Southern Hospitality: Local Wines for a Southern Thanksgiving Feast

Thanksgiving in the South is more than just a holiday. It's a celebration of family, friendship, tradition, and, perhaps most importantly, Southern hospitality. It's a time when generations gather around tables overflowing with roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, glazed ham, sweet potato casserole, collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and, of course, homemade pecan pie.

Here at The American Vine, we believe that if you're celebrating a traditional Southern Thanksgiving, why not consider serving wines made in the South as well?

When most Americans think about wine, California, Oregon, and Washington naturally come to mind. But across the Southern United States, an increasingly diverse community of grape growers and winemakers is producing wines that deserve serious attention.

From the historic vineyards of Virginia and the rolling hills of North Carolina to the Texas Hill Country and the emerging wine regions of Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and beyond, Southern wineries are proving that excellent American wine isn't limited to the West Coast.

Southern winemaking presents unique challenges, including summer heat, humidity, unpredictable weather, and varying growing conditions. Yet these challenges have encouraged winemakers to experiment with grape varieties and techniques particularly suited to their regions.

The result is an exciting selection of wines that can complement everything from roasted turkey and cornbread dressing to glazed ham and rich Southern side dishes.

In Part Two of our Thanksgiving series, “A Taste of Home: American Wines for Your Thanksgiving Table,” we're exploring wines from all 14 Southern states, highlighting wineries worth discovering and offering practical suggestions for pairing their wines with your holiday feast.

New to the series? Start with Part One: Thanksgiving Wines from the Northeast.

Thanksgiving dinner presents an interesting challenge when choosing wine. Unlike a typical meal built around one main course, Thanksgiving brings together an assortment of flavors, textures, and seasonings.

There's savory roasted turkey, rich gravy, buttery mashed potatoes, herb-filled cornbread dressing, tart cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, roasted vegetables, and often glazed ham.

Southern wines offer an impressive range of styles that can complement these dishes.

A refreshing Virginia Viognier can balance rich casseroles and creamy side dishes. A food-friendly Cabernet Franc can enhance roasted turkey and herb-seasoned dressing. A North Carolina Chambourcin or Montepulciano can offer fruit, structure, and versatility, while a Texas Tempranillo can stand up to smoked turkey, glazed ham, and heartier Southern favorites.

And let's not forget sparkling wines, which are increasingly being produced by wineries throughout the South. Their refreshing acidity and festive character make them particularly appealing for Thanksgiving celebrations.

Perhaps most importantly, choosing a Southern wine gives us an opportunity to support the family-owned wineries, dedicated grape growers, and talented winemakers who are helping shape the future of American wine.

Virginia has become one of the most respected wine-producing states on the East Coast. With vineyards spread across the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah Valley, Monticello region, Northern Virginia, and the Eastern Shore, the state offers a remarkable variety of growing conditions.

Two grapes in particular deserve attention when planning a Southern Thanksgiving: Viognier and Cabernet Franc.

Barboursville, Virginia

If there's one white grape that has become closely associated with Virginia wine, it's Viognier.

Originally from France's Rhône Valley, Viognier has found a welcoming home in parts of Virginia, where skilled winemakers have developed expressive wines with beautiful aromatic qualities.

Barboursville Vineyards, established in 1976 by the Zonin family, is one of Virginia's best-known and most respected wineries. Located near Charlottesville, the estate has played an important role in demonstrating the potential of Virginia's vineyards.

Its Viognier is a wonderful style to consider for Thanksgiving.

Viognier typically offers attractive aromas of peach, apricot, honeysuckle, and citrus, often accompanied by a smooth, rounded texture. Unlike some lighter white wines, Viognier can have enough body to stand up to richer foods while retaining the freshness needed for a holiday meal.

That combination makes it particularly appealing alongside roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, and creamy Southern casseroles.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, sweet potato casserole, and creamy vegetable dishes.

Visit Barboursville Vineyards

Prefer red? I've tasted Barboursville's 2023 Reserve Cabernet Franc and scored it 93 points — see the full notes on the Barboursville Reserve Cabernet Franc bottle page in My Tastings.

Machipongo, Virginia

For Thanksgiving guests who prefer red wine, Virginia Cabernet Franc deserves a prominent place at the table.

One producer worth discovering is Chatham Vineyards, located on Virginia's Eastern Shore at historic Chatham Farm.

The vineyard benefits from the maritime influences of the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, which help moderate temperatures and contribute to the area's distinctive growing conditions.

