Super Bowl Sunday brings together our two favorite worlds: football and food. At Three Fat Guys, we believe that great wine belongs everywhere friends gather-especially around a snack-filled table shouting at the TV. Whether you’re putting together a backyard bash, a full house party, or a cozy couch huddle for two, we’re here to help you turn classic Super Bowl snacks into a Sonoma tasting adventure. Drawn from years of pouring for sports fans and food lovers, these wine pairings deliver flavor, fun, and a few crowd-pleasing surprises that will have your guests asking for your secret playbook.
Bring on the Bold: Our Play-By-Play for Super Bowl Snack Wine Pairings
Below, we break down the best game day snacks and how to pair them with some of our favorite bottles, all crafted for friends by friends (and former NFL linemen) right here in wine country.
Nachos, Layered Dip, and Zinfandel-The MVP Combo
Nachos are the ultimate snack for a crowd. The combo of gooey cheese, savory beans, jalapeños, and tomatoes is rich enough to flatten a lesser wine, but not a Sonoma Valley Zinfandel. Our 2022 Zinfandel has enough ripe fruit, spice, and texture to cut through cheese and salsa, keeping every bite balanced.
- Tasting profile: Juicy blackberry, dark cherry, baking spices, peppery finish
- Snack pairing tip: Pile nachos high with the works and add a splash of hot sauce. Zinfandel makes the flavors pop, balancing heat, cheese, and salty toppings.
Buffalo Chicken Wings & Champion Brut Rosé-A Palate Refresher
Few snacks cover the field like hot Buffalo wings. That spicy-tangy flavor will overpower most drinks, but a sparkling rosé takes it play by play. The Champion Brut Rosé is fizzy, zesty, and just dry enough to scrub your tastebuds between bites.
- Tasting profile: Wild strawberries, citrus zest, watermelon, creamy mousse
- Snack pairing tip: Serve wings with blue cheese and celery. Keep Brut Rosé icy cold. The bubbles take on the spice, and the fruit matches that tangy, buttery sauce. Read more about sparkling wine celebrations in our Sonoma Sparkling Wines for Celebration blog.
Pizza Night with Cabernet Sauvignon-For Every Slice
Whether you’re a meat-lovers fan or a pepper-and-mushroom purist, pizza and Cabernet are the classic team-up for a reason. The 2019 Rutherford Napa Cabernet Sauvignon gives you power, velvet tannins, and enough intensity to match the cheese, sauce, and all those crispy toppings.
- Tasting profile: Blackberry jam, cassis, mocha, silky tannins
- Snack pairing tip: Try with pepperoni or sausage if you want a salty, spicy match, or go veggie-heavy if you love contrast with Cabernet’s fruitiness. You can dive deeper into cab pairing knowledge in our Best Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting Sonoma blog.
Pigs in a Blanket & Rosé-Bright and Bite-Sized
Nothing disappears faster at a party than these buttery pastry-wrapped sausages. The snack is salty, flaky, and rich, so choose a wine with acidity and fruit lift. Our 2024 Sonoma Valley Rosé is dry, vibrant, and made for finger foods.
- Tasting profile: Wild strawberry, white raspberry, cantaloupe, crisp finish
- Snack pairing tip: Serve right from the oven, with a side of grainy mustard. Rosé keeps everything light, bright, and ready for another snack pass.
Barbecue Ribs & The Linemen Red Blend-All-Star Power
Game day is not complete without ribs or brisket. The Linemen Red Blend, inspired by our own football roots, is designed for smoky, saucy, meaty mains. Its generosity of fruit and a hint of spice lock arms with every rib, pulling juicy pork and smoky bark into perfect sync with each sip.
- Tasting profile: Dark chocolate, blackberry, espresso, plum, cherry
- Snack pairing tip: Slather ribs with BBQ glaze and let The Linemen handle the flavor rush. Try this with brisket sliders or burnt ends for extra credit.
Chili with Cabernet or Zinfandel-Stands Up to the Competition
Hearty, meaty, full of smokiness and spice, chili is a heavyweight on the snack table. Reach for Cabernet Sauvignon for beefy chili, or Zinfandel for those with extra kick. Both can handle tomato, beans, beef, and toppings galore.
- Tasting profile: Blackberries, cassis, tobacco, cedar, structured tannins
- Snack pairing tip: Spoon chili into cups, top with cheddar. Both Cab and Zin wash down the spice and bring out layers of meat and tomato.
Shrimp Skewers with Sauvignon Blanc-Heroes of Halftime
If your Super Bowl spread leans coastal, grill or roast shrimp skewers and pour a bright Sauvignon Blanc. Our 2023 Indian Springs Ranch Sauvignon Blanc lights up with Meyer lemon, crisp apple, and fresh herbal aromas. It’s unbeatable with citrusy, garlicky shrimp.
- Tasting profile: Meyer lemon, lime, green apple, wet stone
- Snack pairing tip: Squeeze extra lemon over hot shrimp before serving. Sauvignon Blanc keeps things clean, tangy, and ultra-refreshing.
Super Bowl Snack & Wine Pairing Quick Reference Table
| Snack | Pairing Wine | Our Top Pick |
|---|---|---|
| Nachos / Layered Dip | Zinfandel | 2022 Sonoma Valley Zinfandel |
| Buffalo Wings | Brut Rosé (Sparkling) | The Champion Brut Rosé |
| Pizza | Cabernet Sauvignon | 2019 Rutherford Napa Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Pigs in a Blanket | Rosé | 2024 Sonoma Valley Rosé |
| BBQ Ribs / Brisket | Red Blend | 2022 The Linemen Red Blend |
| Chili | Cabernet or Zinfandel | 2021 Sonoma Valley Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Shrimp Skewers | Sauvignon Blanc | 2023 Sonoma Valley Sauvignon Blanc |
Pro Tips for Hosting a Winning Game Day
- Use tumblers or stemless wine glasses. They’re easier to hold and less likely to get knocked over.
- Serve wine at the right temperature.
- Red wines: Slightly cool (60–65°F) to showcase fruit and mellow tannins.
- Whites/Rosé/Sparkling: Chill to 45–50°F for crispness.
- Bottle count tip: For every two adults, budget one bottle per two hours. It’s better to have extra in the fourth quarter than run out early.
- Set up self-serve wine and snack zones. Label snacks, set out napkins, and let guests help themselves for smoother flow and less stress.
- For Sonoma locals or Bay Area visitors: Experience the action at our tasting room. We pour flights and glasses all afternoon, walk-ins welcome, and our team loves to talk football and food.
- Want more game day wine ideas? Check out our dedicated tips in Game Day Wine Pairings Sonoma Style.
The Sonoma Super Bowl Experience: Beyond the Living Room
If you are coming to Sonoma for Super Bowl week or just want to up your tailgate game, our backyard-style tasting room is open daily and ready for groups. Bring your work team, your family, or your old football buddies. We pour everything from Champion Brut Rosé to Cabernet, with new releases, walk-in flights, and food events all season long. See the schedule and tips for dropping by on our walk-in tasting blog.
Ordering & Gifting – Don’t Wait for Overtime
We ship fast across most of the country, but demand spikes every January and February. Order early to guarantee your favorites, and if you want to send a thank-you bottle to your host or a corporate client, explore our easy gifting options and club perks (Corporate Gifting).
Your food is legendary, your wine should be too. Ready to put together a winning lineup? Shop our current wines and let us handle the rest. Touchdowns are optional, but tasty memories are guaranteed!