Wine Box Experience - Nikki & Johann

Harvest Picks: Fall in Love with Autumn Wines

When the air turns crisp and the trees start showing their colors, the wine world hits its most sacred stretch of the year—harvest season in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s the culmination of months of sun, stress, and sugar accumulation. Winemakers are elbow-deep in crush bins, bees are buzzing over freshly picked fruit, and the scent of fermenting grapes hangs in the air like the promise of a good vintage. And while those wines will need time to evolve, you, loyal drinker, get to celebrate the season in real time with a glass in hand and a nearby plate of something roasted, stewed, or spiced.

Fall calls for wines that match the mood: earthy, warming, textured, and layered. Think reds like Pinot Noir, Grenache, Dolcetto, or Cabernet Franc. Grapes that play nicely with mushrooms, turkey, root vegetables, and those cozy umami vibes. For whites, go richer and rounder: Chardonnay (especially with a touch of oak), Alsatian Pinot Gris, or aged Riesling. This is also prime time to branch out. Don’t sleep on orange wines, chilled Lambrusco, or dry Sherry styles like Amontillado. These “off-the-beaten-vine” wines speak autumn fluently, with nutty, savory, spiced profiles that basically taste like a bonfire-lit dinner party under the stars.

Just like the summer winds shift to that crisp feeling in the air, time to shift our focus to the wines in your box this month… each one a perfect companion for fall’s golden glow.

The first wine to be picked off the vine is the Tokara Shiraz Stellenbosch, a choice pick for fall. A bold, structured red that practically begs to be poured once the flannel shirts come out and the kitchen fills with the scent of spice-laced roasts. This South African stunner brings dark plum, blackberry, and black pepper notes layered over a backdrop of smoky oak and savory herb. It’s like a fall spice rack in liquid form. With its robust tannins and warming depth, it pairs effortlessly with slow-cooked meats, charred vegetables, or a fire-pit dinner under crisp autumn skies. It’s a wine that celebrates the heart of harvest season by being expressive, grounded, and crackling with soul.

Our second hand-picked juice of the vine is the Pepe Mendoza Casa Agrícola Tinto. A rustic yet refined red that feels tailor-made for the cozy, flavor-rich embrace of fall. Sourced from the sun-drenched hills of Alicante, this blend (featuring Monastrell, Garnacha, and Syrah) brings together ripe forest berries, dried herbs, and a savory Mediterranean earthiness that echoes the warm spice of autumn cooking. It’s the kind of wine that plays beautifully with seasonal fare like roasted lamb, mushroom risotto, or even that leftover Thanksgiving stuffing you swear tastes better the next day. With its balance of freshness and depth, this bottle captures the essence of harvest: grounded, generous, and best enjoyed curled up at home with something slow roasted on your plate. 

So as you stash away your beach whites and summer chillables, lean into the deeper hues and fuller textures. Let the season shift your palate from zippy to contemplative, from picnic to harvest table. Autumn isn’t just a vibe, it’s a portal. One glass might remind you of walking through a forest of fallen leaves. Another might taste like the last tomato of the season, roasted and sweet. Welcome to sweater weather, where your wine gets just as cozy. Zum Wohl!