Chatham Vineyards produces several wines from traditional European grape varieties, including Cabernet Franc.

Cabernet Franc is particularly appealing with Thanksgiving dinner because it generally offers red cherry and dark berry characteristics, subtle herbal notes, refreshing acidity, and moderate tannins.

These qualities make it an excellent alternative to heavier red wines that can overpower turkey and traditional side dishes.

The grape's natural herbal characteristics are especially appealing alongside sage-seasoned cornbread dressing, roasted vegetables, and mushroom dishes.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, mushroom dishes, green bean casserole, and herb-seasoned vegetables.

Visit Chatham Vineyards

North Carolina has one of the most interesting wine histories in the South.

Long associated with Muscadine grapes, the state has developed a growing reputation for wines produced from European grape varieties and French-American hybrids, particularly in the Yadkin Valley and surrounding areas.

The state's diverse geography, stretching from the Atlantic Coastal Plain to the Appalachian Mountains, creates a wide range of growing environments.

Two red grapes worth discovering are Chambourcin and Montepulciano.

Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid grape that has become popular among wineries in several eastern states because of its adaptability and ability to produce appealing red wines.

What makes Chambourcin especially interesting for Thanksgiving is its potential to combine generous fruit with enough acidity to complement savory dishes.

A dry Chambourcin can work beautifully with roasted turkey, smoked ham, cornbread dressing, barbecue-inspired side dishes, and roasted vegetables.

For readers interested in discovering this grape, North Carolina's Yadkin Valley is an excellent place to begin exploring. The region includes wineries producing traditional European varieties as well as hybrids, although Chambourcin availability varies by producer and vintage.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, glazed ham, collard greens, and roasted vegetables.

Ronda, Swan Creek AVA, North Carolina

One of the exciting developments in North Carolina wine is the growing interest in grape varieties traditionally associated with Italy. Among the wineries embracing this approach is Castello Barone Vineyards & Winery, a boutique, family-owned estate located in Ronda, in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Founded by Scott and Elizabeth Barone, Castello Barone reflects the couple's Italian and French heritage and their passion for producing distinctive wines. Located within North Carolina's Swan Creek American Viticultural Area, the winery is helping demonstrate the potential of European grape varieties in the American South.

For our Southern Thanksgiving wine recommendations, we're featuring the winery's 2023 Montepulciano.

Montepulciano is a red grape most closely associated with central Italy, particularly the Abruzzo region. It is known for producing wines with generous dark fruit flavors, approachable tannins, refreshing acidity, and appealing savory characteristics.

Typical Montepulciano flavors include black cherry, plum, blackberry, dried herbs, and subtle peppery spice. Depending on the winemaking style, the wine may also display earthy characteristics and hints of tobacco or dark chocolate.

These qualities make Montepulciano particularly interesting for Thanksgiving, especially when the menu includes rich, savory Southern dishes.

Imagine pairing a glass with roasted turkey covered in homemade gravy, sage-seasoned cornbread dressing, roasted mushrooms, or a generous serving of glazed ham. The wine's fruit characteristics can complement the savory flavors, while its acidity helps balance the richness of the meal.

For guests who enjoy Merlot, Sangiovese, or Cabernet Franc but want to explore something different, North Carolina Montepulciano offers an appealing alternative.

Castello Barone is an example of the creativity and determination helping shape the future of Southern winemaking.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey with gravy, cornbread dressing, glazed ham, roasted mushrooms, and savory vegetable dishes.

Visit Castello Barone Vineyards & Winery

No discussion of North Carolina wine would be complete without mentioning Muscadine.

Unlike Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, or Viognier, Muscadine grapes are native to the southeastern United States and have a long history in Southern agriculture and winemaking.

Muscadine wines are available in dry, semi-sweet, and sweet styles, although sweeter versions are especially familiar to many Southern wine drinkers.

Their distinctive fruity aromas and flavors can be an interesting complement to spicy dishes, glazed ham, and certain desserts.

For Thanksgiving, a chilled semi-sweet Muscadine wine may be particularly appealing with glazed ham or sweet potato dishes, while a sweeter version can work with fruit-based desserts.

Everything seems a little bigger in Texas, and its wine industry is no exception.

Texas has become one of the most dynamic wine-producing states in the country, with important growing regions that include the Texas High Plains and Texas Hill Country.

While Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are grown in Texas, some of the state's most interesting wines come from grape varieties that are well suited to warmer climates.

Among them, Tempranillo has emerged as an especially promising variety.

