Lifestyle
17 Unique Gift Ideas for Wine Lovers Who Have Everything
November 14, 2023
Giving the Gift of Taste and Experience
Wine collectors often, by definition, know what they love, and it can be intimidating to buy a gift that you’re confident they’ll connect with. But wine aficionados—both new and seasoned—love nothing more than to be given a truly novel gift that speaks to their passion.
Worry not—we have you covered with gift ideas from bottles of wine and wine experiences, to wine-adjacent accouterments you know they don’t have, and something worthy to pair with their favorite bottles already on hand.
Wine Tasting Experiences
One thing that wine drinkers are always thirsty for is knowledge. Even the most educated palates in the world—like Michael Meagher, Sommsation’s very own Master Sommelier, one of only 273 in the world—will tell you that there’s always something more to learn about wine. Consider gifting the wine lover in your life with an educational experience.
1. A Curated Tasting for Individuals or Groups
Sommsation offers 90-minute tasting experiences led by one of our 30+ world-class sommeliers. Each tasting includes two or three full bottles of wine from one of our 40+ independent wineries.There are more than 130 curated tastings to choose from, and each one includes personalized recommendations and advice, food pairing ideas, and customizable add-ons. All of our tastings can be planned for individuals, couples, small groups, or large corporate teams.
Some of our most popular tastings include ones that focus on individual winery or regional overviews; food-pairing focused tastings; individual grape histories; wine history overall. That said, if you have an idea for the wine lover in your life, we shape each tasting around your goals and the group you’re with.
Wine Gift Sets
If you know that the person you’re buying for loves a particular region (like Napa, Sonoma, or the Willamette Valley) or grape (like Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, or Cabernet Sauvignon), you can build a box-set for them from our roster of artisanal, premium, independent wineries.
We also have several gift sets curated by our sommeliers, all created for specific types of tasters to consider. Here are just a few:
2. For Napa Cabernet Sauvignon Fans
This three-year vertical of Revana Wines showcases some of Napa’s most sought-after vintages from the last decade. Tasters will receive half bottles of St. Helena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, 2015, and 2016.
3. For Variety Seekers
This flight of sparkling and red wines from Bell Wine Cellars highlights the variety of the types and styles of Napa Valley wine. The set includes a 2022 Blanc de Noirs, 2018 Estate Merlot Yountville, and 2018 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.Pick from our Somm Favorite sets or shop all of our curated sets and find that perfect wine gift for the discerning wine lover in your life.
4. A Sommelier Consultation
If the oenophile you’re buying for has the desire to establish a collection or expand their collection, you can also give the gift of access and knowledge with a sommelier consultation. Our diverse team of seasoned sommeliers can advise your recipient how to organize and insure their collection, share their expertise on perfecting wine and dinner pairings for their next event, and/or provide assistance in planning their next adventure to wine country. Whatever the discerning wine person in your life is curious about, our sommeliers will be their guide.Wine Adjacent Accessories and Accouterments
There’s an almost endless supply of potential wine-adjacent accessories and accouterments for every type of wine lover in your life.
5. For the Devoted Aficionado
These Zalto Hand Blown Universal Wine Glasses are ideal for young or new wine lovers who haven’t invested in glassware. These hand-blown, lead-free and dishwasher-safe glasses are luxurious, but practical. They look and feel too delicate to hold, but are sturdy enough for everyday use. They’re also appropriate for all types of wine.6. For the Newly Minted Wine Lover
These 18.2-ounce glasses from Zwiesel ideal for those who enjoy wine on a daily basis, and need practical, well-crafted glasses. Plus, they’re dishwasher safe and suitable for red and white wine.
7. For the Vintage Red Wine Lover
Vintage red is one of the most treasured but tricky wines to serve and enjoyed. The treasured part speaks for itself; the trickiness comes with sediment that builds up over time in mature wine bottles. This bottle-shaped Mature Wine Decanter from Richard Brendan’s Jancis Collection allows you to decant the wine in a refined vessel, while removing sediment, and ensuring the wine isn’t exposed to too much harmful oxygen. The beautiful hand-blown stopper adds an element of contemporary design to your table setting.
