Pop, Pour, Party: 10 American Wines That Belong at Your July 4 BBQ

Independence Day is more than just a date on the calendar. It’s a celebration of freedom, family, and the joy of summer gatherings.

Did you know that around 62% of Americans celebrate the Fourth of July with a barbecue or picnic with friends and family? So not only is this holiday a time to think about freedom, it is also a magnificent time to appreciate the diverse traditions of food and drink we all enjoy.

At Woodland Hills Wine Company, we love to help you find the right bottle to pair with your holiday barbecue, whether you are a barbecue devotee, a seafood fanatic, or simply like to enjoy a fresh garden salad while you take in fireworks. There is a perfect American wine for your plate.

Today, we are going to guide you to 10 wines. From Zinfandel to Syrah, from chilled Gamay to a skin-contact Orange, we have you covered.

1. Zinfandel from Sonoma, CA

While a number of grapes may yell “America,” there are probably none louder than Zinfandel. Rooted in California soil and built to be big, bold, and pleasing to the masses, Zinfandel is the ultimate BBQ red grape. Thought of as juicy blackberry and raspberry jam with a whiff of black pepper, this grape could easily stand up to some sauced ribs or charred sausages.

Zinfandel thrives in Sonoma's sun-soaked vineyards, where warm days and cool nights produce bold, fruit-forward wines with just the right amount of zip. This creates a wine that has a little spicy kick to go with smoked brisket or BBQ chicken.

• Pairs With: ribs, grilled burgers, sausages
• Try: Day Zinfandel Sonoma County 2018

2. Dry Rosé from Oregon or Santa Barbara

 

Dry rosé has officially moved beyond brunch. They are bright, crisp, meant to be served chilled, and made for outdoor grilling. The producers of Oregon and Santa Barbara are now making the light and vibrant rosés, with notes of strawberries and watermelon as well as minerality and herbs, which pair very well with lighter grilled fare.

Neither too sweet nor too acidic, these pink beauties provide a juicy and mouthwatering bite between bites of grilled chicken or watermelon feta salad. They also chill well and are easy to pour.

• Pairs with: grilled chicken, pasta salad, watermelon, and feta.
• Try: Curran Grenache Gris (Rosé,) Santa Barbara County 2022

3. Dutton Estate Chardonnay, CA

If you want traditional California, Chardonnay is your hero of white wine. The Dutton Estate Chardonnay is balanced. It’s not over-oaked and not too lean. Think peach, lemon zest, with a wink of toast- just enough to play well with potato salad, grilled corn, or salmon on a cedar plank. 

It's pure sunshine in a bottle for those lawn chair and flag-waving afternoons!

• Pair with: grilled effing corn, seafood, creamy side dishes. 
• Try: Dutton Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Kyndall's Reserve 2023

4. Cabernet Franc from Ynez Valley, CA

Often overshadowed by Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc offers a lighter, fresher profile with bright acidity and herbal notes. It pairs beautifully with grilled lamb, portobello mushrooms, and charred vegetables, an under-the-radar red that's perfect for July 4th grilling.

The Ynez Valley or central coast region (yes, California) produces some excellent cool climate representations. If you are ready to move on to something new to serve your guests beyond the normal wines, then check out Cabernet Franc.

• Pair with: grilled lamb, portobello, along sausage-stuffed peppers.
• Try: Lieu Dit Cabernet Franc Santa Ynez Valley 2022

5. Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains

If you were in the mood to escape any butter bombs, unoaked Chardonnay is your escape! It's crisp and minerally, with citrus peel and green apple, and would be perfect with grilled shrimp skewers, corn, and fresh green salads.

Santa Cruz wines are tasting coastal freshness, brought on by the cool marine breezes and higher elevation of the vineyards. This could be your chill-out card at a hot backyard party.

• Pairs with: shrimp skewers and grilled veggies or corn on the cob 
• Try: Ridge Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains Estate 2023

6. Sparkling Brut from Carneros or Anderson Valley

Each of the sides should have a pop. And as Champagne takes the credit, American sparkling wine (and in particular that of Carneros and Anderson Valley) delivers the refinement in greater proportion. Brut styles are toasty, crisp, dry, and belong to fried food (hello, chicken) and heavy seafood such as lobster rolls.

Grilled goodness gets a freshness and energy with bubbles. And it is only fair to admit that nobody ever regrets starting sparkling.

• Pairs with: fried chicken, deviled eggs, and lobster rolls
• Try: Schramsberg Brut Rosé North Coast 2021

7. Chilled Gamay or Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley, OR

Do you think that red wine is something off-limits during summer? Think again. Refrigerate a bottle of Gamay or Pinot Noir grown in the Oregon Region and you have an also juicy and refreshing but not wearying red. These wines are made of bright red fruit, some earthiness, and silky, and they taste good with grilled salmon dish, grilled hotdogs, and grilled veggie skewers.

Glou-glou (wine nerd speak for very drinkable), these bottles are suitable to take to picnics and are hot weather approved.

• Pairs with: grilled salmon, veggie skewers, hot dogs
• Try: Composition Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2023

8. Orange Wine from California

Want to surprise your guests? Pour a chilled orange wine, a white made using red wine techniques for added structure and texture. In case you are a hardcore wine lover and have done everything, then this is your next step. 

• Pairs with: smoked cheese plates, grilled peaches, peach-glazed chicken
• Try: Stolpman Love You Bunches Orange Wine Santa Barbara County 2021

9. Riesling (Dry or Off-Dry) from Washington State

Riesling may be the most friendly wine concerning food in the whole globe- and it does more than perfectly at a July 4 BBQ. Washington State offerings are zippy in acid, delicate in sweet, and aromatically lifted off-dry/dry in the Washington state style, so they are simply ideal alongside the spicy crunch of a barbecue dry rub, hot wings, and tart slaw.

Even people who claim they do not like sweet wine devour this with spicy ribs or sriracha corn.

• Pairs with: Spicy wings, BBQ pork, vinegar slaw
• Try: Ch Ste. Michelle-Dr. Loosen Riesling Columbia Valley Eroica 2022

10. Syrah from Paso Robles or Walla Walla

Come to the end with Syrah- the rich savory red to accompany the brisket of beef smoked or steak grilled. Paso Robles has a jammy black-fruit variety that is smoky, and Walla Walla offers pepper and herbs with flair.

Syrah is your July 4 MVP when you're serving both burgers and ribeyes—bold, smoky, and unforgettable. It is the grown-up version of fireworks and what could be loud, dramatic, and memorable.

• Pairs with: brisket, charred steak, BBQ pork ribs
• Try this: Horsepower Syrah Walla Walla Valley The Tribe 2011 1.5L

Sip Bold and Grill Big This July 4th With WHWC

You’ve got fireworks overhead and flames under the grill, what’s missing? Just the right wines to match your spread. This year, skip the basic beer cooler and bring bottles that bring something to the table. Whether it’s a crisp rosé, chillable red, or party-starting bubbles, American wine has something for every food, mood, and guest.

Looking to explore beyond the basics?

Browse the American Wine Collection at WHWC or chat with a sommelier for custom pairings.

Happy July 4th and cheers to the real red, white, and wine!

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