Thanksgiving is arriving soon and we are here for it. As much as we love the food, we are
equally grateful for this season of travel, gathering with friends and creating new memories.
Wherever your plans take you, we have suggestions on the best wine to pair, both with holiday
foods and some favorite holiday activities.

The end of a long travel day: The Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest travel periods of
the year. If you are planning to roam, end the travel day by raising a glass of our Gold Rush Red.
Thanksgiving pairing: Cream or cheese-based side dishes, or butternut squash risotto with crispy
prosciutto.

A Holiday Hike: It’s a good idea to get outside for some exercise and fresh air before the food
starts rolling out. We recommend grabbing your favorite sibling (cousin, friend or parent) and
taking a mid-morning hike. If you plan to find yourself somewhere picturesque and perfect for a
toast, bring a bottle of American Barrel Aged Chardonnay for the occasion. Thanksgiving
pairing: vegetables off the grill, cheeses, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes.

The Game: Football pairs as well with Thanksgiving as turkey does. If you plan to spend a few
hours catching the game, you are going to need a wine as exciting as all the action – enter
Zinfandel Batch 86. The racy flavors and unique bourbon barrel notes will match the energy in
the room. Thanksgiving pairing: turkey, stuffing, just about anything smoked or fried.

Fireside Hang: It’s the end of the night, the dishes are done and it’s finally time to catch up by
the fire. What’s in your glass? We suggest Prospector’s Proof Cabernet Sauvignon. This
bourbon-barrel aged Cab is a great sipper at the end of the day. Or, if you are a cocktail fan, try
The Farmer Mary or a red wine and spice cocktail. Thanksgiving pairing: bold gravy, beef or
lamb (for those who don’t do turkey), stew.

The Unexpected: Be ready to say yes to a last-minute dinner or party invite, a visit from
someone you can’t wait to catch up with, or a meal that is begging for a great wine. Keep a
bottle of American barrel-aged Pinot Noir handy for these moments – then make them happen!
Thanksgiving pairing: turkey, mushroom casserole, bacon-wrapped asparagus.

May your holidays be bold and bright, and may new traditions be made this year.

Each batch of 1000 Stories goes on a journey guided by our winemaker, Sebastian Donoso, to become the bold wine you will eventually enjoy. An important part of that journey, and the winemaking process, is deciding what the barrel ageing process will be for each wine.

Wine barrels are used to impart distinct notes into the wine – some soft, some bold. Different aromas and flavors are added depending on the type of barrel used. Here at 1000 Stories, we use Bourbon barrels, American oak and French oak, depending on the flavors our winemaker wants to add. Use the simple information below to learn more about the different barrels and how they are used to make 1000 Stories wines.

Used Bourbon Barrels:

Barrels: Historically, American oak barrels were always made for Bourbon and Whiskey. The barrels we use are 4-10 years old and have been soaked in Bourbon, with the inside of the barrels blackened or charred to bring out the intensity of the flavors.

Notes: Bourbon barrels impart notes of dried herbs, burnt sugar, caramel, coffee, and vanilla

American Oak:

Barrels: Our American Oak barrels come from Minnesota and have been seasoned outdoors for a minimum of 24 months. Our oak barrels have a medium toast.

Notes: Notes of vanilla, coconut oil, marshmallow and creaminess as well as low levels of tannins, a good match for light-style wines such as our 2020 Pinot Noir.

French Oak:

Barrels: Sourced primarily from France, French oak has a lighter grain and takes longer to impart flavors to the wine. It is widely used in California wines.

Notes: French oak typically imparts darker notes like coffee, mushroom, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, and leather.

Whether you’ve planned a camping trip well in advance, or the great outdoors is just calling your name on a fine morning—whenever the opportunity strikes to adventure, be ready to hit the road with the essentials.

