The Best Dinner Party Wines in 2024

1. King Estate, 2018 Brut Cuvée | Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Price: $41.99
ABV: 12.5%

King Estate was founded in 1991 by the King family with a deep commitment to sustainable farming. Their uniquely integrated ecosystem of vineyard and woodland, grasslands and wetlands, orchards and culinary gardens located in Oregon’s prestigious Willamette Valley led them to first obtain certified organic status, followed by the biodynamic standard in 2016. Today, King Estate is the largest certified biodynamic vineyard in North America.

Fine effervescence creates an excellent mousse. Aromas of green apple, crushed minerals, lemon and flowers fill the nose. The palate reveals bruised apple, toast, fresh bread and lemon zest, all wrapped in bright and fresh acidity.

> For more information, visit King Estate official website.

2. Kenefick Ranch, 2023 Sauvignon Blanc | Napa Valley, California, USA

Origin: Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Varietal: Sauvignon Blanc
Price: $30.00
ABV: 14.2%

Kenefick Ranch is a family-owned vineyard located in Calistoga, CA. The vineyard was founded when Dr. Tom Kenefick, a practicing neurosurgeon in San Francisco, first visited – and fell in love with – the Napa Valley. In 1980, he purchased a 250-acre ranch located in the region’s northernmost American Viticultural Area (AVA) – Calistoga, where half the land is planted with grapevines. In 2002, Dr. Kenefick retired from neurosurgery and Kenefick Ranch began producing and selling its own portfolio of wines. Today, Kenefick Ranch sells its own label, and 90 percent of its grapes to such prestigious labels as Caymus Vineyards, Cade Estate Winery, Eisele Vineyard, and Nickel + Nickel.

This estate Sauvignon Blanc displays a light straw yellow color. The nose reveals Meyer lemon, lychee, and melon nuances. Grapefruit and tangerine zest show on the palate, mixed with mineral and juicy acidity.

> For more information, visit Kenefick Ranch official website.

READ MORE: The Best Sauvignon Blancs

3. Daou, Discovery Rosé 2022 | Paso Robles, California

Origin: Paso Robles, California, USA
Varietals: 100% Grenache
Price: $24.00
ABV: 14.1%

Brothers Georges and Daniel Daou set forth across the globe to find an unrivaled terroir for producing great wines, a quest that led them to a place of greatness: Daou Mountain in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles. Situated on a 212-acre hilltop estate, their remarkable geology, favorable microclimate, and 2,200 feet elevation were once described by renowned California winemaker André Tchelistcheff as a “jewel of ecological elements.”

This rosé displays a pale flamingo hue, a bouquet of strawberry, guava, crème brûlée and honeysuckle. The well-balanced palate shows flavors of ripe strawberry, papaya, nectarine and mandarin orange.

> For more information, visit Daou Vineyards official website.

READ MORE: Soul of A Lion, A Roaring Cabernet Sauvignon | DAOU Vineyards, Paso Robles

4. The Pale, Vin de Pays du Var Rosé 2023 | Provence, France

Origin: Provence, France
Varietals: mostly Grenache with Cinsault, Rolle and Syrah
Price: $16.99
ABV: 12.5%

Named after its transparent, pink color, The Pale by Sacha Lichine (creator of the iconic Provence rosé Whispering Angel) embodies all the characteristics of an authentic Rosé from Provence. The Pale’s design-forward label, inspired by early illustrations from The New Yorker and that period, evokes the vibrant design and intriguing glamour of the Roaring Twenties.

This rosé has an intriguing grey-light-orange color with light fruit notes, orange peel and flowers on the nose. The palate offers a sweet fruitiness, juicy acidity, a touch of minerality and a flowery finish.

> For more information, visit The Pale official website.

5. Raeburn Russian River Valley, 2021 Rosé | Sonoma, California, USA

Origin: Sonoma, California
Varietal: 61% Pinot Noir, 36% Zinfandel, 3% Grenache
Price: $16.99
ABV: 13.5%

Raeburn is inspired by founder Derek Benham’s mother, Phyllis, a lifelong lover of nature. She thrives in the outdoors and ultimately, her passions turned to a commitment to protect and conserve the wilderness she loves.  Her way of life is to leave a light footprint or none at all. Raeburn uses the same approach when crafting their wines by picking the best fruit from Sonoma County’s best vineyards. Raeburn borrows its name from an Old English term that means the river where one goes to drink. A fitting nod to those who prefer to slow down to observe, appreciate and flourish in nature’s surroundings.

The wine has a light pink color. The nose reveals red berries, white blossom and herbal notes. The palate boasts raspberry, watermelon, guava, some mineral notes and finishes with ethereal acidity.

> For more information, visit Raeburn official website.

READ MORE: The Best Rosé Wines To Drink

6. The Mill Keeper Multi Vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon | Napa Valley, California, USA

Origin: Napa Valley, California
Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon
Price: $26.00
ABV: 13%

The Tom Gamble family’s historic relationships with farmers allows The Mill Keeper to source fruit from generational vineyards and give second life to smaller, overlooked sites with the goal of preserving family-owned farms. In doing so, The Mill Keeper sources responsibly grown fruit to create high-quality, environmentally conscious wine at a value. Like the first settlers of Napa, The Mill Keeper strives to be a steward of the land and pledges to safeguard its health and surrounding ecosystems for future generations through strategic partnerships with sustainable agencies.

Today, The Mill Keeper is a proud sponsor of Napa’s State Historic Park, Bale Grist Mill, which served as part of the early inspiration for the brand. The mill was established in 1849 by Dr. Edwin Bale, an Englishman and chief military surgeon to General Vallejo. An untimely death left his widow, María Ignacia Soberanes Bale, to become the new mill keeper. She successfully operated the mill and became a pillar of the early Napa Valley community. Inspired by her legacy, The Mill Keeper Multi Vintage Cabernet Sauvignon label features artwork that commemorates the artisans who crafted some of the earliest wine in the Napa Valley.

The wine shows a bright crimson red color. The nose unfolds dark berries and plum which are repeated on the palate, with the addition of baking spice, some floral notes, all balanced with ripe, elegant tannins.

> For more information, visit The Mill Keeper official website.

7. Teperberg, Legacy Cabernet Franc, 2016

Varietals: 100% Cabernet Franc
Origin: Judean Hills, Israel
Suggested Retail Price: $70

The wine is matured in barrels for 18 months and in the bottle for 10 more months until a complete synergy of aroma and flavors is achieved. It has a red granite color, aromas of violets, boysenberries, and an attractive, pleasant hint of green typical of the variety, which is blended with the scent of subtle dark fruit wrapped in a soft wood fragrance with a hint of espresso. This wine is kosher.

> For more information, visit the Teperberg Winery official website.

8. J. Christopher, Volcanique, Dundee Hills 2019 | Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Origin: Willamette Valley, Oregon
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
Price: $39.99
ABV: 13.5%

Located in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the J. Christopher winery specializes in Pinot Noir made using the traditional methods of the Old World. Owned by renowned Mosel winegrower Ernst Loosen (of the Dr. Loosen estate), the wines emphasize focus, length and balance. This wine is made from grapes coming from five of the finest vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA: Baptista Maresh, La Colina, Bella Vida, Black Walnut Inn and Kolbe.

The wine shows a lighter ruby red color with complex aromas of raspberry, black tea, volcanic earth, some floral notes and baking spices. The palate has good concentration with lots of red fruits, Asian spices and polished tannins.

> For more information, visit J. Christopher official website.

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