‘Tis the season…to be at a loss for what to bring as a host(ess) gift! When in
question, the answer is always wine. Versatile and chic, a good bottle of wine
makes a beautiful thank you gift to those opening their home for the holidays, or
to anyone else (21 and over, of course) for that matter. Here are some excellent
options that are made in a sustainable manner for every price point.

FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS 2016 ‘SEVEN TWENTY EIGHT’ PINOT NOIR, STA. RITA HILLS
A truly inspired expression of the terroir in Sta. Rita Hills, this Pinot is for those who like their wines delicate and delicious. It exudes flavors of black cherry and wild berries but is tempered by notes of herbs and toasted spices. $48

SILVER TRIDENT 2019 TWENTY SEVEN FATHOMS CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY
Aptly named, given that the wine’s founder is also the co-founder of Oceania Cruises. Enjoy every beautiful sip, which will burst with blueberry jam, black tea, allspice, plums, and even a bit of mocha. $95

DOMAINE CARNEROS 2018 BLANC DE NOIR, NAPA VALLEY
This party in a flute opens with sweet, cooked pears and melon before transitioning to yummy notes of green apples. It gets creamier as it is enjoyed, offering kisses of white cherry and lychee fruit. $42

GARY FARRELL WINERY 2021 PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER SELECTION
A quintessential Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, the aromatics of rose, boysenberry jam, and cherry cordial are heavenly, rivaled only by the juicy blast of blood orange, sour cherry, and raspberry on the palate. $45

ROMBAUER 2018 PROPRIETOR’S SELECTION CABERNET SAUVIGNON, NAPA VALLEY
Lush and lovely, this polished take on California Cabernet brings together plum, blackberry, black cherry, baking spices, cedar, and even vanilla in perfect harmony. $150

HANDWRITTEN 2018 CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CARNEROS
One of the rarest bottles available from the acclaimed Handwritten Wines, it is brightly acidic yet smooth on the finish with a dizzyingly delicious combination of white cherries and black pepper. $120

FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA 2019 RESERVE PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
The deep garnet color is breathtaking, but it’s just the beginning. Upon opening, a perfume of blackberry slowly seeps from the bottle, and when tasting it, it is impossible to miss the avalanche of red fruit in every sip. $50

NICKEL & NICKEL 2019 KENEFICK RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CALISTOGA
Remember the oddly satisfying smell of the shavings right after sharpening one’s pencil? It sounds crazy, but this wine offers slight notes of those shavings along with the aroma of a cigar box. To the taste, however, black cherry and chocolate completely take over. $160

RAM’S GATE 2019 ESTATE PINOT NOIR, SONOMA
This exquisite expression opens with a nose of blood orange and chocolate. The combination gives a very regal impression. To the taste, the citrus and chocolate give way to a bit of red fruit, followed by waves of earth, oak, and spice. $85

REYNA NORIEGA 2021 RED WINE BLEND, NAPA VALLEY
This is a limited-edition offering from Clif Family Winery and award-winning visual artist Reyna Noriega. Meant to awe from the label to the last sip, this beautiful blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petite Sirah, is from the organically farmed Valle di Sotto vineyard in Napa Valley. $50

ONEHOPE KOSHER RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ST. HELENA
Thanks to a flash-pasteurization process that follows the mevushal method, this Cabernet is 100% kosher, and the black cherry here is exceptionally tasty whether keeping kosher or not. $100

CASS 2019 GRENACHE, PASO ROBLES
An easy drinker if ever there was one, enjoy the taste of sweet cherries, almond, strawberries, itsy bitsy kisses of anise, white pepper, and even cedar. Perfect for friends newer to enjoying red wines. $26

ADELAIDA 2019 PINOT NOIR HMR ESTATE VINEYARD, PASO ROBLES
Black truffle notes in a Pinor Noir? Yes, that is really among the ingredients one will taste with this old vine varietal, pairing with notes of black cherry, raspberry, and Asian spice in complete harmony. $60

RODNEY STRONG VINEYARDS 2018 RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON, ALEXANDER VALLEY
Each vintage year, this wine is made from the best Strong grapes across its Sonoma County vineyards. This particular expression has a lovely nose of violets and palate of black currant, vanilla, and cocoa. $60

FEL 2018 SPARKLING BRUT, SAVOY VINEYARD, ANDERSON VALLEY
This vintage marks the award-winning winery’s first foray into bubbles. The result? An unabashed triumph that blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay following the traditional méthode champenoise. $75

PAPAPIETRO PERRY 2020 NUNES VINEYARD PINOT NOIR, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY
A stunner from Sonoma County’s esteemed Russian River Valley, this Pinot will absolutely impress even the most discerning wine drinker on the gift list with its winter spices — especially cinnamon — as well as its cherry, raspberry, and hints of clove. $66

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