Pairing wine expertise and refined design, the Jancis Collection is the result of a truly collaborative cross-disciplinary partnership between the celebrated product designer Richard Brendon and world-renowned wine expert Jancis Robinson, OBE, MW.
8. For the White Wine and Bubble Lover
This Wine Enthusiast MAX dual zone fridge is constructed with serious oenophiles in mind. The temperatures are customizable, and the fridge is quiet; the digital touchscreen is intuitive to use. The larger lower zone is for long-term aging, and the top zone can be set for white and rosé wines. The fridge holds up to 32 standard Bordeaux bottles, making it a perfect surprise for your wine loving spouse.9. For Consummate Hosts
If you have a wine-loving host in your life, consider snagging a set of these gorgeous Joanna Buchanan jeweled wine charms. These allow the host—and their guests—to keep their wines straight, in style.
10. For Spa Queens
If you or someone on your gift list loves the (not so) occasional spa treatment, this Irene Forte White Wine Body Cream beckons. The hydrating cream uses Sicilian organic white wine, vitamins and all natural oils to refresh dehydrated skin and fight skin damage. For red wine lovers, this Arcona’s Wine Oil comes packed with resveratrol to smooth and hydrate stressed skin. And we can’t resist the Brad Pitt-approved vegan-friendly line from Le Domaine, offering wine-infused anti-aging creams, cleansers, and emulsions.11. For Dog-Obsessed Wine Lovers
This charming Frenchie wine bottle holder is perfect for the dog-loving oenophile in your life. This hand-painted holder will add a pop of charm and humor to any bar, side, or dining table. Like dogs, wines also have their own personalities—Pairing Paws: Dog Breeds and Their Spirit Wines is just the book for those wine people in your life.
12. For Jet-Setters
If you have a loved one who plans their vacation time around wine regions, they can stock up on collectibles without worrying about breaking bottles with this wine suitcase from FlyWithWine. It’s durable, versatile, and specifically designed to safely hold 5, 8, or 12 bottles of wine.13. For Tasting Scribes
We all have at least one friend who can’t taste a wine without making observations and notes. Help them elevate their journey with this Moleskine guided wine tasting notebook, featuring eight different themes depending on your preference.14. For Wine Drinking Bibliophiles
If you have a friend who is eager to learn more about the history of the Napa Valley, and all of the personalities that have come to shape and define it, check out this definitive narrative by Kelli Audrey White. Napa Valley Then and Now chronicles the rise of Napa. It is also an excellent resource for those with deep collections of vintage Napa wines.Food Pairing Options
Wine often shines best when paired with food. Options abound—here are a handful of tried-and-true pairings that will excite many different types of wine lovers in your life.
15. For Opulent Red Wine Lovers
Big, lush red wines sing when paired with salty and rich treats, especially Iberico. This Mercado Famous Jamon 100% Iberico is imported from Spain, sliced ultra-thin, vacuum sealed and ready to eat. This world-class ham is the pride of Spain for a reason, and the free-range acorn and grass-fed ham will melt in your (or their!) mouth. Try this with Fleury Estate Winery’s 2015 Howell Mountain BDX Red Blend: Expressive, delightful and elegant notes of blueberry, savory herbs and sweet oak fill the glass. Luxurious flavors dance across your palate and are seamlessly woven together by dusty, polished tannin and mountainous acidity.
16. For Curd Nerds
An affinity for wine often goes hand-in-hand with a deep regard for cheese. New York’s iconic cheese house Murray’s has created A Toast to Cheese, which includes a selection of cheeses carefully selected to go with a range of wines. The Gruyere is an ideal accompaniment to white, Langres works with sparkling, Manchego sings with red, and Membrillo brings a touch of sweetness, while olives deliver umami. Try these cheeses with Opolo Vineyards' White Wine Lovers 3-Pack, which includes the 2020 Willow Blanc, 2022 Viognier, and 2021 Chardonnay.
