A Guide to Hosting
Winter
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Winter
Thoughtful ideas to make every gathering feel unforgettable.
Set the Tone with Intention
Create a warm, inviting atmosphere with softly glowing candles, natural greenery, and layered linens. Understated details lend the occasion an effortless sense of elegance.
Serve Wine at Its Best
Our recommendation is to chill white wines for 2–3 hours before serving. For reds, serve slightly below room temperature (60–65°F). Decant young, structured reds for 30–60 minutes to reveal their complexity.
Offer a Welcome Pour
Welcome guests with a glass as they arrive. It encourages conversation and lets everyone settle into the moment before the meal begins.
Pace the Evening
The most memorable gatherings unfold naturally. Leave time between courses, encourage guests to linger, and allow each wine to be enjoyed without rushing to the next.
Keep the Night Going
As dinner comes to a close, linger over another pour. Move the gathering outdoors around a fire when the evening permits, or gather somewhere cozy for dessert and conversation.
Here's what's in season for winter
Blood oranges, Navel oranges, Meyer lemons, grapefruit, pomelos, apples, quince, pomegranates, persimmons, and cranberries.
Carrots, parsnips, beets, turnips, rutabagas, radishes, celery root, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, butternut, acorn, delicata, and kabocha squash; leeks, celery, Swiss chard, radicchio, endive, and escarole.
Perfect for winter dishes: Black cod (sablefish), Pacific halibut, petrale sole, Pacific rockfish, Salmon, and Dungeness crab.
Short ribs, beef tenderloin, pork roast, pork loin, lamb chops, and roast duck.
Aged Cheddar, brie, Comté, triple-Crème Cheese, aged Gouda, Stilton or another bleu cheese, and aged Manchego.
Rosemary, sage, thyme, flat-leaf parsley, bay leaf, chives, oregano, and fennel.