The Legend Returns: Why Frosty Fifty is the ultimate holiday wine
Every winter, long after the last holiday lights came down and a chill settled over the Duplin Estate vineyards, the calls, emails, and tasting room inquiries kept rolling in: "When is Frosty coming back?"
Originally introduced in 2019 as Frosty Frolic, this beloved holiday blush quickly became a seasonal obsession. Its bright pink hue, fruit-forward sweet profile, and effortless festive charm made it a staple of Duplin lovers’ winter celebrations. But like many limited-run favorites, it disappeared quickly, leaving fans to reminisce about winters past.
A golden milestone call
As Duplin Winery approached its 50th anniversary in 2026, the winemaking team began looking back over half a century of shared memories, milestones, and customer favorites. When brainstorming how to celebrate five decades of family winemaking, one question kept surfacing: What holiday wine do our Heritage Club members and seasonal wine enthusiasts miss the most?
The answer was unanimous.
To honor Duplin's golden jubilee in 2026, the winery brought the fan-favorite blush out of retirement, giving it a commemorative new title: Frosty Fifty. The name is a nod to wine’s past and this milestone year.
"We hear from our Heritage family and Duplin fans constantly about what they love, and the passion for this specific seasonal wine never faded," Duplin co-owner Jonathan Fussell said. "Bringing it back as Frosty Fifty felt like the best way to toast our history alongside the people who built it."
Frosty Fifty is available exclusively while it lasts during the 2026 holiday season. Secure your bottles early, pour a glass, and raise a toast.
How to enjoy this ultimate holiday pour
Beyond its sentimental return, Frosty Fifty is crafted to be the showstopper for winter hosting. With its sugar-plum sweet Muscadine notes and smooth finish, it bridges the gap between holiday brunch sipping and joyful evening gatherings.
Whether you're hosting a cocktail party, lively family dinner or unwinding by the firepit after a long week, here's how to make the most of your Frosty Fifty stash this season:
Ice it down: Serve Frosty Fifty well-chilled, around 38 to 45 degrees to let its candied-fruit aromas pop.
Snow-capped wine slushie: Blend Frosty 50 with Duplin Jolly Juice Sweetzer mix, and use frozen strawberries instead of ice cubes in your blender. Pour into frosted glasses and top off with eggnog and a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
RECIPE: Extra Jolly Juice
Set the scene: Pour Frosty Fifty over crushed ice in stemless glasses for casual gatherings, or dress it up with a festive garnish like candied orange wheels, sugared sprigs of rosemary, or frozen cranberries dropped right into the glass for a vibrant splash of color.
All the holiday nibbles: Frosty Fifty’s sweet profile adores the season’s favorite party nibbles. Try it with thinly sliced glazed ham on sweet potato biscuits, maple-roasted butternut squash skewers drizzled with aged balsamic, little salami roses tucked inside dates, roast turkey salad with dried cranberries, spiced nuts, and creamy Swedish meatballs with a hint of nutmeg.
The ultimate icebreaker: Position a chilled bottle on your entryway bar cart or drink station. The surfing snowman label is a guaranteed conversation starter as guests arrive.
