By Lori Budd of Exploring the Wine Glass
As October wanes, there is an unmistakable shift in the atmosphere. The late-afternoon sun drops lower on the horizon, casting long, dramatic shadows across the vines, and the evening air turns cool and crisp. In wine country, this season signals the winding down of harvest. The frantic, joyful, dusty days of crush giving way to the quiet introspection of autumn.
For centuries, ancient traditions have honored this exact moment in the turning of the year. In Wicca and modern Paganism, late October marks Samhain (pronounced sow-in), the Third and Final Harvest on the Wheel of the Year. It is a powerful moment. It marks the beginning of the “dark half” of the year. A time when the harvest is complete, the veil between worlds thins, and our palate naturally craves the rich, grounding depth of dark red wine.
At Samhain, the winemaking process itself serves as a profound spiritual metaphor. Grapes that spent the summer basking in the sun are harvested, crushed, and tucked away into dark cellars. The fruit “dies” in its original form, undergoing a dark, miraculous fermentation to be reborn as wine.
The Thinning of the Veil: Embracing the Introspective Season
Samhain sits precisely at the midpoint between the Autumn Equinox and the Winter Solstice. It is the seasonal threshold where Wiccans believe the “veil” between the physical and spiritual realms grows whisper-thin. In the glass, wine has always belonged to this liminal space. It is a living, evolving liquid, caught in the quiet transition between the sunlight it captures in the vineyard and the dark depth of the cellar.
This season isn’t about fear or horror; it’s about reflection, honor, and transformation, which is the very essence of winemaking. Just as nature sheds its leaves and draws its energy down into the roots, wine in barrel settles into its lees, stripping away raw youth to cultivate structure, character, and nuance. As we slow down and look inward, the wine in our glass invites us to do the same.
Each swirl brings forth aromas of damp earth, dried herbs, dark fruit, and oak. Like a sensory homage to the ongoing cycle of life, death, and rebirth bottled right in front of us.
From Summer Whites to Autumn Reds: A Shift in Mindset
Think about how we drink wine in the warmth of midsummer. Crisp Sauvignon Blancs, chilled Rosés, and bright Albariños match the outward, energetic, sun-drenched days of July and August. They are refreshing, light, and immediate.
As the veil thins and Samhain approaches, our instinctual desire shifts. The body and mind naturally turn away from refreshing chill and crave warmth, structure, and complexity. In turn, we look to the reds. Pouring a heavy, complex red wine into a broad glass during late October is its own subtle ritual. The deep crimson liquid reflects the firelight, the aromatic spice warms the senses, and every sip invites us to slow down, savor, and sit comfortably in the quiet beauty of the season.
Uncorking the Magic of the Season
Late October offers a magical opportunity to connect with what’s in your glass. As harvest wraps up and the cellar doors close for the winter, take a moment to honor the cycle. Light a candle, pour a dark red wine from your favorite (or find a new favorite) downtown winery, and raise a glass to the harvest, the ancestors, and the quiet, beautiful darkness ahead.
About Lori Budd
With a passion for wine that bubbles like the finest Champagne, Lori Budd is a wine educator who loves bringing the joys of vino to others. A certified Spanish Wine Scholar and WSET Level 2 Award holder, Lori has mastered the nuances of wines from Albariño through Zinfandel. As a champagne specialist, she can sabrage a bottle open with flair while explaining what makes the region unique. Lori founded Cabernet Franc Day to spotlight this oft-overlooked Bordeaux variety. Based in Paso Robles wine country, she is dedicated to promoting the extraordinary region. When Lori pours, good times are sure to flow; she promises to never tell you what to drink, but she’ll always share what’s in her glass. Follow along her journey through her award winning blog and nationally ranked podcast; Exploring the Wine Glass.
