Discover Our Team’s Favorite Thanksgiving Pairings!
Thanksgiving for many is a day filled with family and friends, flowing with laugher, stories, food, and for many, wine! This year, some of our dedicated EFESTĒ team are sharing their favorite Thanksgiving and holiday food and wine parings—everything from exciting appetizers, classic side dishes, and sweet treats that are sure to impress on any dinner table.
Helen “Yiayia” Ferrelli
Helen Ferrelli, known affectionately as “Yiayia”, is the matriarch of our EFESTĒ family. You can often find her in our Woodinville locations putting together spectacular floral arrangements, and in the kitchen, teaching staff her favorite family recipes.
For Yiayia, Thanksgiving is all about the stuffing: “[I] always have that favorite stuffing which includes homemade croutons, LOTS of onion and celery, an abundance of fresh parsley, sage and thyme, mushrooms, tons of butter, and best of all a heap of roasted sweet, nutty chestnuts!” Her ultimate Thanksgiving Day wine pairing is our Oldfield Estate Rosé: the floral, fruity, and crisp notes of the Rosé perfectly complement the nuttiness of her chestnut stuffing.
Angela
Angela is our fun-loving boss-lady and owner of EFESTĒ along with her parents, Daniel and Helen Ferrelli, and husband Kevin Taylor. When she’s not busy being the powerhouse behind the winery, Angela is hitting the tennis courts, and in true athlete fashion her go-to staple on the Thanksgiving table is a full and hearty harvest salad.
Her favorites include a refreshing Honeycrisp apple and feta salad, packed with juicy pomegranate seeds, candied nuts, crispy prosciutto, and tossed in a tangy apple cider vinaigrette. Her secret? “I always go with romaine—it holds up better than other lettuces!” The combination of sweet, savory, and crunchy is the perfect addition to any holiday table.
And when it comes to pairing, Angela’s all about the bubbles. Our Angie Blanc de Blancs is the ideal match for this crisp, vibrant salad, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pop that cork and celebrate all the things we’re thankful for!
Jeff
Jeff is our awesome (and hilariously entertaining) Director of Sales here at EFESTĒ. We truly wouldn’t be where we are today without his vast knowledge of the adult beverage industry—gained over decades as a retailer, distributor, category manager, and supplier.
When it comes to Thanksgiving, Jeff has a seriously delicious pairing in mind: beef borekas with our Lil Mama Cabernet. If you’ve never had a boreka, it’s a savory puff pastry filled with seasoned ground beef, onions, celery, and spices, all wrapped up in a triangle and baked to golden perfection with a sprinkling of sesame seeds.
As Jeff puts it, “Of course, I like mine on the bigger side with extra ground beef”, and really, we couldn’t agree more! Lil Mama Cabernet (only available at your local grocer) is a perfect match, with the bold, richness of the wine complementing the savory, spiced beef.
Leslie
Leslie, our Director of Finance and Operations, has been a cornerstone of the EFESTĒ family since 2010. Her expertise has been vital to our success over the past 14 years, and she’s also a cherished mentor to our entire team. When it comes to Thanksgiving, Leslie’s menu is 100% gluten-free, and one of her favorite pre-dinner bites is Filipino Lumpia.
Lumpia are crispy fried spring rolls found in Filipino and Indonesian cuisines, made with thin rice paper or a gluten-free flour blend, and filled with a savory mix of ground pork, carrots, cabbage, and green onions. Leslie likes to serve her Lumpia with a sweet chili dipping sauce.
To complement the flavors, Leslie pairs her Lumpia with Adrienne Chenin Blanc. The wine’s vibrant acidity and fruit-forward profile balance out the kick of the sweet chili, creating the perfect pairing to kick off your Thanksgiving celebration. Gluten-free or not, you’re going to want to try this one!
Corey
This Thanksgiving food and wine pairing comes from Corey, our dedicated Wine Club Concierge who has been an integral part of the EFESTĒ family for over a decade. Corey has helped shape our tasting room experience in both Woodinville and SoDo, and his passion for wine and hospitality has been a key part of our growth.
Corey’s favorite holiday dish is a cult classic: Ina Garten’s famous Lobster Mac & Cheese. The rich, creamy gruyère-based sauce combined with the buttery, melt-in-your-mouth lobster brings an element of elegance to the Thanksgiving table. For an extra flavor kick, Corey recommends adding a dash of smoked paprika, which pairs beautifully with the dish’s decadent flavors.
For the wine, Corey’s pick is our Knight Commander, a Northern Rhône-style Syrah with a touch of Viognier co-fermented to add depth and complexity. This full-bodied wine offers bold berry flavors and a touch of spice that complements the rich lobster mac & cheese perfectly. It’s a pairing that embodies elegance and indulgence.
Annie
Annie is the creative mastermind behind all the stunning graphics and videos we share across our platforms, and she’s also a customer favorite at our Woodinville tasting room. Her warm, welcoming spirit makes every guest feel like part of the EFESTĒ family.
Annie’s go-to holiday appetizer is Rumaki. Rumaki is a traditional Tiki appetizer consisting of water chestnuts and chicken liver wrapped in bacon and marinated in soy sauce, brown sugar, and ginger, then baked until hot and crispy.
For the perfect wine pairing, Annie suggests our Malbec. With its mouthwatering flavors of jammy fruits, sage, herbs, and a hint of baking spice, this wine beautifully complements the juicy, salty Umami flavors of Rumaki. It’s a pairing that takes this appetizer to the next level, and we’re sure it’ll become a holiday favorite!
Aimee
Aimee is one of our awesome tasting room staff members at our Woodinville location. She came to us this year with over 5 years of experience in the wine industry, and it sure shows! Her favorite Thanksgiving dish is a creamy carrot and sweet potato soup—the perfect companion to a grey and chilly fall night.
With onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, and vegetable broth, this hearty soup is perfect for all guests, whether vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free! Aimee suggests enjoying your soup with our Adrienne Chenin Blanc, which enhances the slight spice of the cinnamon, ginger, and turmeric that elevates this pairing from good to great!
Deb
This holiday pairing also marks the introduction of the newest member of our EFESTĒ family!
Deb’s journey in the wine industry spans 15 years, with much of her career spent as the Director of Operations at DeLille Cellars. Her extensive experience, deep understanding of the industry, and passion for the rich history and unique stories of Washington wine make us incredibly excited to have her join our team. Welcome, Deb!
For Deb, Thanksgiving is all about Minnesota Wild Rice. This earthy, flavorful dish—packed with mushrooms, carrots, and celery—pairs beautifully with any main protein, whether turkey, ham, chicken, or fish. To complement this hearty side, Deb recommends our Knight Commander, whose bold, full-bodied profile and earthy undertones align perfectly with the flavors of the Minnesota Wild Rice.
