Flora Springs Winery: Holiday Wine Release

‘Tis the season for festive wine releases like Flora Springs Winery’s 2016 Gingerbread Estate Holiday Red Blend. This is a classic blend of Bordeaux varietals crafted from grapes grown in  their estate Rutherford and Oakville vineyards. It’s a seasonal, wine club members only release that comes in a beautifully etched bottle with a colorful Christmas design. The story behind this year's bottle comes from a family holiday tradition, in which Nat Komes—General Manager of this family-owned and operated estate—decorated gingerbread houses with his brother and grandmother Flora.

While the outside of the bottle is fun and festive, what’s inside is much more serious—with the quality and exceptional flavor that wine lovers expect from a top-tier Napa Valley wine. This distinct Bordeaux blend spends an impressive 19 months in a mix of 88% French and 12% American oak barrels. It’s got the strength and complexity to withstand a decade in bottle, but the approachability and smoothness to be enjoyed this holiday season on your dinner table and beyond.

It boasts aromas of ripe blackberry, cherry kirsch, cola and holiday baking spices. Its strikes an impressive balance on the palate with its firm but approachable tannins, silky and full mouthfeel, and complexity of flavors. Fresh-baked cherry pie, black currant, warm baking spices and a hint of sweet vanilla grace the luscious palate.

This exclusive wine comes as an annual release, special for wine club members, and is etched and hand-painted. While the design changes each year, the quality inside never wavers, and wine club members look forward to receiving this one-of-a-kind offering each year. Made in a versatile and food-friendly fashion, it pairs well with holiday meals like honey-roasted ham, buttered turkey, rib roasts and more!