Date Night with The Duckhorn Portfolio

Are you still looking for a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift? Get inspired with date night ideas and wine to perfectly complement the experience. Here are our top picks.

Rooftop Romance

Capture the feeling that you're on top of the world with a rooftop rendezvous. Whether you're eyeing cascading views or the city skyline, this date is all about elevation. Effortlessly, transition sunset drinks to a romantic starlit dinner with this bottle. We recommend:

• 2019 Calera Mt. Harlan Chardonnay
  Reach new heights with this elegant, age-worthy white with lovely underlying power. Lush and lively layers of white peach, vanilla bean and lemon zest balanced by bright acidity and a supple mouthfeel. Grown high on the limestone-rich soils of Mt. Harlan– at around 2,200 feet, it’s among the highest and coolest vineyard sites in California.

Karaoke Night

Love it or leave it, there’s no room for shyness or inhibition on Karaoke Night. Bring the boldness to match your inner Mariah (Carey). There are two choices– we recommend:

• 2019 Canvasback Walla Walla Washington State Syrah Funk Vineyard
  Hit the right note with juicy fruits and a savory core with complex tasting notes of blackberry, blue plum, pomegranate, tobacco leaf and more. This bottle brings the high energy and character you’re going to need to power through the night.

Play Tourist in Your Own Town

Take this moment to explore tried and true landmarks in a new way – from the perspective of a tourist. What is the one thing your hometown is known for? Do that. Pair it with this, we recommend:

• 2019 Migration Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard
  Defined by the idea of movement, even in familiar places, and known for exploring outside of its original home, this bottle features a complex minerality, a lovely texture, multilayered citrus, and orange blossom flavors.

Game Night

Throw a healthy dose of competitive spirit into your date night itinerary with game night. Board games, word games, cards, charades or trivia – all call for a playful, fun yet deeply romantic bottle. We recommend:

• 2018 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Confluence Vineyard
  Go bold with ripe strawberry and red plum aromas that fetch hints of mint and wildflowers in a fresh and radiant expression for a complex and long, lush finish. Bright, voluptuous and opulent – time to play for the win!

Do a Virtual Wine Tasting

Take a moment – close your eyes and envision the rolling hills, picturesque vineyards, exceptional landscapes and unfiltered light of Napa Valley. Transport yourself to the wine capital of California for a fun, engaging virtual wine tasting date.

Make Dinner Together + Dessert

Unless you have it down to a science, cooking together could be unpredictable. Stick to a classic, reliable bottle because if all else fails, you will still have an exquisite bottle to drink. We recommend:

• 2018 Duckhorn Vineyards Rutherford Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
  Classic notes of dusty Rutherford minerality and beautiful balanced French oak frame both red and dark berry flavors, with notes of graphite, cracked pepper, caramel and black tea adding depth to a long-fruit-filled finish. Lovely layers of blackberry cassis and tobacco combine with the dusty minerality that comes to define this legendary wine.
• 2017 Calera Central Coast Viognier Doux
  This sumptuous dessert wine offers a heady bouquet of orange marmalade, apricot jam and ginger. On the palate, it’s lush and exotic with succulent layers of peach, ripe pear and honeysuckle framed by impeccably balanced sugar and acidity that carry this wine to a bright, lively finish.

Movie Night

Consider it the bread and butter of dates: often repeatable but never boring. Choose a classic flick or one you’ve held off for the right occasion. Only conundrum is that the references are limitless, so let’s narrow your pairing selection down by genre. We recommend:

Rom-Com:

• 2018 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Brut Rosé Sparkling Wine
  An inviting pale salmon color and enticing aromas of white peach, nectarine, wild strawberry, Key lime, and fresh-baked brioche, make this all too inviting to overlook.

Horror:

• 2019 Decoy California Merlot
  Tempting aromas of ripe cherry and black raspberry with sweet, dusty tannins and supple texture create a lush, expansive Merlot – would be frightening not to try this one!

Outdoor Adventure

You both love the outdoors and venturing new places so hiking is your go-to day date. Be sure to pack light and leave room for this wine pairing that will be the most complex thing you encounter along the way. We recommend:

• 2018 Canvasback Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon Longwinds Vineyard
  Explore the effusive nose of Kirsch, cherry compote, orange marmalade and cinnamon gliding across rich, velvety tannins. On the palate, flavors of wild strawberry and ripe red fruit dominate, gliding across rich, velvety tannins. Though plush and concentrated, the finish offers lovely grip and energy. This wine represents our first bottling of Longwinds Estate Vineyard on Red Mountain – so inherently brings that adventurous spirit!

Plan Your Next Vacation

Dreaming of your next getaway together– sounds like the perfect date! Put pencil to paper and build your ideal itinerary. Luxurious views, food, wine and relaxation – hint, hint: Napa Valley has it all. Drink well and plan accordingly. We recommend

• 2020 Migration Sonoma Coast Rosé of Pinot Noir
  A dazzling cool-climate rosé, this wine invites a first sip with its lovely aromas of fresh picked wild strawberries, summer melon and Meyer lemon. The red berry and melon layers are echoed on the bright, silky palate where they mingle with juicy stone fruit flavors that linger on the long, lush finish

Go to an Art Museum

Ready your senses with a feast for your eyes. Abstract, contemporary, realism – stroll the halls of a modern museum and admire the visionary works of art. Like our winemakers, each piece tells a story to activate emotions and a sensory experience. For this, we recommend:

• 2019 Parduxx Napa Valley Red Wine Rector Creek Vineyard – Block 5
  A limited-production wine that offers its own inspired variations on the contemporary and innovative style of our Paraduxx red blends. A beautiful blend of Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel showcase aromas of black cherry, cranberry, cinnamon, clove, and herbs de Provence that leads to an energetic, lush and dynamic finish.