Stonewall, Texas

Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Pedernales Cellars is known for its commitment to producing wines that express the potential of Texas-grown grapes.

Tempranillo, the famous red grape associated with Spain's Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, has attracted considerable attention among Texas winemakers.

Its ability to develop rich fruit flavors while maintaining structure makes it an appealing option for the state's growing conditions, particularly when vineyards are carefully managed.

Pedernales Cellars has developed a reputation for Texas Tempranillo, making it a producer worth exploring for a holiday gathering.

Tempranillo often offers flavors reminiscent of ripe cherry, plum, blackberry, leather, and warm spice. Depending on the winemaking style, it may also display earthy characteristics and subtle oak influences.

For Thanksgiving, this makes Tempranillo especially appealing alongside dishes with deeper, richer flavors.

While a lighter red may be preferable with plain roasted turkey breast, Texas Tempranillo can shine alongside smoked turkey, glazed ham, roasted meats, cornbread dressing, and savory side dishes.

Thanksgiving pairing: Smoked turkey, glazed ham, cornbread dressing, roasted meats, and hearty vegetable dishes.

Visit Pedernales Cellars

Fredericksburg, Texas Hill Country

Another Texas winery that deserves a place in our Southern Thanksgiving wine recommendations is Becker Vineyards, one of the state's most established and recognizable wine producers.

Founded in 1992 by Dr. Richard and Bunny Becker, the winery is located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country near Fredericksburg. Over the years, Becker Vineyards has helped demonstrate the potential of Texas winemaking, producing an impressive selection of wines from both traditional European and warm-climate grape varieties.

The estate is known for its picturesque vineyards, distinctive stone-barn winery, and commitment to producing wines that reflect the character of Texas. Its portfolio includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Viognier, Mourvèdre, Sangiovese, and Tempranillo, among others.

For Thanksgiving, we're featuring Becker Vineyards' 2022 Tempranillo Reserve, a particularly interesting selection for guests who enjoy flavorful red wines with character and structure.

This wine is a blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Touriga Nacional, produced from Texas-grown grapes. According to the winery, it offers aromas and flavors of dried fig, red cherry, and cedar, along with refreshing acidity and firm tannins.

These characteristics make it an appealing companion to some of the richer dishes found on a traditional Southern Thanksgiving table.

Imagine serving this Tempranillo alongside smoked turkey, homemade cornbread dressing, roasted vegetables, or a generous portion of glazed ham. Its fruit and savory qualities can complement the seasonings and richness of these dishes, while its acidity helps refresh the palate.

For families who include smoked brisket or other barbecue-inspired dishes in their Thanksgiving celebrations, this wine offers another interesting pairing opportunity.

Becker Vineyards is an excellent example of how Texas winemakers have embraced grape varieties traditionally associated with Europe and developed wines with a distinctive Texas identity.

Thanksgiving pairing: Smoked turkey, glazed ham, cornbread dressing, roasted vegetables, and smoked brisket.

Visit Becker Vineyards

Thanksgiving is a celebration, and few wines capture that festive spirit better than sparkling wine.

While Champagne and California sparkling wines often receive the most attention, Southern wineries are also producing sparkling wines worth discovering.

Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas all have producers exploring different sparkling wine styles, from traditional-method wines to refreshing sparkling whites and rosés.

Sparkling wine is particularly useful at Thanksgiving because its acidity and bubbles can refresh the palate between bites of rich food.

Charlottesville, Virginia

One Southern sparkling wine producer worth knowing is Thibaut-Janisson, a Virginia winery associated with traditional-method sparkling wines.

Its approach reflects the influence of classic French sparkling winemaking, with wines designed to emphasize freshness, balance, and elegance.

A dry sparkling wine from Thibaut-Janisson can be an excellent way to welcome Thanksgiving guests.

The combination of lively acidity, delicate bubbles, and citrus or orchard-fruit characteristics makes this style particularly attractive with appetizers, cheeses, roasted turkey, and lighter holiday dishes.

Sparkling wine can also complement fried appetizers, helping balance their richness.

For Thanksgiving hosts who want to begin the celebration with something a little special, Virginia sparkling wine is a wonderful alternative to more familiar imported selections.

Thanksgiving pairing: Holiday appetizers, cheese boards, roasted turkey, fried appetizers, and pre-dinner toasts.

Visit Thibaut-Janisson Winery

Virginia, North Carolina, and Texas may receive much of the attention when discussing Southern wine, but they're far from the only states producing wines worth exploring.

