Scheid Family Wines’ Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay returns bigger than ever, with a playful approach to fall and a growing pipeline of seasonal ideas
August 25, 2026 (Monterey, CA) — The first pumpkin spice latte may signal the unofficial start of fall, but there’s a bottle of Chardonnay ready to join it.
Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay returns this fall following two successful years and growing consumer demand. What began as an unexpected seasonal release has developed into a recurring fall tradition — one that gives wine permission to participate in the flavors, traditions and excitement consumers already embrace across food, beverage and lifestyle.
“Wine doesn’t always need to create the cultural moment,” said Ryan Sigala, Brand Manager at Scheid Family Wines. “Sometimes the opportunity is simply to join one that already matters to people. Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay has shown us that consumers are open to experiencing wine in a way that feels fresh, approachable and fun.”
For Scheid, that success points to a larger opportunity around seasonal flavors. According to the Mintel Global New Products Database, 69% of 153 tracked food and beverage subcategories offered at least one seasonal or limited-edition flavor in 2025. Wine has largely remained rooted in more traditional cues, giving Scheid an opportunity to explore wines connected to the seasons and occasions consumers already celebrate.
That thinking led to Festive Vines, a new national brand launching this year with Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay. The brand gives Scheid a platform to explore new seasonal flavors, limited releases and retailer collaborations.
“We feel like we’re at the beginning of something with a lot of room to grow,” added Sigala. “Consumers already think seasonally across many parts of their lives. Festive Vines gives us a chance to explore what happens when wine starts doing the same.”
Pumpkin spice may have been the first flavor on the calendar, but it won’t be the last. This holiday season, Scheid will be testing a Peppermint Bark Red Blend as a private-label offering for Total Wine & More.
“We start with really good wine first, then build the seasonal flavors around it,” said Casey Di Cesare, Winemaker at Scheid Family Wines. “The goal is to create something fun and unexpected that still tastes like a wine you want to drink.” Pumpkin Spice Chardonnay returns this fall to Trader Joe’s and Total Wine & More, while expanding under the new Festive Vines brand to World Market, H-E-B, Meijer, Safeway in Northern California, and Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions in Southern California. The limited seasonal release will be available while supplies last.
About Scheid Family Wines
Scheid Family Wines, a family-owned and operated wine company for over 50 years, is ranked among the top 25 largest wine producers in the United States. Based in Monterey County, California, Scheid is vertically integrated to bring high quality estate grown wines to the marketplace from its sustainably and organically certified vineyards, and grower partners throughout the Central Coast. Scheid’s innovative, luxury-level winery is 100% powered by renewable wind energy generated by a 400-foot-tall wind turbine, which also supplies energy to the local community. The Scheid Family Wines globally distributed brand portfolio includes Scheid Vineyards, Sunny with a Chance of Flowers, VDR (Very Dark Red), Fog & Light, Metz Road, District 7, and Ryder Estate. Scheid Family Wines sells internationally to over 30 countries and is one of the largest producers of premium exclusive brands.
Please visit www.scheidfamilywines.com for more information
