Regional Wines for Your Holiday Season

Jennifer Stockdale • November 9, 2020

From the perfect gift to the perfect toast, here are a dozen regional wines to make your holiday season merry.

For the serious wine collector

2017 Black Russian Red 
McGregor Vineyard, Dundee, NY
$80.00
A collectable, classic-made from Eastern European Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni grapes with flavors of black current, blackberry, toasty oak and smoky spice. This wine is meant to be cellared and enjoyed on a special occasion. Available at 

2017 Arcturos Winter Harvest Riesling 
Black Star Farms, Traverse City, MI
$52.50
A luscious, late-harvest wine that drinks like an ice wine. Enjoy beautiful sweetness with a nice backbone and a honey-smooth finish. Available at blackstarfarms.com.

2017 Merlot
Mari Vineyards, Traverse City, MI
$48.00
A beautiful, cool-climate Merlot with balanced oak and tannins to accompany a truly special holiday meal. Available at 

For the perfect housewarming gift

2016 Vinter's Barrel Blend 
Adams County Winery Orrtanna, PA
$32.99
A vinifera blend aged in bourbon barrels with flavors of ripe cherry and toasted nuts. Available at adamscountywinery.com.

2017 Chardonnay
North Coast Cellars Conneaut, OH
$26.00
Juicy pineapple fruit perfectly balanced with vanilla, toasty oak. Perfect to serve with a selection of cheeses. Available at bucciavineyards.com.

NV Lady of the Lakes Bubbly Moscato 
Heron Hill Winery Hammondsport, NY
$14.99
A light, refreshing crowd pleaser. Perfect for after dinner or cocktail hour. Sparkling, fresh fruit flavor with a smooth, sweet finish. Available at heronhill.com.

2017 Vidal Blanc
Kavic Winery Carnegie, PA
$17.99
Bright and citrusy with a smooth, sweet finish, this wine is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Available at kavicwinery.net.

For serving with your holiday dinner

2016 Pinot Noir "Clos Mes Amis"
Harpersfield Vineyard & Winery Geneva, OH
$26.99
Light cranberry and warm, toasty oak, perfect for your holiday turkey. 
Available at winesfromitaly.com.

2018 Three Note Riesling (from vines planted in 2016)
Kemmeter Wines Penn Yan, NY
$28.00
This baby Riesling has lively citrus and apple flavors balanced with the subtle minerality of its rich soil. A friendly wine with poultry and festive dishes. Available at kemmeterwines.com.

For a festive celebration

Celebre Sparkling
Dr. Konstantin Frank Wine Cellars Hammondsport, NY
$20.99
Lush peach, nectarine and apple flavors with a delicate, sweet finish. Perfect for ringing in the new year. Available at drfrankwines.com.

NV Holiday
Mt. Hope Estate
Manheim, PA
$11.95
This cozy wine has flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg spices. The perfect wine to warm in your Crock- Pot for evening sipping. Available at mounthope.estate.

NV Holiday Blush
Ferrante Winery & Ristorante Geneva, OH
$8.99
Crisp, spicy and refreshing, this wine is perfect for a laid-back holiday afternoon. Available at 

By Lesley Mann May 29, 2025
As we move into the second quarter of another exciting year, I want to take a moment to reflect on our accomplishments and share some of the new initiatives we are implementing in the realms of sales, marketing and community engagement. Over the past year, GBU Life has reached significant milestones thanks to the dedication and hard work of our team and the trust and support of our members. Our sales department has exceeded targets, and we have expanded our reach to more communities than ever before. We have launched several successful marketing campaigns that have not only increased our visibility but have also strengthened our brand's presence in the industry. For this year, our focus will be educating potential new members on the importance of securing their financial futures through life insurance and annuity products while serving their communities as part of our great Society. Looking ahead, we are committed to enhancing our sales strategies to better serve you. We are introducing some tools for our agents to enhance our products. One new tool is our Defined Benefit Annuity program which combines the Future Flex Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) with a software tool that can help determine retirement savings needs and break them down into contributions over time to help you meet your retirement goals. Be sure to keep in touch with your GBU agent to review your plans and products to see how adding an FIA to your retirement planning can help boost your savings efforts
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