This Sangria Day (Dec 20th) give these show-stopping sangrias a try—they decorate the holiday table with the glitziest colors and textures of the season, whether you’re gathering around a tasting room fireplace or hosting at home. Read on to discover how these show-stopping sangrias can transform your holiday gathering with recipes that blend Paso’s finest wines with the season’s most celebratory ingredients.
What is Winter Sangria?
Enhanced with warming spices like cinnamon sticks and star anise, Paso Robles Winter Sangria brings bold comfort to holiday gatherings. At its heart, traditional Sangria is Spain’s sunshine in a glass: A zesty blend of wine, fresh fruit spirits and a dash of sweetness served chilled.
Each winter, this classic drink wows with the addition of seasonal fruits like jewel-toned citrus, crisp apples and ruby pomegranate seeds. Wine lovers are encouraged to try both red and white Sangria variations this Sangria Day (the key is to always allow each exceptional wine to shine through). The secret ingredient is quality Paso Robles wine—and enough time in the fridge to allow those festive flavors to come together. The result is pure winter magic!
Best Paso Robles Wines for Sangria
Striking the perfect balance between boldness and nuance, Paso Robles wines make a great addition to top shelf winter sangria. Spanish varieties like Tempranillo and Grenache offer natural fruit-forward flavors that complement winter citrus and spices, while Bordeaux-style blends add sophistication and structure.
For lighter options, explore aromatic whites—from honeyed Roussanne to citrus-bright Sauvignon Blanc—each bringing their own seasonal gifts to the table. We’ve included a few stellar recommendations for Paso Robles wines that shine in winter sangria.
Organic Rhône-Style Red Sangria
Halter Ranch’s organically-grown Grenache blend offers bright fruit characteristics and subtle spice notes that make it an ideal sangria base this holiday season. Medium body allows winter fruits to shine while maintaining the wine’s delightfully earthy identity. Shop Wine
YIELD: 1 PITCHER (SERVES 6)
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES + 4 HOURS CHILL TIME
INGREDIENTS
Sangria:
- 1 bottle Halter Ranch Grenache
- 1 cup Grand Marnier
- 1 cup spiced pomegranate juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup sparkling water
Fruit & Spices:
- 2 blood oranges, sliced
- 1 cup pomegranate seeds
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
Rim & Garnish:
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Pomegranate seeds
- Blood orange slices
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all ingredients except sparkling water in pitcher
- Chill 4 hours
- Add sparkling water before serving
- Pour over ice, garnish with rosemary sprig
- Float pomegranate seeds and orange slice
TIP: Gently muddle rosemary sprig before using as garnish to release oils.
Visit Halter Ranch
Sustainable Sophistication: Halter Ranch’s stunning 2,700-acre estate in the Adelaida District is a testament to Paso’s farming future. With certified-organic vineyards, solar fields and rainwater harvesting, Halter Ranch combines environmental stewardship with world-class winemaking. The property’s historic Victorian farmhouse and state-of-the-art winery cave system offer visitors a unique glimpse into both Paso’s past and future.
Must-try Winter Experience: Don’t miss their Land Rover Defender Tours for an adventurous look at sustainable vineyard practices, or book dinner at Alice restaurant for farm-to-table dining with a stunning vineyard view.
Visit: 8910 Adelaida Road, Paso Robles
Winter Hours: Daily, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Spiced Cranberry Sangria
Oso Libre’s rich Primitivo explodes with bold fruit flavors and natural spice notes that create an exceptionally robust winter sangria. Its generous weight stands up beautifully to holiday spices, so feel free to “go big.” Shop Wine
YIELD: 1 PITCHER (SERVES 6)
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES + 4 HOURS CHILL TIME
INGREDIENTS
Sangria:
- 1 bottle Oso Libre Primitivo
- 1 cup spiced brandy
- 3 tablespoons local honey
- 1 cup cranberry juice
Fruit & Spices:
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 3 mandarin oranges, sliced
- 2 star anise pods
- 1 cinnamon stick
Rim & Garnish:
- Candied orange peel
- Fresh cranberries
- Star anise pod
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all ingredients in pitcher
- Chill 4 hours
- Pour over ice
- Garnish with candied peel and cranberries
- Float star anise pod
TIP: Muddle a few cranberries before adding for deeper color and flavor.
Visit Oso Libre
Sustainable Ranch Tasting: This working cattle ranch turned boutique winery embodies Paso’s agricultural heritage while embracing modern sustainability. Powered entirely by renewable energy, Oso Libre (“Free Bear”) achieves a rare net-zero carbon footprint while producing award-winning Spanish, Rhône and Bordeaux varietals.
Must-Try Experience: Savor Oso Libre’s estate wines alongside local cheese and charcuterie while learning about the winery’s pasture-raised Estate Angus program (take home some beef for your next holiday soiree).
Visit: 7383 Vineyard Drive Paso Robles
Winter Hours: Daily, 11 AM – 4 PM
Bright Winter White Sangria
Sixmilebridge’s Sauvignon Blanc provides crisp acidity and elegant aromatics that elevate this winter white sangria to new levels of freshness. Its clean profile creates the perfect canvas for seasonal fruits and spices, allowing nuanced zest to play on the palate. Shop Wine
YIELD: 1 PITCHER (SERVES 6)
PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES + 4 HOURS CHILL TIME
INGREDIENTS
Sangria:
- 1 bottle Sixmilebridge Estate Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup pear liqueur
- 1/4 cup honey syrup
- 1 cup Prosecco
- Juice of 1 grapefruit
Fruit & Spices:
- 2 Asian pears, thinly sliced
- 1 honeycrisp apple, thinly sliced
- 1 pink grapefruit, segmented
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 4 cardamom pods, lightly crushed
- Small sprig of fennel fronds
Rim & Garnish:
- Fresh mint sprigs
- Grapefruit twist
- Thin pear slices
INSTRUCTIONS
- Combine all ingredients except prosecco in pitcher
- Chill 4 hours
- Add Prosecco before serving
- Pour over ice, garnish with mint and fruit
- Add grapefruit twist and fennel frond
Visit Sixmilebridge
Boutique Excellence: Named as a nod to owner Jim Moroney’s Irish roots, this intimate Adelaida District tasting room offers some of Paso’s most personalized tasting experiences. Each visit includes your own dedicated wine educator who’ll guide you through their limited-production Bordeaux-style wines. Their unhurried approach and comparative tastings using Riedel’s varietal-specific stemware elevate every sip into an educational journey.
Must-Try Winter Experience: The SixmileStems Comparative Tasting showcases how proper stemware enhances different wine varieties. Cheers to that!
Visit: 5120 Peachy Canyon Rd, Paso Robles
Winter Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 4 PM (by appointment)
Tips for Perfect Winter Sangria
- Choose Premium Paso Robles Wines: Your winter sangria will only be as delicious as the wine you start with
- Allow Proper Melding Time: Give flavors 4-6 hours to develop
- Serve at Ideal Temperature: 55°F showcases the wines’ complexity
- Have Fun with Garnishes: There’s no right or wrong way to create a festive glass: Decorate yours with herbs, citrus wheels and cinnamon sticks
- Perfect Pairings: Complement with local artisanal cheeses and charcuterie
Plan Your Winter Wine Adventure in Paso Robles
Plan your winter wine adventure through Paso’s most captivating wine tasting rooms. From sustainable ranches where sheep graze between vines to historic estates housing beguiling wine caves, each Paso Robles winery reveals its own blend of innovation and tradition.
Make it a seasonal journey—Paso’s winter welcomes visitors with mild days, cozy tasting rooms and vineyard views stretching into the oak-studded horizon.
