Zebra striping, when one alternates between alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, presents a great opportunity to splurge on good wine. Whether you zebra stripe at the bar or at home, alternating between dry and drinking, the net result is fewer drinks and less money spent. Put those extra funds towards something special and take the opportunity to splurge on the good stuff. These wines are worth the wait, offering excellent texture, flavor, and complexity.
Bubbles First
Champagne Louis Roederer’s Collection 245: A sustainably crafted blend from one of France’s few remaining family-owned Champagne houses—it’s also exceptionally delicious. The blend includes fruit from three different plots as well as a selection of reserve wines (including some from young Cristal vines). Supple and richly textured on the palate, the wine is both complex and juicy. Lovely notes of pear and lemon cream finish with a distinctly saline minerality. Decadent and delightful. $69.99
White Wines:
Bouchaine Estate Reserve Chardonnay, 2022: A masterful blend of a dozen different Chardonnay blocks produced from the winery’s estate vineyards. By using a “spice rack” of different yeast strains, sur lie aging in stainless steel tanks and French oak barrels of different ages, toast levels, and origins winemaker Chris Kajani creates a delicious chardonnay that really shows what Carneros can do. The mouthfeel is satiny but the finish shows bright acidity—in between you’ll get tropical fruits layered into marvelous depth of flavor. Delish! $70
Tenor Chardonnay, La Reyna Blanca Vineyard, Royal Slope, Washington, 2022: This stunning small-lot stunning Chardonnay was recently awarded 100 points making it the first white wine in Washington States to achieve a perfect score. A score that is richly deserved. The palate is supple and satiny with ripe notes of peach and apple while the finish stays clean and fresh with a hint of mineral. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered, only 111 cases. $95
Red Wines
Bohème Pinot Noir, West Sonoma Coast, Taylor Ridge Vineyard, 2023: A silky and elegant expression of Pacific Coast terroir made from grapes grown in ancient seabed soils, this lovely wine illustrates a painstaking attention to craft. Winemaker Kurt Beitler hails from a legacy of winemaking—one of his ancestors was the director of Napa’s Beaulieu Vineyard’s first vintage in 1900 and another was the winemaker for Inglenook in the early 1900s. Some might better recognize his grandfather’s name, Charlie Wagner, who founded the iconic Caymus Vineyards. With Boheme, Beitler has defined his individual winemaking style—elegant, polished and expressive. Bohème Wines are made in small amounts and hard to find so a safe bet is to order online and taste them (before they become too popular!) $65
Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir, 2022: Sea Smoke wines have long been classics and this 2022 does not disappoint with velvety red cherry fruits, warm spices and a hint of violet. It’s a more full-bodied riff on Pinot Noir for those who like a wine with weight, but it still maintains elegance and structure making tasty to sip or savor with a grilled flank steak. $123 on winesearcher.com
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021: A lovely Old-World-style red wine with sultry notes of black cherry and spice. Satiny texture and fine tannins give way to a refreshing elegant finish. This is a great food wine, but equally perfect to sip over an evening with friends. $60
Coppo Barolo, del Commune di La Morra, 2020: When Giuditta Soldadino, owner of Coppo Winery, lost her husband shortly after purchasing Coppo, she made the bold decision to remain steadfast in the winemaking—committing the winery to sustainable practices and continuing to elevate the historic brand. She’s also been busy renovating the historic cellars and restoring heritage buildings, such as a former silkworm farm, alongside acquiring vineyards in prestigious areas like La Morra. This Barolo is beautifully structured with savory black-red fruit notes of spice and a lovely texture.
Julien Fayard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, 2021: Elegant and age-worthy with high-toned strawberry and cherry fruit notes and a finely tuned structure. Astonishingly sensual for only 12.9% alcohol. A Pinot for grilled lamb, salmon, or sipping by the fire. $95
Gracianna Mercedes Riverblock Estate Pinot Noir, 2023: A juicy, fresh expression of Pinot with ample strawberry-raspberry fruit and a soft spice on the palate. Delivers a fruit-forward, fresh take on Pinot with modest alcohol (13.2%). 2025 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition Silver Medal Winner, $68.
Calluna Vineyards Cuvée, (CVC) 2019: A fabulous wine at a civilized price (for Napa), this Bordeaux blend from Calluna estate vineyards in the Chalk Hill appellation is comprised of (mostly) Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and a touch of Petit Verdot. The palate is fine and structured with lovely notes of black cherry and cassis. The finish has a fresh touch to it—indicative of the cooler nature of this appellation. The 2021 vintage won Gold at the North Coast Wine Challenge. $38
Fortunati Napa Valley Estate Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, 2021: Owner and winemaker Gary Luchtel crafts this richly textured elegant wine from estate fruit in Napa. The palate shows notes of cassis, coca nib and black cherry. Awarded Best Red Wine, Best Napa Valley AVA Wine, and Best of the Best top honor across all categories at the 2025 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge. $95