The Best Wine and Cheese Pairings
As anyone who loves a good charcuterie board knows, pairing cheese and wine is an art form. Just like every pot has its lid, every cheese has its wine—and vice versa. From soft, creamy subtlety to sharp, funky flavors, each cheese has a match made in wine country.
Our terroir-driven wines provide exceptional flavor and peak sustainability. In this guide we’ll explore some cheeses that pair perfectly with Halter Ranch’s organically crafted wines. Continue reading to learn about good wine and cheese pairings for your next appetizer spread!
Classic Pairings
We’ll begin with tried-and-true combinations. If you lack the confidence for creativity, these traditional cheese and wine pairings are sure to please. The Wisconsin Cheeseman’s pairing chart offers several classing pairing varieties, including:
Cabernet Sauvignon: Aged Gouda, Parmesan
Champagne/Sparkling Wine: Brie, Camembert, Chevre
Chardonnay: Brie, Camembert, Gouda
Malbec: Cheddar, Emmental
Merlot: Cheddar, Gouda, Gruyère
Pinot Grigio: Mozzarella, Ricotta
Port: Stilton, Roquefort
Riesling: Blue Cheese, Havarti
Sauvignon Blanc: Goat Cheese, Feta, Pecorino
Syrah/Shiraz: Gouda, Manchego, Pepper Jack
Creative Pairings
Wine and cheese pairings come from a set of tasting rules. Once you understand the principles of flavor combinations, you’ll be able to mix and match wines and cheeses. Then you can create your own culinary adventure. These guidelines provide a foundation for your own creativity and flavor palate.
White Wine & Young: Creamy Cheeses
Red Wine & Strong: Aged Cheeses
Off-Dry White Wines: Spicy Cheeses
Light Bodied Wines: Light Cheeses
Full Bodied Wines: Heavier Cheeses
We enjoy combining a variety of complex flavors to turn pairings into an experience.
Cheese with nutty flavors, like Gruyere, is an excellent partner for a rich red wine, like our Carignan. Soft cheeses like brie are fantastic with crisp white wines, like our Viognier. Salty cheeses—aged cheddar, for example—marry well with a Cabernet Sauvignon. We also love goats milk cheese with a bright, sparkling white wine.
Find our tasting notes for each Halter Ranch wine here. Enjoy the adventure of pairing them with your favorite cheeses and meats!
The Halter Ranch Estate Cheese & Charcuterie Board
At our tasting room. The combination of flavors is an excellent accompaniment to our Ranch and Silver Label Flights of our estate wines.
Our Estate Cheese & Charcuterie Board includes:
Cheeses
Mount Tam | Organic cow’s milk triple cream brie from Northern California
Ewenique | Semi-hard sheep’s milk cheese from Paso Robles, California
Barely Buzzed | Semi-hard cow’s milk cheese from Utah
Alle-Pia Charcuterie from Paso Robles, California
Nduja: Pork salami spread with Calabrian chilis and sundried tomatoes
Cacciotorino: Cured, dried pork salami with black pepper, garlic, juniper, and Chianti wine
Coppa: Rich, fatty pork shoulder cured with garlic, fennel, white wine, and spices
Grenache Blanc Apricots: Dried Turkish apricots in Halter Ranch Grenache Blanc, Halter Ranch honey, champagne vinegar, sugar and cardamom.
Syrah Cherries: Tart, dried cherries in Halter Ranch Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon vinegar with sugar and autumn spices.
Ancestor Mustard: Inspired by the French Moutarde au Voilette, a mustard seasoned with reduced grape musk. We reduce our flagship wine, Ancestor along with Ancestor vinegar and fold it into three types of mustard. Pairs well with the richness and saltiness of cured meats.
Elevate Your Cheese and Wine Pairings with Terroir-Driven Halter Ranch Wines
Whether your preference leans dry or sweet, red or white, Halter Ranch offers wines to suit any palate. Our estate is a haven for the natural world to continue flourishing while delivering exceptional, timeless wines. They are biodynamic, organic, and sustainable. Visit for a chance to try our Executive Chef, Paul Arangorin’s personally selected wine and cheese pairings!
From Rosés to Boudeux-style blends, our wines provide truly exceptional quality and character. Order today so that your next charcuterie board or appetizer spread will wow your guests! We bottle the best of our organic fruit, and our fine wines ship directly to your door. Halter Ranch also offers two wine club membership options with exclusive perks at all 3 locations and online.