Trying to find the perfect holiday gifts can put a damper on the spirit of the season. Once I figured out that wine was the best gift for almost everyone on my list, the holidays got a lot easier. Still not convinced? Let me share some ideas with you!

Business to Business Gifts

How many boxes of chocolates or gift baskets can one person receive and really appreciate? Yet receiving more than one bottle of wine is something we welcome! Did you know that most wineries can take your gift list, write the enclosed note and ship the gift of wine directly to your list of business associates? How could that be simpler?

Here are a few visual ideas:

Bricoleur Vineyards mixed case Holiday Gift Pack
Bricoleur Vineyards Mixed Case Holiday Gift Pack
Dry Creek Vineyard's Holiday Gift Box with a vertical of Old Vine Zinfandel
Dry Creek Vineyard’s Holiday Wooden Gift Box with a Vertical of Old Vine Zinfandel
Korbel California Champagne's holiday ad with people holding champagne flutes for a toast
Celebrate with Korbel California Champagne!
Pedroncelli Winery's holiday 2022 two-bottle gift box
Pedroncelli Winery’s Holiday Two-Bottle Gift Box
Pedroncelli Winery's holiday 2022 three-bottle gift box
Pedroncelli Winery’s Holiday Three-Bottle Gift Box
Hartford Family Winery's Pinot Lover Gift Set
Hartford Family Winery’s Pinot Lover Gift Set
J. Cage Cellars 3-bottle set with a Sauvignon Blanc and two Pinot Noirs
J. Cage Cellars 3-Bottle Gift Set Entitled Russian River Delights

Thank You Gifts

Each year the list of those you want to thank for being a part of your life grows, yet what to give them leaves you perplexed. Try wine!

How about a bottle of Gewürztraminer for the dog walker, Malbec for the various delivery people, Pinot Noir for the housecleaner (mine loves Pinot!) and a Sangiovese for the gardener. Not sure what they’d like? Ask them if they enjoy wine, and if the answer is yes, then find out what varietal or blend they enjoy most. When you find out, write it down in their contact information so you have it for this year and future reference. Trust me, this has made my gift giving so much simpler and the recipients are thrilled.

A Gift for the Host

When attending a gathering or dinner party, bring a bottle of wine as the gift for your host and you’ll be the favorite guest. Your host has the option of sharing it at the gathering or tucking it away to enjoy later. I’ve been to many dinners and parties where if I hadn’t brought a bottle or two, we’d have run out of wine before the night was over. So, be sure to bring something you like too for you may be enjoying it as well.

Friends and Family

When it comes to our friends and family, everyone loves wine and over the years I’ve jotted down peoples’ favorites. Each holiday season I’m able to give or ship them something I know they will love.

For some, a gift of a wine club membership for the coming year is perfect. Just contact the winery and they’ll set it up for you. It’s a great year-long gift and a way to remind them you care well past the holiday season.

Sharing a new favorite wine find, a limited production, or an unusual varietal or blend works well for the adventurous wine lovers on your gift list. So many wineries along the Wine Road offer just what you’re looking for. Check out the wines at ACORN, Ramazzotti or Frick if you want limited production plus unusual varietals or blends. They offer both white and red wines that fit the limited production and usual varietals or blends category. But don’t stop with those three wineries, there are dozens more to choose from.

Stocking Stuffers

Giving half (375ml) bottles as stocking stuffers brings a smile to everyone’s face. There is something fun about the half-size bottles, and they fit well in a smaller space, like a stocking hanging from the mantle. I’ve been known to leave one in my mailbox for the person who delivers my mail in rain or shine.

Alexander Valley Vineyards offers four half bottles—Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon—plus a Happy Hour two-bottle package. Many of the wineries along the Wine Road offer their dessert or port-like wines in half bottles as well. Pedroncelli’s Four Grape Port, Trentadue’s Chocolate Amore Port, and Carol Shelton’s Black Magic Late Harvest Zin come to mind as three terrific dessert wines in 375ml bottles.

Alexander Valley Vineyards Happy Hour Pack featuring two 375ml bottles
Alexander Valley Vineyards Happy Hour Pack featuring two 375ml bottles
Carol Shelton Wine's Black Magic Late Harvest Zinfandel
Carol Shelton Wine’s Black Magic Late Harvest Zinfandel

Again, these are just a few examples of the half bottle offerings from the wineries along the Wine Road.

Make a Magnum Statement

Now if you really want to show someone you care, the gift of a Magnum (1.5L) will do the trick. Some wineries even have 3L bottles available for sale. Peterson Winery and Dry Creek Vineyards currently have 10 different magnums available for sale on their websites, several of them coveted library wines.

This is the time to explore your favorite winery’s online shopping cart, or give them a call to see if they might be releasing magnums for the holiday season. While you’re there, check out any gift offerings they may have, too.

Holiday Spirit

This holiday season make your gift shopping easier and keep everyone’s spirits bright with the perfect holiday gift—wine!

Happy Sipping!

Five hands toasting with glasses of red wine with blurred Christmas lights and a table setting in the background.

Posted by Rebecca Germolus

Rebecca Germolus, co-owner of Maximum Value Marketing, loves Sonoma County and playing along the Wine Road. Rebecca daily immerses herself in wine country by providing cost-effective marketing and writing solutions to wineries and restaurants.