End of year pairings

There’s a particular feeling that settles in during the final stretch of the year. Not quite celebration, not quite collapse. More like a long exhale waiting to happen.

Between school schedules, travel, markets, quiet mornings, loud dinners, and the strange elasticity of holiday time, rest can look wildly different for each of us. So instead of telling you how to close out the year, I wanted to offer something softer: a few thoughtful pairings for whatever your R+R week looks like.

✨ New Year’s Eve, the classic ritual

If your New Year’s Eve includes clinking glasses, shared plates, or a room full of people you love, a bubbly still feels right. Joyus Sparkling Wine is that classic, generous pour—bright, celebratory, and easy to share. It honors the ritual without asking anything extra of you, the kind of bottle that feels just as good poured for two as it does for twelve.

🕯 New Year’s Eve, solo or intimate

For a quieter New Year’s Eve—candles, a beautiful meal, maybe an early bedtime—the details tend to matter more. Zeronimo Sparkling Select, in its smaller 375 ml format, is bone-dry, elegant, and deeply satisfying. With notes of roasted almonds, crème brûlée, brioche, and a mineral finish, it feels intentional rather than performative. It’s perfect for a solo night, an intimate dinner, or any moment that doesn’t need to be loud to feel special. Serve it cold, in a proper glass, with something salty and thoughtful alongside it.

🎉 Social celebration, bring the buzz

If your plans lean social and you want to feel open, connected, and present, there are a few bottles designed to bring the buzz without the blur. Curious Elixirs No. 9, featuring South African kanna often described as “nature’s MDMA,” is bright, playful, and made for conversation. Artet’s low-dose THC aperitif, with ginger, cardamom, and grapefruit, offers a gentle lift that feels just right for dancing, laughing, and still waking up clear the next morning.

🎨 New Year’s Day, locking into creative mode

For the day after—the notebooks out, the house quiet, the feeling of okay, what’s next?

Brez Low-Dose THC Spirit with Lion’s Mane pairs beautifully with visioning, writing, organizing, or letting ideas land without pressure.

🍊 Feeling curious? Try your hand at NA mixology

If staying home and making something feels grounding, our cocktail kits are designed to be intuitive rather than fussy.

The Last Glowing Ember—made with Little Saints St. Ember, mango habanero syrup, and Love Potion bitters—comes together as a light, functional sour that feels festive without tipping into chaos.

🌱 Ready to drink less after the holidays

If January is calling for less, not nothing, we’ve stocked minis and sample sizes of many favorites so you can mix, match, and explore without committing to a full bottle while you find your rhythm again.

🕰 Holiday hours + a gentle planning note

With the shape of the holiday week, the bottle shop will be open Saturday and Sunday, and then Wednesday (New Year’s Eve) until 5pm. If you’re hoping to grab something before ringing in the new year, those are the moments to plan around. After Wednesday afternoon, we’ll be closed until regular hours resume.

Once the holiday week passes, we’ll be back to our usual schedule at the bottle shop inside the Self Care Marketplace in downtown Raleigh: Wednesday–Thursday 11–7, Friday–Saturday 11–8, and Sunday 11–5. Same-day delivery is available within 30 miles of downtown Raleigh on days the shop is open.

✨ Looking just ahead

As we ease into the new year, I’m excited to share that we’ll be back to making custom cocktails—again with Maeve by Anthropologie in the Village District. On Monday, January 5th, we’ll be serving two custom Maeve drinks featuring Figlia Sole and Three Spirit Social Love XXX from 5–7pm. Maeve will also be hosting a conversation with their design team about the store itself. This is the first standalone Maeve store in the country, and the Anthropologie team put exceptional care into every detail of the space. If you love design, hospitality, and thoughtful drinks, you’re warmly invited to join us.

A personal note

I’m nearing what feels like the end of a rollercoaster month. Between big vendor markets—from Moore Square Winterfaire to Handcrafted Holiday Market—thousands of familiar and new faces, and a wacky but fun kid schedule, it’s been full in all the ways. I’m grateful for a quick breath now, slowing down where I can, and letting the year close gently before it opens again.

However you’re closing the year—we’re here for it.

XO, Meg