Galentine’s Day? Yep, you read that correctly. Galentine’s Day, the women-centric version of Valentine’s Day, is really just an excuse to gather your favorite ladies, open some good bottles, and linger around the table longer than planned. If you are really looking to hit the sweet spot between special and effortless, try a dinner anchored by Pinot Noir and Riesling. Yes, those specific varietals will help keep the refills flowing as you create an evening that feels cozy, celebratory, and genuinely fun.
5 Steps to Setting the Scene for Galentine’s Day
Step 1: Pick a space that invites lingering.
Your dining room, kitchen table, or even a backyard setup works as long as everyone can sit comfortably and talk without shouting over one another. Remember, Galentine’s Day dinner is not a formal dinner party. It is about closeness and conversation. And great wine, of course.
Step 2: Lean into warmth, not perfection.
Candles go a long way. So do simple flowers from the grocery store in mismatched vases. Maybe hang a few soft string lights if you have them. Yes, pink or red are festive for Galentine’s Day, but the real goal is making the space feel relaxed and welcoming.
Step 3: Make the table feel (a little) special.
Cloth napkins, real wine glasses (i.e., glass, not plastic), and a thoughtfully set table instantly elevate the evening. Nothing fussy. Just the kind of details that make people feel cared for when they sit down.
Step 4: Plan a menu that begs for wine pairings.
A great wine dinner does not need complicated food. In fact, simple dishes paired at home often pair better and keep you out of the kitchen.
- Sparkling + Charcuterie Board
Food: Cured meats, about 2-4 cheeses, olives, nuts, and whatever fruit is in season. Let the ladies snack and sip while everyone arrives.
Wine: Select a dry sparkling wine. It is celebratory, palate-cleansing, and sets the tone for the night.
Pro Tip: To stay on theme with Pinot Noir and Riesling, look for a Blanc de Noirs (typically all Pinot Noir and sometimes Pinot Meunier) or a German sekt (usually Riesling). - Pinot Noir + Mixed greens with goat cheese and candied pecans
Food: Fresh, a little tangy, a little sweet. A salad with these toppings is exactly what you want before the main course.
Wine: A fruity, elegant Pinot (especially from Oregon or Burgundy) plays beautifully with goat cheese and will not overpower the salad. - Dry Riesling + Lemon herb roasted chicken
Food: Simple, classic, and always a crowd-pleaser. Add roasted rosemary potatoes and vegetables. Done!
Wine: Look for a dry Riesling that balances acidity and vibrant citrus notes. This combination will offer enough acidity to keep things fresh while the detectable presence of citrus on the plate will compliment the ingredients in the main course.
Pro Tip: Look for a wine made with grapes grown on volcanic soils. That should not be too difficult to find with Oregon-grown and produced Riesling thanks to the gorgeous volcanic soils of Willamette Valley.
(Yes, yes…you can serve Chardonnay with this dish as well. If you go that route, it is recommended to serve an unoaked Chardonnay fermented in stainless steel because it will have retained the malic acid that plays well with the lemon in the meal. If you go for an oaked California-style Chardonnay with detectable lactic acid, be sure to add butter or ghee to the recipe to compliment the “buttery” notes in the wine.) - Sweet Riesling + Chocolate fondue
Food: No Galentine’s Day should end without chocolate! Gently melt fine chocolate inside a double boiler with butter or coconut milk to assist with a luxuriously soft and decadent fondue. Set out berries, marshmallows, cookies, or whatever feels fun for your group of ladies.
Wine: A sweeter style of Riesling is a lovely pairing choice with dessert (yes, even with chocolate!). A medium-sweet or sweet Riesling will offer just enough sweetness to complement the chocolate without feeling heavy, while the bright acidity will freshen the palate in anticipation of the next bite.
Step 5: Send Them Off Smiling
Why not elevate the gathering with grown-up party favors? A small parting gift is a sweet touch, but certainly not a requirement. A demi-bottle (375ml) of Pinot Noir is on theme, but even a handwritten note would be enough to create the warm impact you are looking for at the end of the night. It is more about the thought than the takeaway.
At the end of the night, Galentine’s is an excellent excuse to serve up good wine and food with the people who make both taste better. No need to stress about flawless pairings or Instagram-perfect table settings. Remember to pour generously, laugh loudly, and toast to friendships worth celebrating. Cheers!
Updated 1/24/2026
April Abate is a wine educator who loves helping people feel confident about what is in their glass. She is a Certified Specialist of Wine through the Society of Wine Educators and a Certified Executive Sommelier with the International Wine and Spirits Guild. With a diverse background in microbiology, education, hospitality, and sales, April brings science, clarity, and heart to her discussions about wine. Her goal is simple: to make wine more approachable by helping tasters understand not just what they like, but why they like it. For the past seven years, April has been part of the team at Brooks Wine in Oregon’s renowned Willamette Valley, sharing her passion for wines that tell a story of place and purpose. Drafting and refinement were supported by digital assistant software.