People
The Top Wines to Gift This Holiday Season, According to Industry Experts
Choosing the perfect holiday gift can often feel overwhelming, though in most circumstances, wine is always a solid go-to. However, knowing which bottle to gift is key—and our experts know a thing or two about selecting the perfect pick. Whether seeking a Secret Santa bottle or shopping for the trickiest person on your list, our team’s got a few ideas. Check out which bottles our Sommsation crew will be gifting this holiday season here.
“For a gift exchange, I’d bring the SAMsARA Zotovich Vineyard Syrah. It's super bold, crowd-pleasing, and a great value for the quality. People also naturally want to pair reds with meat and this wine goes great with all of it!” — Jaiven Smith, Creative Designer
“Cab Franc is my favorite variety, and it is still a grape many aren't familiar with, so I love to show it to people. I'd take the Andis Wines 2023 Cabernet Franc; this bottle is super delicious, and is a fantastic value for its price.” — Lindsay Koblitz, Sommelier
“A bottle of bubbles is fantastic as a crowd pleaser and easy hit—everyone loves bubbles, but not everyone drinks white or red. Adelsheim's Blanc de Blanc is a great move.” — Joe Pfeifer, E-commerce Director
“Any SOM bottle works for me! Their labels are distinctive, and I find that bottles with unique designs make memorable gifts.” — Crystal Langley, Vice President of Design & Creative
“I’ve developed a real taste for Grenache lately, so I’d probably bring a bottle that highlights it—either Le Chant du Loup Rouge from Domaine de la Cavalière or the Spear Vineyard Grenache from SAMsARA Wine Co. Both are reliably expressive and always a pleasure to open.” — Jacob Unger, Order Fulfillment Specialist
“When it comes to gifting wine, it’s always a bit of a shot in the dark—but if I’ve learned anything, it’s that people are creatures of habit, so I love gifting bottles that my friends or family likely haven’t tried yet. Something like the 2023 Grenache Blanc from Halter Ranch or the 2022 Langhe Nebbiolo DOC from Cascina Le Doti!” — Maddy Schaeffer, Associate Marketing Manager
“For a gift exchange, I would bring the Willow Creek GSM, because of the 34 different wines I have had from our site, this one is my favorite!” — Joey Lamugsa, Product Manager
“December holiday parties are all about celebration with family and friends, so I always go heavy on the bubbles! I am a big fan of Brut Rose from different regions and producers. My current go-tos are Amista Vineyards NV Brut Nature Rosé Sparkling Syrah, Adelsheim Sparkling Brut Rosé 2019, and Hawk & Horse Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Sparkling Rosé 2021.” —Lauren Magee, Chief Product Officer
“I love the Bici Red Blend, as it's my favorite bottle from Clif Family Winery; there’s also a 3-Bottle Gift Pack that also includes the Bici… an added bonus!” — Paul Sutter, Senior Vice President of Digital Product
From our Sommsation family to yours, we wish you a joyful (and wine-filled) holiday season!
