This is probably one of my favorite blog posts to write annually. Why? Because it’s an excuse to share some of my favorite brands with YOU and help you at the same time with your holiday gifting needs! I don’t know about you but when I drink wine, there’s usually food around so I this year’s Wine Guide also includes some great foodie gifts as well!
Gary Farrell Winery
Those of you who thought that Gary Farrell Winery only made Chardonnay & Pinot Noir (including me) will be pleasantly surprised with this fabulous Holiday Gift Set Trio, including a beautiful sampling of Gary Farrell Single Vineyard Chardonnay Pinot Noir and Zinfandel. For the wine lover in your life this is perfect, a little bit of everything.
JourneyMan Meat Co.
Ever since I met Peter & Cathy Seghesio who own JourneyMan Meat Co. I fell in love. Not only because they’re the most down to earth and approachable couple, but because they’re producing stellar culinary & wine out of their JourneyMan Meat Co. retailer in downtown Healdsburg. After tasting their salamis I immediately joined the salami club which means every quarter I receive two Salami’s which are great for gifting, or for enjoying yourself! Shop their lovely wines and salami’s online here.
The stunning packaging the Solami’s come in. As a Salami member (which I am). Learn more and join their salami club online here.
Pete & Cathy Seghesio at their downtown Healdsburg JourneyMan Salumeria. Read more about Journeyman Meat Co on the blog here!
Round Pond Estate
One of the first wineries I ever visited when I moved to San Francisco from New York was Round Pond. I immediately loved their wines as well as all the other culinary additions they offer guests such as Olive Oils grown at their Napa Vineyard and amazing cocktail sets. This year I partnered with Round Pond Estate for this gift guide and was thrilled to learn about all the amazing gift sets they offer. Some of my favorites are below!
And as a JSF reader use the code JSF for $10 flat shipping on all orders. Or if you prefer to order through the Round Pond Concierge, email Christinam@RoundPond.com for Concierge assistance.
See all of their gifting sets on their website here.
The white and red wine set is a gift set I adore, perfect for someone in your life who enjoys both red wine and red wine! Shop online here.
The Olive Oils also make perfect gifts for the foodie in your life. Who can’t always find a way to use olive oil whether on your salad, entertaining or cooking. Find the Signature Olive Oil & Balsamic Set online here.
Flourish Chocolate by Chocolatier Chef Holly Peterson
When I think of gifting, Chocolate is always a part of what I hope to receive. As a kid (and still as an adult) my Dad has been gifting my family Fannie May Chocolates (gotta love the midwesterners) for years. It is a ritual for Christmas, birthdays and gifting occasion. So when I learned about Flourish a Calistoga Chocolate Company I was thrilled to try their beautiful AND delicious chocolates and recommend them to you!
“At Flourish Chocolate we use only the purest and simple ingredients; being organic and fair trade are at the top of the list. We are passionate about quality, and use nothing but the best. Our exquisite chocolates are hand-made and hand-painted by Chocolatier Chef Holly Peterson in Calistoga, Napa Valley, CA.” Shop Flourish Chocolate online here.
Frank Family Wines
Another great family-owned Winery I learned about years ago during a Napa Vintners weekend is Frank Family Wines. This Winery produces both Napa Valley varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon AND Burgundian varietals (my favorite, you know) including Pinot Noir & Chardonnay. They have some fabulous gift sets on their website here, one of which I think is perfect is the Napa Valley Classic including a Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon. Shop more of their wines here.
Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company
As you probably know by now, I love cheese and had the privilege of getting to know the entire Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese assortment this fall when they were my Cheese Sponsor for Pinots & PLaid, the luxury Pinot Noir Tasting I held in October in San Francisco. Read more about Pinots & Plaid here. Anyway, this family-owned local California brand makes some of my the most delicious cheeses and I’m hooked! So what’s a more perfect gift than cheese for the foodie in your life. They have the coolest curated gift sets. Below are two of my favorites! Shop all of the Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company Gifts online here.
The Big Cheese gift set ($140) purchase online here
The Crowd pleaser gift set ($120) purchase online here
Valette Wines
Valette Wines are a fairly new project from my friend, Chef Dustin Valette of Valette Healdsburg. What I’m most excited about these wines are the varieties, Pinot Noir (my favorite), Rose of Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Also what’s super cool and fun is that the winemaker is different for each varietal. The Pinot Noir is made by acclaimed Winemaker Bob Cabral, read more about Bob here, and the Cabernet Sauvignon is made by Winemaker Jesse Katz. Now not only can guests enjoy amazing food from Chef Dustin Valette, at Valette Restaurant but also incredible wines. It’s the perfect pairing. Learn more and purchase Valette Wines online here.
Lady Falcon Coffee Club
Lady Falcon Coffee Club is a brand I’ve written about quite a bit and not only because I love their delicious coffee products but I love everything about them! The branding (lots of pink which I adore), their story and most recently after getting to know their San Francisco born founder, Buffy Maguire I am even more obsessed with this brand. You can purchase their delicious coffee online on their website here or at Williams Sonoma, Anthropology online, Good Eggs, Bi-Rite and more! Trust me it’s the best!
“Our name Lady Falcon Coffee Club is a respectful nod to an era in San Francisco Ocean Beach history. In the 1880’s, an impromptu neighborhood of abandoned streetcars on Judah Street became “Carville-by-the-Sea.” Carville housed many a freethinker. The Falcon Ladies Bicycling Club was one of the first cars in the bunch and helped shape the legend of Carville.”
Their beautifully packaged and delightfully tasting Lady Falcon Coffee!
Bucher Wines
Another brand I adore making stunning Russian River Pinot Noir Wines is Bucher Wines. You can visit them in the beautiful Grand Cru Custom Crush and for the rest of 2019 they’re offering a 2 for 1 or 4 for 2 tasting encouraging folks to plan a trip to Sonoma! Use the code: SIPSONOMA for a tasting for 2 valued at $50 only $25. Or even better, a tasting for 8 (valued at $200, $25 per person) for only $100. Book your visit online here.
Wines of Washington
For the wine lover in your life who wants something a little unexpected, I suggest you gift them wines from Washington. Below are a few wines that I’ve tried and enjoyed so be sure to check out Washington Wines when you’re thinking of your holiday wine gifting this year!
What do you think?