing the right wine to match a carefully crafted meal can feel like an overwhelming amount of pressure. His approach is to keep it lighthearted and fun, encouraging people to explore beyond traditional guidelines. While certain pairings are classics, he believes some of the best experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone and trusting your instincts. For Eric, the beauty of wine lies in its endless complexity—the more you discover, the more there is to learn.
Course 1 – Cranberry Chèvre Canapé
Featuring tart cranberries, orange zest, creamy chèvre, and baking spices
RECIPE- Cranberry Chèvre Canapé
An elegant spin on a Thanksgiving staple that combines tart, creamy, and savory components in a refreshing appetizer.
Wine characteristics – A young, medium-bodied red wine with loads of primary fruit and baking spice flavors balanced by sharp acidity. The acidity will allow the wine to stand up the tartness of the cranberry sauce, while the baking spice notes complement the warm, savory flavors.
- 2021 Dusky Goose Dundee Hills Pinot Noir: Intense flavors of nutmeg, allspice, cardamom, and crunchy red fruits all combine to enhance the tart, savory profile of the canapés.
- De Ponte Cellars 2017 Estate Pinot Noir: Showing the elevated acidity and earthiness typical of the 2017 vintage, this wine leads with red berries and toasted cedar flavors followed by a spicy bite that matches the intensity elements of the dish.
Course 2 – Homemade Stuffing + Roast Turkey
Featuring savory bread, rich butter, and fresh herbs to accompany a traditionally roasted Thanksgiving turkey.
This scratch-made stuffing is packed with intense flavors and dense textures. The key for this pairing is to balance the rich, autumnal flavors with a crisp wine bold enough to meet the savory flavors at the summit.
Wine characteristics – A barrel-aged white wine with elevated acidity, medium body, refreshing minerality, and crisp citrus notes. Barrel aging exposes the wine to oxygen, which helps develop textural complexity on the palate.
- Dusky Goose 2021 Chardonnay: Complex, round from the barrel aging (9 mos in 27% new French oak), and bright acidity, this lively wine is driven by a mineral intensity, stone fruit flavors, and a hint of brown butter that brings the full profile into sharp focus.
- Archery Summit 2021 Summit Vineyard Chardonnay: The creamy texture and medium-intense flavors of ‘2021 Summit’ complement the dish’s density, while the lime citrus notes enhance the perceived acidity and offset the richness.
Course 3 – Pecan Pie
Featuring toasted nuts, savory spices, and a rich texture
Pairing dry wines with slightly sweet foods can be tricky, but if you get it right, the results can really sing! Choose a nuanced red wine with layers of flavor to match the richness of the pie.
Wine characteristics – A medium-bodied, aged red wine featuring a complex flavor profile that can only evolve over an extended period of time in the bottle. Developing fruit flavors and lifting acidity in the wine play against the decadent texture of the pie to create a sublime pairing experience.
- Dusky Goose 2014 Dundee Hills Pinot Noir: A warm vintage and 10 years of gentle aging have produced an extremely nuanced wine with the right amount of fruit development and acidity to partner with the pecan pie.
- Résonance 2017 Découverte Pinot Noir: Produced from a single vineyard planted in 1996, this opulent wine oozes with spicy berry and dried fig flavors, propped up by vanilla and cedar notes from the French oak barrel aging.
