Best wines for fall: 10 sweet Duplin moments
As the leaves turn golden and the air gets that wonderful crisp chill, there's no better time than autumn to cozy up with a glass of wine. From comforting mulled wines to festive fall cocktails and delectable food pairings, these are the perfect sips to celebrate the season. No matter which you choose, Duplin’s best wines for fall are sure to add a touch of North Carolina charm to your season.
Everything Autumn
Start the season with Duplin's new Autumn while this small-batch wine lasts. Ripe harvest fruit and a cozy, soft finish evoke enchanted wanderings under golden leaves; warm, crackling fires and sweater-weather nights with friends who sprinkle the spice of life on every moment. This limited-run wine, released in August 2025, is the one to pack for leaf-peeping weekends and camping trips with just you two. Ice down Autumn for firepit gatherings. Tailgating, too! Pair Autumn with saucy ribs, spicy wings, mini pumpkin tarts and all the crunchy snacks.
Cranberry Spice Sangria
With its complex sweet and fruity notes, Duplin Sunset Red is a fantastic base for fall sangria. In a large pitcher, combine 1 bottle of Sunset Red, 1 cup of cranberry juice, 1/2 cup of orange liqueur (like Triple Sec) and 1/4 cup of maple syrup. Also add a bunch of sliced oranges and apples. Include fresh cranberries, too, plus a few cinnamon sticks and a star anise pod. Chill for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve over ice for a vibrant, fruity and subtly spiced fall drink.
Stew-pendous Burgundy
Soft-dry Duplin Burgundy expresses hints of fruit that make it a versatile wine for fall dishes. A lovely contrast to complex flavors, Burgundy loves rich bowls of chili or hearty beef stew seasoned with a hint of clove. Or consider a mushroom and root vegetable gratin covered in nutty Gruyere cheese. The subtle fruit notes will complement the savory depth of these dishes without overpowering them, making for truly comforting meals.
Heritage Roasted Squash Soup
Duplin Mothervine is the traditional scuppernong white wine. Its grapes are grown on cuttings from North Carolina's historic "mother vine," a more than 400-year-old grape vine. That heritage fruit offers a unique sweetness, beautifully enhancing fall flavors. Add a dash of Mothervine to your favorite recipe for creamy roasted butternut squash soup. The wine's fruity character will highlight the natural sweetness of the squash, creating a harmonious and comforting appetizer or light lunch.
Darlin' Caramel Apple Cocktail
A pretty bow on the label makes Duplin Darlin' gift-giving ready — no fancy wrapping required when sharing this irresistibly sweet and fruity blush. Family and friends will cheer when you show up for Thanksgiving with bottles for everyone and plans to whip up this special pre-dinner cocktail.
Caramel Apple Cocktail: In a shaker with ice, combine 3 ounces of Darlin', 1 ounce of caramel vodka, and 1 ounce of apple juice. Shake well and strain into a rocks glass rimmed with cinnamon sugar. Garnish with a thin apple slice and fall favorite herbs like fresh thyme, rosemary or sage. Bookmark the recipe.
Southern Mist Apple Cider Mimosa
Add some vivacious and sweet fizz to your fall brunch with Duplin Southern Mist, a finely carbonated muscadine-moscato blend, in an Apple Cider Mimosa. Combine equal parts chilled Southern Mist and sparkling apple cider in a champagne flute. Garnish with a thin apple slice or a cinnamon stick for an extra touch of autumn flair. A sprig of fresh rosemary or a single sage leaf adds elegance and a wonderful fall aroma.
Orange Spice Spritzer
Fizzy, citrus-tinged Duplin Orange Blossom offers a bright and zesty counterpoint to richer fall flavors, making it a fun sipper for tailgate parties, especially in this drink.
Orange Spice Spritzer: In a glass filled with ice, combine 4 ounces of Orange Blossom, 1 ounce of pumpkin spice syrup and a splash of soda water. Stir gently and garnish with a twist of orange peel. It's a refreshing twist on classic fall flavors!
Cozy Evening Sipper
Cheers to crisp air, changing leaves and mulled wine that warms you from the inside out. Making spiced or mulled wine is a breeze with Duplin Mulling Spices or Jingle Spice mixes. Gently heat 2 bottles of Duplin Autumn in a saucepan with 1 packet of Duplin Mulling Spices and sliced oranges and apples. Do not simmer or boil. Serve warm in mugs, garnished with an orange slice and cinnamon stick. Also try our classic mulled wine with fan favoirte Hatteras Red wine, Duplin Muscadine Cider, apple juice and lemonade. The easy recipe is right on the Duplin Mulling Spices label!
Port with Pecan Anything
Let the distinctive sweetness of Duplin American Port shine in dishes that celebrate fall’s pecan harvest down South. The fortified wine's sweetness will complement the pecans and balance their richness. Check out our holiday recipes for a cranberry pecan cheese ball, cornbread sausage stuffing and more to pair with this ultimate fall sipper. Add a dash of praline liqueur to our favorite Port Espresso Martini recipe too!
Gift Basket: Darlin' little tarts
Savor brunch or pack a gift basket with Darlin' or Scuppernong Blush wine and warm cream cheese Danish tarts. They that look fancy but are so easy to make. Just four ingredients are required to put together these hand-held pockets that bake in a mere 10 minutes. The wine's sweetness enhances the tarts, creating a delightful pairing. Come December, add a jar of Duplin Gourmet Christmas Wine Jelly to your basket.
