Bringing Idaho to the Thanksgiving Table

Celebrating Local Flavors, Local People, and Wines That Bring It All Together

Thanksgiving in Idaho has its own flavor, and it starts with the people who grow, bake, raise, and craft the things we actually want on our tables. At Holesinsky, that’s what we’re all about. Idaho fruit in every bottle, local producers whenever possible, and a holiday spread that reflects the place we love. So instead of talking about perfect pairings, we’re highlighting the Idaho businesses that make Thanksgiving taste real, fresh, and honestly better than anything shipped in from who knows where.

Start with the Appetizers: Evans Farmstead Artisan Cheese

Grazing is basically a Thanksgiving survival strategy. You spend all day cooking, smelling everything, waiting for dinner, and pretending you’re not starving. That is why having Evans Farmstead Cheese out early is essential. Their Idaho-made cheeses instantly turn that in-between hunger into something enjoyable instead of everyone raiding the pantry. A simple board with cheese, honey, nuts, or sliced apples feels effortless but still special, and it gives people something real to snack on while the main dishes come together.

This is usually when someone finally opens the first bottle too. Lighter wines like our Unicorn Rosé or Grenache slide perfectly into this part of the day. Delicious local cheese and local wine keeping everyone happy until the real feast lands on the table. Find them in local shops across Idaho.

Bring in the Bread: Barron Bakery

Thanksgiving is the one day of the year where nobody pretends they’re “cutting back on carbs,” so good bread deserves its own moment. Barron Bakery’s focaccia and sourdough are the kind of breads that make the whole table feel cared for without you turning your kitchen into a bakery. They’re based in Boise and offer pre-orders for the holiday, which makes it even easier to have incredible bread on the table. Warm it up, serve it with butter or a dish of olive oil and balsamic, and suddenly everyone is leaning in for another piece.

And the real win is tomorrow’s leftovers. Their sourdough makes a next-day turkey sandwich that honestly might outshine the actual dinner.

If you want to pour something alongside it, our newly released 2022 Merlot fits naturally into this part of the meal. It has fresh notes of cranberry sauce, allspice, and raspberry with a clean, dry finish that doesn’t overpower a slice of good bread.

Fresh From the Field: Wissel Farms

Wissel Farms has been growing food in Nampa since 1911, which means they’ve been feeding Idaho families for more than 115 years. That kind of history shows up in the quality of their produce. When you’re cooking Thanksgiving sides, starting with ingredients that have been grown on the same land for generations brings a level of freshness and depth you just can’t fake.

Roasted carrots, mashed potatoes, herb-heavy stuffing, sautéed greens… whatever you’re making, using locally grown vegetables adds real flavor without any extra work. It’s the easiest way to bring true Idaho harvest energy into your meal, and it’s a nod to the farmers who’ve been doing this long before Thanksgiving hashtags existed.

And since everything on Thanksgiving ends up sharing one plate anyway, our Idaho-grown wines fit right in with these fall flavors. Reds like Tempranillo have that warm, earthy character that complements fresh, local produce naturally. Idaho-grown ingredients and Idaho-grown wine coming together the way they were meant to.

The Main Event: Burly Meats

Every Thanksgiving table has one big decision. Stick with turkey or switch it up. Burly Meats is the answer for anyone choosing the “switch it up” route. They’re based in Burley, Idaho, and specialize in local, Idaho-raised beef that brings serious flavor to the holiday. Their smoked hams and roast prime rib are perfect for families who want something hearty and celebratory without adding another all-day project to the kitchen.

Their ready-to-go sides are another win. Fresh, local, and made to actually taste homemade. You heat them. You serve them. You get back valuable time without sacrificing quality.

Maybe you make the turkey. Maybe you let Burly handle the main course. Maybe you mix and match. However you do it, their Idaho-raised beef and Idaho-made sides bring real depth to the table without piling more work onto the day.

And if you’re pouring wine with it, the moment practically calls for Sasquatch Cabernet Sauvignon. It is big, bold, and full of dark fruits, star anise, and that wild sagebrush edge that feels right at home next to rich cuts of beef. Dry, powerful, and totally “squeezable by the campfire,” it carries the same Idaho energy Burly brings to the meal. A big purple beast matching the mood of an Idaho feast.

Raise a Glass to Idaho

A great Thanksgiving table starts with great local makers, and Idaho has no shortage of them. Evans Farmstead Cheese, Barron Bakery, Wissel Farms, Burly Meats… these are just a few of the producers we love supporting. There are so many others across the state who pour their passion into what they grow, bake, and raise, and they all deserve a place at the holiday table.

We’re proud to be part of that community. Our wines come from Idaho fruit grown in Idaho soil, crafted with the same local-first mindset these producers bring to their work every day. Being grouped alongside makers who care this much about quality and this place is something we never take for granted.

Local ingredients. Local producers. Local wine. One Thanksgiving meal grounded in the people who make Idaho what it is.

Here’s to supporting the local businesses that keep this state thriving and sharing a holiday that truly feels like home.
Happy Thanksgiving from Holesinsky Winery.