Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Pairings and Review

Nothing complements a holiday meal like a well-chosen bottle of wine. When Kuhlman Cellars offered their Thanksgiving trio for review, I was excited to taste three Texas wines crafted for the season. Below is my Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Review, based on a tasting with family and friends and my own impressions of each bottle.

Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Review

Kuhlman Cellars sent the Thanksgiving bundle, which includes a 2018 Hensell rosé, a 2018 Estate White, and a 2016 Alluvé red blend. I tasted these with my daughter and a friend while sharing a simple pre-Thanksgiving snack board — an ideal way to evaluate how each wine pairs with appetizers and holiday foods.

Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Trio of Texas Wines

Having adult children around makes tastings more fun: their honest reactions helped shape my notes. Below are the tasting impressions and pairing suggestions for each wine in the Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving bundle.

Cheers with Kuhlman Cellars White Estate Wine in glasses

Kuhlman Cellars Hensell Rosé

We began with the 2018 Hensell rosé. Rosé is not always my first choice — I often find some examples too sweet or with a sharp finish — but this bottle was a pleasant surprise. The aroma offered red berry notes and a floral lift, while the palate struck a nice balance between gentle sweetness and moderate acidity.

Kuhlman Cellars rose hensell wine with white and red bottles_Kitchen Gone Rogue

All three tasters enjoyed this rosé: it smelled inviting and tasted clean, with a smooth finish that avoided excessive tartness. It paired nicely with the crackers, dips, and small bites on our board, making it a versatile option for Friendsgiving, pre-dinner sipping, or lighter holiday appetizers.

Kuhlman Cellars describes the Hensell rosé as having aromas of red berries such as cassis and sweet violet. In the mouth it offers round mid-palate texture and medium acidity on the finish — notes that match our tasting experience.

Kuhlmination Estate White Wine

The second pour was the 2018 Kuhlmination Estate White, a Marsanne and Roussanne blend sourced entirely from Kuhlman’s estate vineyard and harvested in July 2018. This wine earned a Gold Medal at the 2018 Lone Star International Wine Competition.

On the nose, expect jasmine and fresh white peach aromas. The palate shows a crisp acidity balanced by honeysuckle and lemon-drop flavors, giving it a slightly floral and fruity profile. It tasted neither too sweet nor overly tart in our tasting and complemented salty crackers, cheeses, and other savory nibbles.

This Estate White will work well with traditional Thanksgiving fare — especially turkey and lighter sides — and is also an appealing summer wine for warm-weather meals.

2016 Kuhlman Cellars Alluvé Red

We finished with the 2016 Alluvé, Kuhlman Cellars’ proprietary red blend. The composition includes Malbec, Mourvèdre, Carignan, Tempranillo, Zinfandel, and Petite Sirah, producing a layered and approachable red.

Alluvé shows bright red fruit, subtle bramble, and savory hints like anise and thyme. It’s light and elegant while offering complexity and a velvety texture. We found it rich enough to stand up to heavier sides and heartier holiday dishes, yet balanced enough for everyday enjoyment.

This red blend is one of Kuhlman Cellars’ popular offerings, and it’s easy to see why. We loved its complexity and smooth character and plan to serve it with Thanksgiving mains and richer sides — possibly even with certain desserts that pair well with red wine.

Kuhlman Cellars Alluve Red Wine Blend Review from Kitchen Gone Rogue

Alluvé fits both everyday drinking and special-occasion categories: it’s approachable for casual meals yet refined enough for holiday celebrations.

Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Bundle Tested

The tasting included the following bottles from Kuhlman Cellars’ Thanksgiving bundle:

2018 Hensell (rosé)
2018 Estate White (Marsanne/Roussanne)
2016 Alluvé (red blend)

Kuhlman Cellars Thanksgiving Wine Review — Pin It

If you’re choosing wines for a holiday meal, this trio offers balanced options for appetizers, turkey and sides, and richer dishes. Pin this review for future reference, and if you try any of these Texas wines, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Thanksgiving and holiday meals call for wines that pair well across a variety of flavors. Kuhlman Cellars’ Thanksgiving trio delivers a rosé, a bright estate white, and a versatile red that together cover the broad palette of seasonal dishes.