Across the Southeast and into the Ozarks, family-owned wineries are embracing native American grapes, French-American hybrids, traditional European varieties, and locally grown fruit to create distinctive wines.

Some of these wines may be unfamiliar to readers, but that's part of the excitement. Thanksgiving offers an opportunity to discover something new while supporting American wineries that are helping establish their states' winemaking identities.

Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina

Located on Wadmalaw Island near Charleston, Deep Water Vineyard offers an authentic taste of South Carolina's Lowcountry wine culture.

The winery specializes in Muscadine grapes, which are particularly well suited to the region's warm, humid growing conditions.

For Thanksgiving, we're featuring Low Country Red, a dry red wine made from the Ison Muscadine grape.

Unlike the sweeter Muscadine wines many people associate with the South, this wine offers a fruit-forward, dry expression of a distinctly American grape.

Its fruity character makes it an interesting companion to roasted turkey, herb-seasoned vegetables, and traditional Southern side dishes.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, roasted vegetables, and savory casseroles.

Visit Deep Water Vineyard

Dahlonega, Georgia

Georgia's North Georgia mountains have become an increasingly interesting destination for wine enthusiasts, and Wolf Mountain Vineyards is among the producers helping bring attention to the region.

Located near Dahlonega, the winery produces a range of wines, including traditional-method sparkling wines.

For Thanksgiving, we're featuring Blanc de Blancs Brut, a dry sparkling wine made from Chardonnay.

With its crisp acidity, citrus characteristics, and delicate bubbles, this wine offers a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of Thanksgiving dinner.

It's an especially attractive choice for welcoming guests, serving alongside appetizers, or enjoying with the turkey itself.

Thanksgiving pairing: Holiday appetizers, cheese boards, roasted turkey, crab cakes, and creamy side dishes.

Visit Wolf Mountain Vineyards

Clermont, Florida

Florida may seem an unlikely destination for traditional winemaking, but Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards has helped establish a distinctive wine culture in the Sunshine State.

Located in Clermont, Lakeridge has been producing wines since 1989 and is particularly known for working with native Muscadine grapes.

For Thanksgiving, we're highlighting Pink Crescendo, a sparkling rosé made using the traditional sparkling-wine method.

The winery describes it as fruit-forward, with firm acidity and a lingering finish.

Its festive character makes it an appealing option for Thanksgiving celebrations, particularly as a welcoming glass before dinner.

Thanksgiving pairing: Holiday appetizers, fruit and cheese platters, glazed ham, and lighter desserts.

Visit Lakeridge Winery & Vineyards

Arrington, Tennessee

Tennessee's wine industry has grown considerably, with wineries producing everything from traditional European varietals to hybrid and fruit wines.

One particularly interesting producer is Arrington Vineyards, located in the countryside south of Nashville.

For Thanksgiving, we're featuring 2022 Red Fox Red, a medium-bodied dry red blend made primarily from Sangiovese, with Petite Sirah, Noiret, and Chambourcin.

According to the winery, the wine offers red berry characteristics, subtle spice, and hints of oak.

These qualities make it especially appealing with traditional Southern holiday dishes.

The wine's combination of fruit and savory characteristics should complement sage-seasoned cornbread dressing, roasted turkey, and roasted vegetables.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, cornbread dressing, roasted vegetables, and savory holiday dishes.

Visit Arrington Vineyards

Midway, Kentucky

Kentucky has a long but often overlooked winemaking tradition, and wineries such as Equus Run Vineyards are helping introduce more visitors to the state's wines.

Located in the scenic Bluegrass region near Lexington, Equus Run combines a working vineyard with a welcoming tasting room and beautiful countryside.

For Thanksgiving, we're recommending the winery's White Riesling.

Riesling is one of the most versatile grapes for Thanksgiving because its acidity and fruit characteristics can complement both savory and slightly sweet dishes.

Depending on the wine's sweetness level, it can be especially appealing with glazed ham, sweet potatoes, roasted turkey, and traditional Southern casseroles.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, glazed ham, sweet potatoes, and creamy casseroles.

Visit Equus Run Vineyards

Morgantown, West Virginia

Nestled among the hills of northern West Virginia, Forks of Cheat Winery has been producing wines since 1990.

Founded by Jerry Deal, the family winery offers a variety of traditional grape wines, hybrid wines, and fruit wines.

For Thanksgiving, we're featuring its Chambourcin, a dry red made from the French-American hybrid grape.

