Bending Branch staff favorites for the holidays

Kelsey Morrison, Wine Club Assistant

It will come as no surprise to many, what will, without a doubt, be joining my Thanksgiving table this year. Both the 2020 Tallent Tannat, along with the 2020 Alicante Bouschet, will be the shining stars at my table and around my home all holiday season, just as they were at this year’s San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Wine Competition, taking Double Gold & Tallent Tannat also claiming Top of Class,

Not to be forgotten, I’ll be well stocked with plenty of ChickenDuck Wheated Bourbon. It’s the perfect nightcap for those upcoming evenings with family and friends.

Tom Kartrude, Tasting Room Associate

We’ll be going for the gold with two favorites. The amazing 2020 Alicante Bouschet will accompany a crispy roast duckling with pepper jelly glaze for Christmas dinner. It will probably require a ChickenDuck Wheated Old Fashioned to endure the two-hour roasting time. And of course, Christmas morning always starts with a Blanc de Blancs toast.

Barbara Taylor, Tasting Room Associate

We will have Double Barrel Tannat open for the entire day. And the next day, too!

Greg Stokes, Ursa Winemaker

I’m going to go for the Sparkling Holiday 3-pack. Nothing says celebrate like bubbles for Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year! Woohoo! And maybe a bottle of Ursa Pinot Noir on Thanksgiving Day. It’s the perfect turkey wine.

Lauren Elizondo, Marketing Assistant

I’ll be enjoying the 2023 D’Elissagaray Ardo Zuria while my family preps Christmas dinner. Its crisp acidity pairs beautifully with the salty richness of cured meats and creamy cheeses that will be in the charcuterie board we will snack on before dinner.

Deborah Elissagaray, Ursa Winemaker

This year will find Greg, my sister Karen and myself doing most of the prep, so I foresee us "pregaming" in the kitchen with a chilled bottle of D'Elissagaray Ardo Zuria. The bright palate and slight spritz just makes me happy.

Amy Wagner, Lab Technician

I will definitely be having the 2020 Charbono with my Thanksgiving dinner. I plan to have it with my garlic rosemary beef tenderloin.

I will be enjoying the 2023 Estate Picpoul Blanc to start my Christmas cooking. This wine is crisp and refreshing and will be a great partner in the kitchen as I prep my meal.

For Christmas this year, we are going to do a Mexican theme with tamales and enchiladas. I will be serving the 2019 Newsom Tempranillo alongside the 2020 Tallent Tannat! Both of these wines will complement the meal and the various palates around the table.

Tiffany Simmons, Senior Executive Assistant

I am loving the 2021 Ursa Pinot Noir so that will be at the table this year. I also think the 2023 High Plains Picpoul Blanc would be great for a holiday lunch. And, we love an old fashioned made with 1840 High Rye for a night cap!

Judy Sullivan, Hospitality Manager

My pick this year is one of the bourbons: ChickenDuck Wheated. It is smooth and a tad bit sweet. Pair it with our “Swiss Chocolate Shop” caramel milk chocolate bar … delicious.

Kim McCallum, Tasting Room Associate

I’m actually choosing two wines this year. We’ll sip on the Blanc de Blancs while enjoying the holiday meal prep, and then for dinner the 2020 Tallent Malbec is my choice to pair with our Beef Wellington, garlic mashed potatoes, and green bean almondine. Cheers to you and yours this holiday season!

Erin Shields, Events Coordinator

My pick for this year is a bottle of ChickenDuck Wheated Bourbon. I will start the day with a delicious Clucky Mary, Bending Branch’s version of a Bloody Mary cocktail. Then use that Bourbon for a spiked version of cranberry sauce with the traditional flavors of an old fashioned. Cranberries (fresh or frozen), frozen cherries, sugar, salt, orange juice, orange zest, ChickenDuck Wheated bourbon, and Angostura bitters. Enjoy!

Terri Reusch, Tasting Room Associate

I will definitely be opening the 2021 Mourvèdre, Tallent Vineyards and 2020 Alicante Bouschet, Newsom Vineyards for family and friends this Thanksgiving and Christmas season! I am sure a bottle of my favorite, the 2017 Tannat from Newsom Vineyards, will be opened for the holidays as well.

We also plan to explore holiday cocktail-making using ChickenDuck High Rye and Bending Branch 1840 High Rye. Cheers and Happy Holidays!

Michele Smith, Tasting Room Associate

My holiday picks this year are the Bending Branch 2021 Tallent Mourvèdre and the Ursa 2020 Alicante Bouschet.

Sara Potter, Marketing Manager

It’s always hard to pick a favorite wine when you work at Bending Branch. Current faves include Alicante Bouschet and Petit Verdot, both from Newsom Vineyards. I will also be making some High Rye ‘Ritas from ChickenDuck High Rye!

Jennifer Cernosek, General Manager

I’m liking the 2020 Alicante Bouschet, Newsom Vineyards. This striking wine is rich with notes of black fruit, leather, and pipe tobacco, and it pairs especially well with smoked meats.

Deborah Shaw, Tasting Room Associate

I love the new Bending Branch Alicante Bouschet, so I will be trying it this holiday season with special gumbo recipe!

Tammy Thrun, Tasting Room Associate

An Old Fashioned with the sweetness ChickenDuck Wheated provides is the perfect balance of flavors with half the simple syrup! A must!!

Of course, my favorite is The Traveler. This well-balanced 14yr old bourbon bursts with flavor!! It also tastes great paired with our orange creamsicle chocolate bars.

For wine I will pick the 2021 Mourvèdre Tallent. If Texas could do a Pinot Noir, this would be it! This new release introduces flavors and aromatic scents to please the most scholarly or first-time wine drinker. Double Barrel Tannat is my ultimate fave- perfectly paired with medium rare steak with blue cheese topping...and let it rest before you enjoy.

Julianne Bartell, Tasting Room Associate

A favorite of mine for the holidays is the Bending Branch Tannat Frizzante! We will have it as a mimosa with a couple of frozen cranberries. Cheers!

Stephenie Cantu, Tasting Room Associate

My go-to everyday wine is our Mourvèdre or Petit Verdot, so naturally Lucy's Reserve is a favorite for the holidays! We do seafood Christmas Eve dinner, which pairs nicely with our Tannat Rosé. As a nightcap, ChickenDuck Wheated for me for a celebration Old Fashioned that we made it through the day!

Susie Boswell, Wine Club Manager

Charbono is always my go-to during the holidays. High Rye ‘Ritas made with ChickenDuck High Rye are also a must!

Julie McLeod, Tasting Room Associate

I have four actually that I enjoy so much. I’ve been holding on to two special favorites that I can’t wait to open and share with my family which is-  the 2020 Double Barrel Tannat from the Sierra Foothills and the 2020 Tannat from from our very own Texas hill country.

2020 Alicante Bouchet is something I’ve never experienced and it’s one of my new all-time favorites. And of course, I must have Frizzante and Picpoul no matter what year, it’s so well done that it should be a staple in every home for any occasion.

Jackie Swan, Tasting Room Associate

I’m excited to share the 2020 Alicante Bouschet from Newson Vineyard and 2020 Tannat from Tallent Vineyard with my family. I always enjoy having them taste the Double Gold Winners from the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. I love to do a wine tasting with them when everyone is together.

Kyle Stokes, Ursa Assistant Winemaker

For me, it is the newly released Ursa Malbec from Silvaspoons Vineyards. It pairs great with a second glass of itself!