TL;DR: This year, don’t overthink it: give wine gifts for Christmas! It’s that time of year; the time where we scramble to figure out how to best show our friends, family members, bosses and co-workers how much we appreciate them.
So, let’s get right to it, you’re here because you’re asking yourself: Is wine a good gift for Christmas? Absolutely, 100% YES! And now for the next logical question: what is a good wine for a Christmas gift? The answer?
Easy-drinking, lighter-bodied wines that go well with everything from a good Netflix binge to your favorite cheeses and charcuterie boards.
This wine gift guide features all low-intervention wines from independent, family-owned California winemakers, so you’re not just giving a great gift, you’re also supporting a small business. And, if you need some help writing a little note on your gift card, stop by this post on 150+ Wine Captions for Instagram to get those creative juices flowing!
Broc Cellars: For Adventurous Sippers
I finally tried Broc Cellars wines, and I know you’re going to love them as much as I do. Broc Cellars offers a few holiday wine packs, but if I had to choose just one it would be the Chilly Christmas pack ($92). This trio checks all of the boxes for: you’ve got a Ramato style wine in the form of a Grenache Gris, a chillable red wine with the 2022 Sogi, and an orange wine (AKA a skin contact wine).
A close second is the Mystic Broc Pack ($102). With this Christmas wine gift you’re giving the wine lover in your life a wine gift set that includes unique grape varieties that are hard to find, an orange wine made with Tocai Friulano, Trebbiano, Ribolla Gialla, and a chillable red, glou glou style wine.
Take a look at all of the gift sets here.
Pax Wines: The Perfect Palate Pleasers
I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t enjoy winemaker Pax Mahle’s beautifully crafted California wines. Pax made a name for himself with his Syrahs, but for my money, the winery’s Brights Box ($125) is the perfect solution to figuring out what wine gifts for Christmas you should buy. This gift set comes with one of my favorite bottles: the Pax Trousseau Gris from Fanucchi-Woods Rd. I LOVE this clean, crisp Ramato wine. Also included is the Pax Vermentino (delicious!), and a Chenin Blanc. Wine gifts for Christmas don’t get better than that!
Check out all of the holiday wine options here.
Las Jaras: Chillable Reds for Everyone this Christmas
I can’t get enough of that glou glou wine from Las Jaras, so you know this gift guide would include some of Joel Burt and Eric Wareheim’s famous low-intervention, natural wines. This winery has tons of gift options.
The Waves Canned Wine 6-Pack ($59) would be great for someone who enjoys sipping outdoors and doesn’t want to deal with glass bottles (I’m looking at your picnic lovers, summer BBQ grill masters, and water worshiping pool loungers!).
The Chillz Pack ($139) includes six easy-drinking options for those that like light, refreshing wines, and the Wine-Heim ($175) has a little of everything, from the Las Jaras Glou Glou to the Superbloom, and a Rosato and Rose!
Check out all of the gifts here.
Matthiasson Wine: Wine Gift Sets from the Master
If you like the sound of single vineyard wines from the master of low intervention, organic wines, then Matthiasson’s gift sets should be your go-to gift. This year’s Wine Gift Set ($175) includes the 2020 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Michael Mara Vineyard and the 2020 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, Dead Fred Vineyard. Bottles come in a festive holiday gift box for an elegant presentation.
Need a splurgy gift? Give an extra special someone a year’s subscription to the Matthiasson Wine Club. This is the only way to gain access to super limited releases like the Matthiasson Falanghina (oh, man, I really want to try this bottle!) and the Schioppettino.
Donkey & Goat: Wine Gifts for Christmas Made Easy
Wine gifts for Christmas don’t get any easier than a few bottles of bubbly, and Donkey & Goat Winery has a killer two-pack available this holiday season! I mean, who doesn’t love bubbles?! This year’s Two-Bottle Sparkling Pack ($79) comes with Lily’s Pet Nat, a Sparkling Chardonnay from Anderson Valley, and a Ramato Pet Nat.
Wine lovers who like exploring unique grape varieties will jump for joy when they receive the Adventurous Palate Pack ($99) with Pinot Pét Nat, Skinny Dip Grenache, and a natural California Cabernet Pfeffer.
Shop all of the winery’s Christmas wine gifts here.
Cobb Wines: Coastal Pinot Noir & Chardonnay for Christmas
Whenever I see a bottle of Cobb Wines, the first thing I think is: why don’t I drink more of these Sonoma Coast Pinot Noirs and Mendocino Rieslings? They are sooooo good! These wines are elegant, ethereal, and guaranteed to impress. The hardest thing about giving the gift of Cobb Wines? You might find yourself buying a few extra bottles for a treat yourself gift!