Holiday Wines You Can Ship (Almost) Anywhere
These domestic wines support local vineyards and are perfect for your holiday meal.
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Looking to grab a wine for a holiday dinner, but have no idea where to start? We know the feeling. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to choose the perfect wine. This year, why not use booze to help out a business in need? Amid the twists and turns of 2020 the hospitality industry has faced unprecedented challenges; riding the ups and downs like a turbulent wave. Although restaurants face closures, limitations and countless other trials, our west coast wineries have faced an entirely different predator; raging wildfires. Wildfires have meant damaged tasting rooms and ruined crops. Furthermore, they’ve meant lost wages and decimated property.
The good news? It’s easier to lend support than you might think. Although it’s not legal to ship to every state in the nation, enjoying wine from Napa, Oregon or Sonoma is as easy as buying a bottle (or two) directly from the vineyard. If you live in a state where shipping wine is legal and you plan to purchase wine this holiday – whether it be for a hostess gift, a New Year’s celebration or simply a fireside happy hour – consider supporting a domestic brand. We’ve rounded up our favorite bottles that ship nationally, so you can enjoy a bit of Napa, Sonoma or Oregon from the comfort of your own home, wherever that may be.
White Wine
For a set of wines that support a variety of different California producers, try the Chardonnay Showstoppers Set from Foley Family Wines. This curated set includes wines from three different producers, so it’s a streamlined way to support the wine industry with just one gift. The set includes Sebastiani 2018 Patrick's Vineyard Chardonnay Carneros, Chalk Hill 2018 Estate Chardonnay, and Chalone Vineyard 2017 Reserve Chardonnay.
Grown at the Bundschu family estate for 160 years, this classic wine from the Sonoma Coast is the perfect addition to any holiday table. The bright acidity and hints of pear and grapefruit are delightfully complementary to rich gravies and decadent meats.
Though Napa is renowned for its distinct Chardonnay, it’s no secret that the grape isn’t everyone’s favorite. For a full bodied wine with a silky mineral mouthfeel and vivacious citrus notes, try Ehler’s Estate Sauvignon Blanc. From the esteemed St. Helena appellation in northern Napa, this wine brings the distinction and excellence of Napa Valley to your holiday table.
This rich and elegant chardonnay is balanced with surprising acidity and crisp notes of apricot, lemon and kiwi. Hailing from the northern Willamette Valley, this wine is a true expression of Oregon's refined and sophisticated wines.
Red Wine
What’s better than supporting a small, domestic business in 2020? Supporting a BIPOC woman-owned domestic business in 2020! The McBride Sisters has grown into the largest Black-owned wine company in the United States and aims to inspire women to continue breaking barriers. With their SHE CAN Professional Development Fund, the sisters aim to encourage the professional advancement of women in the wine industry in a concerted effort to help close the gender and race gap. In the first year, the fund awarded scholarships of nearly $40,000 to empower women to strive for change and to create opportunities for themselves and others. Sample a collection of their distinct wines with this three-pack.
Looking to sample a bit of Lodi? Look no further than Oak Farm Vineyards. This old-world Italian style Barbera has aromas of strawberry jam and blueberry intertwined with truffle, leather, and pressed violet. A bright acidity makes it perfect for pairing with a rich, decadent holiday dinner.
This densely flavored cabernet sauvignon from a historic, legendary Napa Valley wine family is the big, bold red your holiday table needs. Red fruit flavors are layered with hints of cedar and herb, making for a full-bodied, elegant and polished wine with an exceptionally long finish.
Patz & Hall is committed to showcasing the distinct excellence of California’s terroir, and this gift set is no different. The set features one bottle of their Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir and Chenoweth Ranch Pinot Noir, packaged in an elegant blue gift box, illustrating the unique nuances of the region.
This complex, balanced and delightfully light pinot noir is the red wine that is guaranteed to please the crowd. The gently tannic and pleasantly acidic red is perfect for pairing with food or sipping on its own. Though this wine hails from the Sonoma Coast, La Crema has been making wine in California and Oregon’s finest winegrowing regions for the past 40 years.
Bold, rich and deep, this fully flavored wine boasts hints of florals, spices and fruit. Grapes are carefully selected from vineyards in Calistoga, St. Helena, Oakville, Oak Knoll and Coombsville, this wine is an excellent expression of the diversity of Napa Valley.
For an extra-special gift to really blow the socks off your favorite wine lover, head straight for Silver Oak’s Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This simultaneously juicy and tannic wine has the ability to age for decades if stored properly, making for an extra special gift they won’t soon forget.
Sparkling Wine
Looking for a bottle of sparkling that will really brighten up your day, in more ways than one? 100 percent of the proceeds from this sparkling wine from Oregon-based Grochau Cellar benefits the ACLU and the Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, which provides migrant workers access to quality health care regardless of their ability to pay. This delightfully bright sparkling wine balances rich flavors of brioche with zesty citrus notes and refreshing minerality.
For a pleasantly approachable and remarkably affordable sparkling wine, seek out Roederer Estate’s Brut or Brut Rosé. Hailing from the rolling hills of Mendocino, this sparkling blend of pinot noir and chardonnay is fruity and elegant with a full body and delicate, discreet bubbles. It’s a gratifying example of the west coast’s ability to produce world class sparkling wine.
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