5 Sustainable Hosting Tips for Fall + Suggested Wine Pairings

Friends, food, and organically farmed wine. This combination just makes sense. We love hosting dinner parties and events, but we don’t always love the waste that they can create. From party prep to final toasts, we’ve found that with some extra effort and conscious choices a sustainable evening is possible without sacrifice. Here are some tips to give your next dinner party, Thanksgiving/holiday gathering, or event a sustainable refresh. 

1. Skip Single-Use Paper and Plastic: When possible, opt for cloth napkins, reusable dishes, cutlery and glasses. Not only will this switch reduce significant waste, but it can also instantly elevate your gathering and tablescape. 
   
2. Choose Local Ingredients: Every great meal starts with great ingredients. Avoid non-seasonal produce and ingredients that are shipped to your location from afar to minimize the carbon footprint of your gathering. Pay your local farmer’s market a visit to find the best organic produce native to your area.
   
3. Serve Environmentally Conscious Sips: Curate your drink menu with an offering that aligns with your values. Offering certified carbon neutral and organically farmed wine and organic and fair trade tea or coffee will provide guests with high quality and ethical choices to enjoy. Shop our carbon neutral and organically farmed wine and always have a bottle of wine on hand.
   
4. Plan for leftovers: Leftovers are often inevitable when planning an event. Reduce food waste by sending guests home with leftovers in compostable food containers or refrigerate or freeze leftover items in airtight and reusable containers to enjoy post event. 
   
5. Waste Management: Make it easy for your guests to dispose of any waste properly with bins for recycling, composting and trash so that every time makes it to the right destination to further reduce waste. 

A good dinner party has to have good food, and pairing good food with good wine is a no-brainer. Check out our pairing suggestions below:

1. Pair Appetizers with Organically Farmed Sauvignon Blanc: Start off with a light appetizer like organic bruschetta with fresh tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of olive oil. Add a charcuterie board (also called a grazing board) for a standard crowd-pleasing touch. Get inspired to create a unique Fall Grazing Board. Pair with a crisp, Sauvignon Blanc made with organic grapes. The wine’s acidity and green notes will complement the freshness and lighter flavors of appetizers.
2. Soup Course & Rosé: Serve a vegetable-based soup, such as a creamy roasted beet soup, paired with a vibrant Organically Farmed Rosé. The earthy sweetness of the beets will pair nicely with the fruity, yet dry characteristics of our organically farmed wine. Our Rosé recently won a double gold medal and received a 91 point tasting score at the California State Fair!
3. Salad Course & Chardonnay: A fresh, seasonal salad with a light vinaigrette pairs well with our fuller-bodied, Estate Chardonnay. The wine’s creamy notes will balance the salad’s acidity. If Chardonnay or white wine is not your cup of tea, try pairing with a lighter bodied red, like our Pinot Noir or Merlot. 
4. Pair Your Main Course with Organically Farmed Red Wine: For the main course, consider a hearty mushroom risotto or a locally sourced roast chicken dish. Pair this with a bold, organically farmed Red Blend like our Equinox Red Blend or our 95 Point Single Vineyard Red Blend ‘The Butler’. The earthy flavors in the food will highlight the dark fruit and spice notes in these darker red wines.
5. Cheese & Dessert Course: End the meal with a selection of organic, locally-sourced cheeses and a light dessert. Pair this course with a robust Cabernet Sauvignon to contrast the creaminess of the cheese. 
6. Coffee & Digestifs: Offer organic, fair-trade coffee and a selection of digestifs to end the evening.

Remember, the key to any dinner party is to plan ahead. By choosing to serve local and organic produce and pairing your meals with organically farmed wine, you can minimize the carbon footprint of your event. We hope these tips and tricks help to inspire you to include eco-friendly touches to your next dinner party or event.