The Wine Lover’s Holiday Gift Guide
Author:Annette HanamiWine Country Editor at Large, Annette Hanami, shares the perfect holiday finds for the wine lover who travels or entertains. These unique gift ideas bring the flavors, look and memories of Wine Country back home. Think edibles for locavores, hand-crafted wares and an inspiring look-book for that next modern design destination.
Amanda Wright Pottery Carafe – $80
Handmade in Napa, I love the sheer simplicity of Amanda Wright’s versatile, drip-shy vessels for wine, water, flowers or decor that fit beautifully on any table setting. The glazed stoneware comes in calming neutrals like wintry white, Celery, Robyn’s Egg Blue and Black. Select the bottles ($56-64) or the carafe with a more rounded bottom ($80) for decanting. Available at select Bay Area retailers and online.
The New Vingardevalise™ Piccolo Wine Luggage That Doubles as a Non-Wine Carry-on – $249
I love this compact 5-bottle hard-sided spinner because of its versatility: One side for wine, the other for clothes, or remove either of the 2-bottle or 3-bottle foam inserts to create even more room for personal items. Without the wine and inserts, it’s a go-to carry-on or companion piece for your Vingardevalise 12-bottle Grande and 8-bottle Petite rolling suitcases for those longer wine excursions.
Baccarat and JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset Crystal Stemware Set – $390 a pair
This is the first time that 255-year French crystal maison Baccarat has collaborated with a vintner for custom stemware. I love it because it combines beauty with precision design to elevate the aromas and taste in wine.
The signature diamond shape on the stems of the wineglass set ($390 set) and separate wine decanter ($860) signifies for vintner Jean Charles Boisset, the “diamonds” that grow on the vine and find ultimate expression in the glass.
Thomas Keller and Armando Manni K + M Extravirgin Chocolate Holiday Gift Box – $49.95
Pro-holiday and anti-oxidant, I’m loving this holiday gift pack of extravirgin chocolate by Chef Thomas Keller and lux extravirgin olive oil producer Armando Manni, made locally in Napa by chocolatier Chi Bui. Think holiday flavors including Dark Peppermint or Milk Winter Spice Bar with notes of allspice and citrus. Give this gift with a bottle of local Cabernet to make it triple anti-oxidant. Available online and in select gourmet food stores.
“Wine and Cheese” Ice Cream from Domaine Carneros and Humphry Slocombe – $9 a pint
Three superlocal favorites and makers combine their talents for the ultimate wine and cheese pairing. Known for it’s creative mashups of flavors and brands, Humphry Slocombe presents Wine & Cheese, a delicious, limited edition ice cream made with Sonoma creamery Laura Chenel Original Chef’s Chevre swirled with Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir Sorbet. Available to order as part of the Holiday Cheers 6-pint gift pack on Goldbelly or celebrate the season in Wine Country and purchase a pint to-go at Domaine Carneros through the end of the year.
Book: The New Architecture of Wine by Heather Hebert – $60
The New Architecture of Wine by design professional Heather Hebert showcases 25 modern designs that interpret the terroir, history and values of California vintners through stunning photography and in-depth interviews with the architects, allowing readers to gain a deeper understanding behind the wines they love.
Graf Lantz Cozy Wine Carrier – $39
These naturally insulating, water- and stain-resistant merino wool felt wine bottle carriers are timeless in style and at home in any casual or Michelin restaurant. They also make a hostess wine gift enduring. Designed and made by Graf Lantz in LA, they come in various single and duo bottle styles, in a range of colorfast hues.
Round Pond Estate Olive Oil Gift Set – $99
A family-owned Rutherford winery established over 35 years ago, Round Pond Estate is a winemaker, grower and farmer with nearly 500 acres of vineyards, orchards, gardens and olive oil production, one of only two local wineries that mill their own olive oil from estate orchards. For the food lover, Round Pond assembles a variety of gourmet gift sets of their estate-made infused olive oils, vinegars, syrups and Rutherford Cabernet.
For the host and hostess, this standalone vertical and compact bar by BDI fits a lot of entertaining in a small space, with wine bottle and stemware racks, side shelving and drawer for accessories. A low-maintenance Carrara porcelain panel and auto LED illumination makes this bar elegant yet practical as both serving and work station. At select retailers.
