The Still & The VineSchool of Wine & Spirits

School of Wine & Spirits

Cocktail Recipes

Every bottle we review comes with a cocktail built around it. These are the recipes — each one matched to the spirit it was made for.

29 recipes · Red Wine

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2021
Red Wine

Serve it straight. Ridge Geyserville is a single-vineyard field blend whose complexity deserves a Bordeaux glass at 62°F. Decant 30 minutes before serving to allow the old-vine aromatics to open. No mixing.

Ridge Vineyards Geyserville 2021

Ridge Vineyards

Recipe

Serve it straight. Ridge Geyserville is a single-vineyard field blend whose complexity deserves a Bordeaux glass at 62°F. Decant 30 minutes before serving to allow the old-vine aromatics to open. No mixing.

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2019
Red Wine

Cocktail

Dominus Estate Napa Valley 2019

Dominus Estate (Christian Moueix)

Recipe

This wine deserves to be appreciated on its own terms. If you must mix, a simple red wine spritz works: 3 oz Dominus, 2 oz sparkling water, served over ice with an orange slice. But honestly, just pour it into a proper Bordeaux glass and give it thirty minutes to open.

Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 2018 Saint-Estèphe
Red Wine

Cocktail

Château Cos d'Estournel Saint-Estèphe 2018 Saint-Estèphe

Michel Reybier

Recipe

"The Estournel Sangria" (for a special occasion): Combine one bottle of a less expensive Bordeaux with 2 oz brandy, 1 oz orange liqueur, sliced oranges and blackberries, and refrigerate for 4 hours. Serve in wine glasses over ice. Save the Cos d'Estournel itself for sipping — it deserves nothing less.

Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019
Red Wine

Barolo Spritz: 3 oz Vietti Barolo Castiglione · 1 oz Amaro Montenegro · 2 oz sparkling water · Build in a large wine glass over ice, stir gently.

Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2019

Vietti (Krause family, since 2016)

Recipe

Barolo Spritz: 3 oz Vietti Barolo Castiglione · 1 oz Amaro Montenegro · 2 oz sparkling water · Build in a large wine glass over ice, stir gently.

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2020
Red Wine

Cocktail

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2020

Joseph Phelps Vineyards (LVMH Moët Hennessy)

Recipe

Insignia Sangria (use a younger vintage for cocktails): 1 bottle Napa Cabernet · 2 oz brandy · 1 oz orange liqueur · 2 oz fresh orange juice · 1 orange and 1 lemon sliced. Combine all ingredients. Chill overnight. Serve over ice.

Ridge Monte Bello 2019
Red Wine

Monte Bello is best enjoyed on its own. Ridge Wine Sangria: 1 bottle younger Ridge Cabernet, 2 oz brandy, 1 oz Cointreau, fresh dark fruits, 2 oz simple syrup.

Ridge Monte Bello 2019

Ridge Vineyards (Otsuka Holdings)

Recipe

Monte Bello is best enjoyed on its own. Ridge Wine Sangria: 1 bottle younger Ridge Cabernet, 2 oz brandy, 1 oz Cointreau, fresh dark fruits, 2 oz simple syrup.

Opus One 2019
Red Wine

The Opus Sangria: 1 bottle Opus One · 2 oz brandy · 1 oz Grand Marnier · fresh dark fruits.

Opus One 2019

Opus One Winery (est. 1979)

Recipe

The Opus Sangria: 1 bottle Opus One · 2 oz brandy · 1 oz Grand Marnier · fresh dark fruits.

Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022
Red Wine

Cocktail

Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022

Wagner Family of Wine (Caymus Vineyards, est. 1972)

Recipe

The Napa Sangria: 1 bottle Caymus Cabernet · 2 oz brandy · 1 oz Cointreau · 2 oz fresh orange juice · seasonal dark fruits (plums, blackberries, cherries). Combine in a pitcher, refrigerate 4–8 hours. Serve over ice with a cinnamon stick. The wine's richness makes a deeply satisfying sangria — but only if you're patient enough to let it rest.

Antinori Tignanello 2021
Red Wine

Cocktail

Antinori Tignanello 2021

Marchesi Antinori (est. 1385, 26th generation)

Recipe

The Tuscan Negroni: 1.5 oz gin · 1 oz Campari · 1 oz sweet vermouth · 1 oz Tignanello (float). Stir gin, Campari, and vermouth with ice, strain into a rocks glass, float the Tignanello. An Italian cocktail with an Italian wine — the Sangiovese’s cherry and herbal notes transform the classic.

Catena Zapata Malbec High Mountain Vines 2021
Red Wine

Cocktail

Catena Zapata Malbec High Mountain Vines 2021

Bodega Catena Zapata (est. 1902, fourth generation)

Recipe

The Andes Sangria: 1 bottle Catena Zapata Malbec · 2 oz pisco · 1 oz simple syrup · sliced peach, plum, and orange · cinnamon stick · 4 oz sparkling water. Combine in a pitcher, refrigerate 4 hours. The Malbec’s violet and dark fruit give this a depth that lighter reds can’t match.

Marqués de Riscal Reserva 2019
Red Wine

Cocktail

Marqués de Riscal Reserva 2019

Herederos del Marqués de Riscal (est. 1858)

Recipe

Rioja Sangria Clásica: 1 bottle Marqués de Riscal Reserva · 2 oz brandy · 1 oz Cointreau · 1 oz fresh orange juice · sliced orange, apple, and lemon · cinnamon stick. Combine in a pitcher, refrigerate 4 hours. The Reserva’s vanilla and leather notes give this sangria a backbone most versions lack.

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2021
Red Wine

Cocktail

Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Shiraz 2021

Treasury Wine Estates (Penfolds, est. 1844)

Recipe

Penfolds Mulled Wine: 1 bottle Bin 389 · 2 cinnamon sticks · 4 cloves · 2 star anise · Orange zest strips · 2 tbsp honey. Warm gently (don’t boil) for 20 minutes. Ladle into mugs.

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Each cocktail recipe comes from a full expert review — nose, palate, finish, and the aroma training kit that pairs with it.

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