Finding a gift for the knowledgeable oenophile on your list can be tricky—especially when he/she already has a cellar full of collectible wines, stemware, and gadgets galore. Scouting for something truly novel is key. Here, we uncover some over-the-top holiday gift finds sure to dazzle even the most discriminating wine aficionado:
For The Wine Lover Who Has It All: Simon Family Estate "Double Blessings" Napa Valley Cabernet Duo
This duo of delicious Cabernets is from Napa's newest luxury wine label, Simon Family Estate. The wines (above image) are a collaboration between vintners Sam and Nada Simon and renowned Napa Valley winemaker Maayan Koschitzky (whose resume includes Screaming Eagle and Melka Estates). Each small lot of Simon Family Estate bottling is crafted with exceptional fruit from some of the Napa Valley's preeminent plots, Sleeping Lady, Tench, and Rocca to name a few. With such exceptional fruit in hand, Koschitzky works his magic to craft a stunning portfolio of beautifully expressive wines that are evocative of their pedigreed places. Debuting now are the inaugural releases of their "Double Blessings" Cabs—two distinctly different expressions of Napa Valley Cabernet inspired by the Simons’ twin sons, Michael and Peter: "Michael,” with fruit sourced from cooler sites in Coombsville and Oakville is structured, complex and best revealed over time. "Peter,” made with fruit from warmer sites in Oakville and St. Helena, is robust, approachable and immediately drinkable. The Simon Family Estate Double Blessings wines are sold as a pair for $350. Sign up for the winery's mailing list to receive new release notifications and to purchase the wines.
Or, if you really want to impress your wine lover, surprise him/her with a customizable Founder's Circle membership which ensures access to the full portfolio of limited production Simon Family Estate wines. Membership ranges in price depending on varietals selected: rose/whites only: $660, reds only: $1925, full portfolio: $2585. All memberships confer other benefits as well such as exclusive winery events, member-only releases, and more.
Winemaking Dreams Realized: Make Your Own Wine With Napa's The Wine Foundry
For the serious wine geek with long-held dreams of having their own wine label, Napa's The Wine Foundry has you covered. The custom winery, with state-of-the-art winemaking equipment and an award-winning winemaking team, specializes in small lot, high end wines for individuals (or small groups) using grapes from some of the most prestigious vineyards in California. Your aspiring winemaker can join remotely or in person for a taste of the ultra-premium winemaking experience. Your gift recipient may wish to start at the very beginning, selecting from The Wine Foundry's extensive vineyard and varietal options, designing a custom label, and participating in the final blending session to shape the nuances of the finished wine with a professional winemaker. Or, your lucky giftee might choose to 'adopt' a barrel from a previous vintage to savor the finished wines sooner, while still enjoying a custom label and final blending session. Regardless of entry point, the end result is a world-worthy bottling that stacks up against the very best. Depending on preferences there are a variety of options from which to choose, ranging from $6,000 to $15,000 per barrel of wine made. One of The Wine Foundry's most prestigious offerings is a custom barrel of Single Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon from coveted vineyard properties. Cost: $14,000-15,000 (exclusive of taxes and shipping), with one barrel yielding 24 cases of wine, each case with 12 750 ml bottles.
Goosecross Cellars' The Holly & The Aeros Holiday Gift Pack
Wines that possess a bit of gravitas are always sure to please the die-hard wine connoisseur. Goosecross Cellars' limited-edition 'The Holly & The Aeros Holiday Gift Pack' includes two of the winery's most exceptional vineyard-designated bottlings—the opulent, Holly's Block Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, plus their sublime, State Lane Aeros Napa Valley Bordeaux style red blend made with the winery's best annual blocks and barrel selections. Each deeply expressive wine offers complex flavors and textures that are reflective of their Napa Valley vineyard source, the Goosecross State Lane Vineyard in Yountville. Adding even more holiday lustre, the package also includes an in-person or virtual wine-and-chocolate tasting experience led by a seasoned Goosecross Cellars wine educator, and paired with Yountville's luxurious Kollar Chocolates. Cost: $600 for two people.
Optional: For an additional $1500+, sign-up your wine lover for an annual club membership at the State Lane Club level to receive 18 vineyard-designated State Lane bottles per year, plus numerous other exclusive club benefits including: private winery events, access to special/limited releases, complimentary tastings, flat rate shipping, special pricing with preferred travel partners, and more.
Theorem Vineyards' Table 21: An Exclusive Brunch-Inspired Wine Tasting Experience
If you're looking for a gift with substantial 'wow' power, nothing is quite as compelling as tasting wine at its source—especially when that source is the splendid Theorem Vineyards estate atop Diamond Mountain in Calistoga. The winery's latest, over-the-top wine-culinary offering, 'Table 21,' is an other-worldly tasting experience that pairs the winery's limited production, estate-grown wines, with the finest, brunch-inspired foods. Each sublime taste is meticulously crafted by winery chef Josh Mitchell according to the season and what's fresh and delicious in the Theorem Estate kitchen garden. Depending on the time of year, your plate may be graced with additional highbrow ingredients (many locally sourced) such as oysters, truffles, lobster, caviar, chocolate, Mt. Tam cheeses, Akaushi beef and more. As you sip and taste from your mountainous perch, views of vineyards and mountains surround you. Adding to the ambiance are live musicians who set just the right tone for luxury food and wine enjoyment. Seating for Table 21 is extremely limited, making it one of the most sought after tickets in the Napa Valley. Cost: $500 per person by appointment only. Or, for priority seating, sign up for Theorem's Keepers of the Key Membership with a minimum annual case purchase. Cost: $2000-4000 per year depending on wines selected (you get to choose). Membership offers numerous additional perks, such as priority access to the property and gorgeous new Tasting Barn, special gift deliveries, and access to their new sister property in Montana, Theorem Ranch, coming in 2023. For inquiries contact Info@theoremvineyards.com.
Photos courtesy of each winery