For a day trip or an overnight, these are our recommended must-haves when heading out on a hike or camping trip:

• Food & water: Bring more water than you think you need, and protein rich snacks that have a good shelf life.
• Sun protection: Sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen are vital.
• First aid: A good first aid kit that includes foot care and insect repellent.
• Navigation: A compass or GPS so you can find your way to safety.
• Light: A good headlamp or lantern with extra batteries. 
• Fire: Matches, a lighter, and some dry tinder.
• Hiking Boots: Well-fitting waterproof and breathable footwear is key.
• Multi-tool: A sturdy multi-tool that includes a corkscrew.

A few bottles of 1000 Stories wines. Nothing compliments a campfire like our bold, delicious wines.

May 25th is National Wine Day. We love celebrating wine each and every day, but we thought we’d take this opportunity to share some tasting notes about our bourbon barrel-aged wines.

Our Zinfandel has a plush mouth feel with red berry and raspberry flavors that come through uniquely with each batch.

Our barrel aging process gives our Cabernet Sauvignon hints of burnt sugar, vanilla, dried herbs, and even a touch of smokiness.

Speaking of barrel-aging, we also age our wine in bourbon barrels to weave a warm thread of vanilla, crème brûlée and wood spice in our Chardonnay, culminating in a memorable butterscotch finish.

Here’s something interesting: Did you know the size of the glass’ bowl controls the amount of air reaching the wine surface which impacts the taste and aroma? Open your favorite bottle of 1000 Stories and try it in different shaped glasses this National Wine Day to note the subtle differences.

Dying Easter eggs in bold colors is a fun annual tradition that can’t be missed. It’s a great activity to do with your friends or family, and is an exciting way to get the creative juices flowing.

This Easter get your wine and dye on! Color your eggs (we recommend coloring them deep wine red) while enjoying the rich, bold flavors of our bourbon barrel-aged wine. With great color and unforgettable flavors it will be a fantastic companion to the festivities.

When creating art, you can find inspiration anywhere. The beauty in a sunset, the simplicity of a landscape, or in the rich, bold flavors of our bourbon barrel-aged wine.

For your next artistic activity, we recommend doing some watercoloring. Watercolor paintings can be one of the most relaxing and artistically rewarding activities you can do. Painting things like flowers, food, trees, or even a self-portrait can be a fun way to spend a cozy night indoors this winter. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner, or a seasoned expert, expressing yourself is a great way to spend your time.

So pick up some watercolor paper and brushes and let your creativity shine. And while you’re doing it, grab our bourbon barrel-aged Zinfandel. Uncork the bottle and let the art inspire you as you find your muse.

Summer is the perfect time to take a step back from the digital world, and head out into the outdoors. You can lose yourself by listening to the whisper of the trees, or have your breath taken away by a gorgeous view. However you decide to unwind, make your outdoor adventure even better by bringing 1000 Stories Gold Rush Red with you, as there’s nothing better than a little wine in the pines.

Aged in traditional French and American Oak, with a portion finished in charred bourbon barrels, this red blend has a rich, bold flavor with heady notes of spice box and char. All of which makes it the perfect wine to match your adventurous and curious spirit this summer.

It was true what they said when they sang that summer lovin’ happens so fast. As we take in these longer days, we hope you soak up the extended sunsets with a glass of 1000 Stories. Our Bourbon barrel-aged wines are the perfect accompaniment for any outdoor “cheers”.

SOME TIPS FOR SUMMER SIPPING

• Host a two-person dinner party with a menu that speaks to the season. The warmer months are perfect for things like charcuterie spreads, chicken and veggie skewers to throw on the barbecue, and refreshing salads (hint: go for summer favorites like watermelon, basil, and tomatoes).

• To please both red and white wine drinkers and to complement the flavors of your meal, pair your summer feast with our 1000 Stories Bourbon barrel-aged Cabernet or Chardonnay.

• Take your date al fresco, and enjoy your meal in your favorite outdoor spot under the trees with a picnic blanket. Opt for a good playlist you can bring along with plenty of tunes to inspire conversation.

Do you have any summer picnics planned? Tag us with #1000stories to show us how you’re celebrating the longer days—and evenings—of summer with your bottle of 1000 Stories wine.