How to Host a Fall Wine Dinner at Home: Menu, Recipes, and Wine Pairings
There’s nothing better than a cozy fall dinner party — especially one with thoughtful wine pairings and seasonal dishes that bring everyone together. Whether you’re hosting friends for a special night in or looking for inspiration for Thanksgiving, this guide has everything you need to host a fall wine dinner at home: the perfect bottles, the full menu, and a few sommelier-approved hosting tips.
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How to Host a Fall Wine Dinner at Home: Menu, Recipes, and Wine Pairings
I recently hosted my friends for a fall dinner party, complete with multiple courses and wine pairings. And while I shared snippets from the evening on Instagram, this post gets into the details — including the exact recipes, why each wine pairing worked, and some tips to help you recreate the night.
When Wine.com reached out about a collaboration, I was so excited. I use their site for my personal wine shopping, private tastings, and monthly virtual wine events. They have an incredible selection of wines from around the world, and their Stewardship Program makes it easy (and affordable) to get bottles shipped straight to your door.
(By the way, specific post isn’t sponsored — I just genuinely love their selection and was thrilled to create something special for you!)
I curated a limited-edition 3-pack of wines that’s perfect for fall — whether you’re looking for a unique gift, hosting a wine night at home, or prepping for Thanksgiving. From bubbles to kick off the night to cozy, crowd-pleasing still wines that complement seasonal flavors, these bottles punch way above their prices and are guaranteed to impress your guests.
You can purchase this exact wine pack on Wine.com now for a limited time only. Use code LEXI for free shipping on orders of $99+.
Note: This post contains some affiliate links that if clicked on and used to purchase something may pay me a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
Some hosting supplies you might need:
Dinner party Menu: autumnal Wine Dinner Courses & Pairings
Here’s everything I made for my fall wine dinner party — complete with pairing notes, recipes, and a few pro tips to make hosting easy and fun.
Course #1: Sparkling Wine + Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Tartlets
Wine: Albert Boxler Crémant d’Alsace Brut (France)
Dish: Caramelized Onion & Mushroom Tartlets
Start your evening with a French sparkling wine that rivals champagne in quality: Albert Boxler Crémant d’Alsace Brut. It’s dry, fresh, and perfectly balanced, with notes of citrus, green fruit, toasted brioche, and crisp minerality. Think of it as a high-quality Champagne without the hefty price tag — ideal for toasting or serving alongside fall appetizers.
Crémant is a sparkling wine made in the same way as Champagne, but from regions outside of Champagne. Alsace, where this one comes from, is a tiny, storybook region in northeastern France known for its crisp, mineral-driven whites and plenty of sunshine.
🍾 Pairing highlight: The wine’s acidity and fine bubbles cut through the buttery, cheesy richness of the tartlets, making it the perfect palate cleanser to kick off your meal. It’s also delicious on its own when served as an aperitif, or alongside cheese and charcuterie.
💡 Pro tip: Make the tartlet filling a day before your event so you only have to assemble and bake them just before guests arrive.
Course #2: Chardonnay + Butternut Squash Soup with Crispy Sage
Wine: Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay (California)
Dish: Butternut Squash Soup topped with Crispy Sage
Next up: a little taste of my home wine region. Sandhi Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay is one of my favorite expressions of California Chardonnay — bright, balanced, and elegant, with notes of green apple, citrus, and a silky texture that makes it ideal for pairing.
Sta. Rita Hills, located in Santa Barbara County, is one of California’s coolest-climate appellations. Its sandy soils and ocean influence create wines with incredible freshness and finesse. This Chardonnay has the perfect balance of texture and acidity to pair with creamy fall dishes. And even my friends, who don’t typically like Chardonnay, loved this iwne.
🥂 Pairing highlight: The wine’s acidity cuts through the creaminess of the soup, while its body and silkiness complement the roasted squash and sage.
💡 Pro tip: Make the soup a day ahead and reheat on the stove. Fry the sage leaves in butter just before serving for the perfect touch.
Course #3: Chianti Classico + Braised Short Ribs with Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Wine: Tenuta di Capraia Chianti Classico Effe 55 Gran Selezione (Italy)
Dish: Braised Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes
To close out the evening, I couldn’t resist an Italian classic. Tenuta di Capraia Chianti Classico Effe 55 Gran Selezione is autumn in a glass — red berries, sultry baking spices, and velvety tannins that feel like a warm hug. It’s a crowd-pleasing red that pairs perfectly with comforting dishes like braised short ribs and mashed potatoes.
Chianti Classico, crafted mostly from Sangiovese, is one of Italy’s most historic and beloved regions. The wines are bold yet balanced, with bright acidity and earthy depth — exactly what you want on a crisp fall evening.
🍷 Pairing highlight: The tannins in the glass soften beautifully with the richness of the short ribs, while the wine’s acidity refreshes your palate between bites.
💡 Pro tip: You can braise the short ribs the day before and reheat in the oven for about an hour before serving. For the mashed potatoes, peel and soak them in water overnight, then boil and mash fresh before plating.
Watch the video
I hope this inspires you to gather your friends this season for a cozy wine night in. Whether it’s a casual dinner party or a full-on fall feast, these wines and recipes are sure to impress. And don’t forget to grab my limited-edition Fall Wine Dinner Set from wine.com while it’s still available!
If you give any of these pairings a try, leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram — I’d love to see your spin on it!
Originally shared with my Substack community on October 22, 2025. Updated for blog publication.
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