It’s no secret that we love to entertain at Harney Lane! While great wine is a must for any party, the real key to a successful holiday gathering is having a strong theme and all of the pieces in place.
In order to bring the rustic yet modern feel of our ranch to you this season, we’ve put together a guide to entertaining, Harney Lane-style! Now that the holidays are here, we invite you to celebrate love, laughter, family and wine to the fullest!
Set the Table
Ambiance is everything during the holidays – and truly all year long. There is nothing like drinking a good glass of wine with friends and family, but it is only made better with a roaring fire and a beautiful tablescape beckoning.
There is nothing like drinking a good glass of wine with friends and family
We love bringing the outdoors in, both for events here at Harney Lane and at home. We look for seasonal greenery right here on the property, including olive branches, eucalyptus and various evergreens. Not only is evergreen foliage stunning to see, but it adds a subtle seasonal fragrance to your table. Nothing is off limits, so think outside the box! 
To bring texture and color to your tablescape, layer fresh, colorful fruits including citrus and pomegranate with gathered items like pinecones and clusters of grapes or berries.
To complete the setting, add soft candlelight with well-placed votives and pillar candles, or wind twinkly lights through your arrangement to really set the ambient mood. If fresh flowers are available, creating simple bouquets to spread around the table is the perfect finishing touch.
Make Guests Feel at Home
As anyone who has stepped foot into our Tasting Room knows, our matriarch Kathy Mettler is hostess, welcome committee and mom all rolled into one. Her warmth, stories, sense of humor and wit leave a lasting impression and so does the fact that she always tells it like it is. It’s no wonder that her house is full of visitors throughout the holiday season. When we asked Kathy what she does to make her guests feel at home, she responded without hesitation – “I pour a lot of wine.”
Kathy’s philosophy behind successful entertaining is relaxed and conversational, just like her. “I want everyone who comes over to feel like family,” she reflects. “I used to think I wasn’t doing it right because I didn’t pull out all the bells and whistles. But people still came and then returned!”
To set the stage, Kathy keeps things cozy with a fire in the fireplace, candles and games. Her legendary Christmas tree is ever-present through the month of December, decked out in full holiday finery and several generations worth of Christmas ornaments that are the subject of many family jokes, but are at their heart real, treasured memories.
What Kathy has found that she values most is having genuine conversations. She’s managed to create a space that encourages just that, whether it’s in her home or at the winery. We can all take this important note from our matriarch, who greets each of her guests with a hug, followed by the important question, “what kind of wine would you like?”
Host the Dinner
When it comes time to gather for a meal, we always look to our proprietors Jorja and Kyle Lerner for their expertise! When they aren’t busy managing the winery and vineyards, they are most at home indulging in delicious homemade dinners that feature local, fresh ingredients and are perfect with a glass of wine.
Jorja’s affinity for cheese makes for eye-catching yet easy appetizers. One of her favorites is Barely Buzzed by Beehive Cheese Company, a full-bodied cheese with a nutty smooth texture that is rubbed in lavender buds and coffee grounds. Barely Buzzed is always a hit given its unusual flavor combination and Jorja recommends trying it alongside our Lizzy James Old Vine Zinfandel for a real treat. Other popular pairings include Mushroom Brie or any triple-cream brie, such as Mt Tam from Cowgirl Creamery, with our Chardonnay as well as the surprising marriage between Saint Agur Blue Cheese (Kyle’s holy grail) and Petite Sirah.
As dinner rolls around, Jorja likes to keep things simple. “When the details are taken care of ahead of time, it’s easy to keep things comfortable and inviting. We like to have everything in place so our guests can relax.”
“When the details are taken care of ahead of time, it’s easy to keep things comfortable and inviting. We like to have everything in place so our guests can relax.”
For a smaller group, Kyle will slow cook a prime rib or beef tenderloin. Look for meat with a good amount of marbled fat and rub with a nice herbal seasoning, then match with a big, full-bodied wine such as Patriarch’s Promise (new Lot coming soon!) or Petite Sirah, which happily enhances any protein. Sides are straightforward with a twist, playing on traditional comfort foods, including mashed potatoes made with fresh-pressed roasted garlic and crispy roasted brussel sprouts, sliced in half, seasoned and topped with bacon.
Pour the Wine
“Accept what life offers you and try to drink from every cup. All wines should be tasted; some should only be sipped, but with others, drink the whole bottle.” ― Paulo Coelho
We consider these words to live by and, when it comes to the holidays, the more the merrier! We are thrilled to have grown our portfolio over the last few years and are now offering more varieties than ever before. Whether you crave a crisp, delicate Dry Rosé or prefer the deep, rich tones of Petite Sirah, we like to think we have a wine for every palate.
One of the most exciting elements of being involved in the winemaking process is seeing the beauty in each year’s grapes and tasting the finished product. We’ve come to appreciate the nuances of every vintage and it is always an adventure pulling a wine out of our Library. Our Wine:30 Club Members have exclusive access to our limited library selection, which ranges from Primitivo and Cabernet to our original Patriarch’s Promise, poured at our very first dinner in the vineyard! For a truly special holiday experience, we strongly suggest hosting your own vertical tasting at home with friends.
For a truly special holiday experience, we strongly suggest hosting your own vertical tasting at home with friends.
If you are aiming to make a big impression this season, we have a limited quantity of large format bottles remaining in our cellar. Our 2013 Lizzy James Old Vine Zinfandel and our Lot 16 Patriarch’s Promise – both of which are sold out – are still available in Double Magnums that are hand-painted and etched in beautiful detail. Just be sure to surround yourself with friends and family who can help you finish the bottle!
Bring the Party with You
We love to recommend wine for food pairings or special occasions and can always tell you the best bottle to drink with hors d’oeuvres. But often, at least at our holiday table, the wine takes center stage!
If you’re bringing wine to enjoy with dinner or as a host gift this season, we have plenty of options to make you the star of the soirée. Easily brighten up a party gift by adorning a favorite bottle of wine with a festive holiday ornament and bow. It’s a cheerful way to keep things merry with minimal effort (because let’s be honest, there is never enough time during the holidays)!
Each year we dream up new and fun ways to gift wine, so we’ve created a selection of curated packs to make your giving a piece of cake! Our Celebration Pack showcases a bottle of our classic Lodi Zinfandel with two Harney Lane logo glasses, while our Collector’s Pack features a collection of our most sought-after varietals, including Lizzy James Old Vine Zinfandel, Lot 16 Patriarch’s Promise (sold out, only available through the pack!) and our Lizzy James Port-Style Dessert Wine. New, exclusive winter packs have just been added to our website.
Whatever your gifting needs are, we’ve done our best to anticipate them, but are also happy design you a custom gift, whether for corporate giving, your foodie cousin or that wine-obsessed uncle. All of our wine gifts are thoughtfully packaged for presentation and include the option of a handwritten card – the perfect way to share your sentiments this season.