The winery describes the wine as having herbal aromas and soft red fruit characteristics.

Chambourcin's generally approachable structure makes it a particularly interesting choice for roasted turkey, mushroom stuffing, and savory vegetable dishes.

It's another example of how hybrid grapes are contributing to the diversity of American wine.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, mushroom stuffing, cornbread dressing, and roasted vegetables.

Visit Forks of Cheat Winery

Calera, Alabama

Alabama's wine industry is small compared with those of more established states, but its producers are finding creative ways to work with regional grape varieties and fruit.

Ozan Winery & Vineyard, located in Calera, is one of the state's interesting wine destinations.

For Thanksgiving, we're recommending Shelby Blanc, a semi-sweet white wine made from Scuppernong, a bronze-colored Muscadine grape.

This distinctly Southern wine offers an opportunity to experience a grape with deep roots in American viticulture.

Its fruity character and sweetness make it especially appealing with dishes that combine savory and sweet flavors.

Serve it chilled alongside glazed ham, sweet potato casserole, or a selection of cheeses.

Thanksgiving pairing: Glazed ham, sweet potato casserole, fruit platters, and mild cheeses.

Visit Ozan Winery & Vineyard

Natchez, Mississippi

Few grapes are as closely associated with the Deep South as Muscadine, and Mississippi's Old South Winery has made this native American grape central to its identity.

Established in 1979, the family-operated winery specializes in Muscadine wines made from Mississippi-grown grapes.

For Thanksgiving, we're highlighting Miss Scarlett, one of the winery's rosé-style Muscadine wines.

Muscadine wines offer a distinctive flavor profile that can be quite different from wines made from European grapes.

A fruity Muscadine rosé can be an enjoyable alternative for guests who prefer approachable, fruit-forward wines.

Depending on the sweetness of the particular bottling, it may be especially appealing with glazed ham, sweet potatoes, and holiday appetizers.

Thanksgiving pairing: Glazed ham, sweet potato casserole, fruit platters, and appetizers.

Visit Old South Winery

West Monroe, Louisiana

Louisiana presents unique challenges for grape growing, particularly because of its heat and humidity. Yet producers such as Landry Vineyards have demonstrated that carefully selected grape varieties can thrive in parts of the state.

Founded in 1999, Landry Vineyards is a family-operated winery located in West Monroe.

For Thanksgiving, we're recommending Blanc Du Bois Dry, a white wine made from a grape variety developed for growing conditions in the southern United States.

Blanc Du Bois is particularly interesting because it can produce aromatic, refreshing white wines in climates where many traditional European grapes struggle.

A dry Blanc Du Bois is an attractive choice for Thanksgiving, particularly alongside roasted turkey, seafood appetizers, and creamy Southern side dishes.

Thanksgiving pairing: Roasted turkey, seafood appetizers, cornbread dressing, and creamy casseroles.

Visit Landry Vineyards

Altus, Arkansas

Arkansas has a fascinating wine history, particularly in the Altus region, where families have been producing wine for generations.

Mount Bethel Winery is one of the state's historic family wineries, producing wines from both traditional European grapes and native American varieties.

For Thanksgiving, we're featuring Cynthiana, also known as Norton.

Cynthiana is a native American red grape that can produce deeply colored, flavorful wines with dark fruit characteristics, refreshing acidity, and a distinctive earthy or spicy personality.

This makes it particularly appealing with hearty Southern dishes.

A Cynthiana wine can complement smoked turkey, rich gravy, roasted meats, and traditional cornbread dressing.

For guests who enjoy fuller-bodied reds, it offers an opportunity to discover a grape with an important place in American wine history.

Thanksgiving pairing: Smoked turkey, roasted meats, rich gravy, cornbread dressing, and hearty vegetables.

Visit Mount Bethel Winery

Muskogee, Oklahoma

Oklahoma may not be widely recognized as a major wine-producing state, but its wineries are developing an interesting identity through traditional grape varieties, hybrids, and locally adapted growing practices.

Pecan Creek Winery, located near Muskogee, is one producer worth discovering.

The winery grows grapes including Chambourcin, Vignoles, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

For Thanksgiving, we're featuring its Barrel Reserve Chambourcin, a dry red wine that offers an interesting alternative to more familiar varieties.

Chambourcin can develop rich berry characteristics, subtle spice, and an approachable structure. Barrel aging may contribute additional complexity and savory notes.

These characteristics make it particularly appealing with smoked turkey, cornbread dressing, roasted mushrooms, and other hearty Thanksgiving dishes.

Thanksgiving pairing: Smoked turkey, cornbread dressing, roasted mushrooms, and savory vegetable dishes.

Visit Pecan Creek Winery

Southern Thanksgiving meals are often filled with rich, savory, sweet, and sometimes smoky flavors. Fortunately, Southern wines offer plenty of options.

These are style-based recommendations, and individual wines may differ depending on the producer, vintage, and winemaking approach.

With so many different flavors on a Southern Thanksgiving table, it's tempting to offer a different wine with every dish. But there's no need to make the celebration complicated.

Our recommendation is to choose three wines that offer guests a variety of styles.

Start with a Virginia Viognier, which can complement roasted turkey, sweet potatoes, cornbread dressing, and creamy side dishes.

For red wine drinkers, offer a Virginia Cabernet Franc or North Carolina Chambourcin. Both can provide the fruit, acidity, and balance needed for savory holiday foods.

If your Thanksgiving table includes smoked turkey, glazed ham, or other hearty dishes, consider adding a Texas Tempranillo from Pedernales Cellars or Becker Vineyards.

For guests who enjoy exploring less familiar varieties, Castello Barone's Montepulciano, Mount Bethel's Cynthiana, or a Chambourcin from West Virginia or Oklahoma can offer an interesting alternative.

And if you want to make the gathering feel especially festive, begin the afternoon with a bottle of Southern sparkling wine.

The goal isn't to impress guests with an expensive or complicated wine selection. It's to offer enjoyable wines that complement the food and encourage people to discover something new.

One of the most rewarding aspects of exploring American wine is discovering the people behind the bottles.

Across the South, many wineries are small, family-owned businesses operated by people who have invested years of hard work, financial resources, and personal passion into their vineyards and winemaking.

These producers often face challenges that are very different from those encountered in more established wine regions.

Humidity, heavy rainfall, late spring frosts, summer heat, and disease pressure can all influence grape growing. In some areas, finding grape varieties that can thrive consistently is an ongoing process.

Yet Southern winemakers continue to innovate, experiment, and improve.

By choosing a bottle from a Virginia vineyard, a North Carolina winery, a Texas producer, or a small winery in another Southern state, you're helping support the people who are building the future of American wine.

You're also giving your Thanksgiving guests something interesting to talk about.

Imagine serving a Virginia Viognier with your turkey and explaining why the grape has become so closely associated with the state.

Or pouring a Texas Tempranillo alongside smoked turkey and sharing how a grape best known for Spanish wine has found a new home in the American Southwest.

Perhaps you'll introduce someone to North Carolina Montepulciano, Arkansas Cynthiana, or a sparkling wine produced in Georgia.

Those discoveries are part of what makes wine so enjoyable.

Thanksgiving in the South has always been about hospitality, generosity, tradition, and bringing people together.

The food may vary from family to family, but the spirit of the holiday remains the same.

And as the Southern wine industry continues to grow, there's never been a better time to give regional American wines a place at the Thanksgiving table.

From the aromatic Viogniers and elegant Cabernet Francs of Virginia to the approachable Chambourcins and Montepulcianos of North Carolina, the bold Tempranillos of Texas, and the increasingly impressive sparkling wines being produced across the region, the South offers an exciting variety of wines worth discovering.

The story doesn't end with the region's best-known wine states. South Carolina Muscadine, Georgia sparkling wine, Tennessee red blends, Kentucky Riesling, West Virginia Chambourcin, Alabama Scuppernong, Mississippi Muscadine, Louisiana Blanc Du Bois, Arkansas Cynthiana, Oklahoma Chambourcin, and Florida sparkling wine all demonstrate the remarkable diversity of Southern American winemaking.

This Thanksgiving, consider visiting a local winery, exploring a regional wine shop, or selecting a bottle from a Southern producer you've never tried before.

You might discover a new favorite wine. You might introduce family and friends to a region they never knew produced wine. And you'll be supporting the passionate winemakers who are helping write the next chapter of American wine.

Here at The American Vine, we believe great American wine deserves a place at every American table. And when it comes to Thanksgiving in the South, there's plenty worth celebrating.

Happy Thanksgiving from The American Vine, and cheers to Southern hospitality, great food, and discovering the wonderful wines being made right here in America!

This article is Part Two of The American Vine's five-part Thanksgiving series, “A Taste of Home: American Wines for Your Thanksgiving Table.” Coming next: Part Three — The Midwest.