The holidays arrive with their own particular magic—the flicker of candlelight on winter evenings, the gathering of friends and family, the quiet joy of giving something truly meaningful. In a season often dominated by the ordinary, wine stands apart as a gift that carries warmth, occasion, and story in every bottle.
At Handwritten Wines, we believe the best gifts are those that reflect care—both in their selection and in the moments they create. Whether you’re choosing a bottle for a cherished friend, a curated collection for a valued client, or an experience that will linger long after the last sip, this guide is designed to help you navigate the art of wine gifting with confidence and grace.
When to Give Wine as a Gift and Who Will Appreciate It Most
Wine is a gift that transcends the ordinary, but its true power lies in knowing when—and to whom—to offer it. Unlike fleeting presents, a thoughtfully chosen bottle becomes part of a memory: a holiday dinner, a quiet celebration, a toast to the year ahead.
Who appreciates wine as a gift? Nearly everyone, when chosen with intention. The wine enthusiast will recognize quality and care. The gracious host will welcome a bottle that elevates their table. The friend who “has everything” will treasure something rare or personally selected. Even those new to wine can be introduced to something beautiful when paired with a handwritten note explaining why you chose it.
When is wine the perfect gift? Holiday gatherings, of course—but also intimate dinners, thank-you gestures for those who’ve made your year brighter, corporate recognition that feels genuinely personal, and milestones worth marking. Wine honors occasions both grand and quiet. It says: this moment matters, and so do you.
Choosing Seasonal Wines for Year-Round Gifting
While holiday gifting often gravitates toward rich, bold reds—and rightly so—the most thoughtful gifts are those that match the moment and the recipient’s taste.
For winter celebrations, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignons shine. These are wines built for layered conversation, slow dinners, and the warmth of gathered company. Our 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, with its hillside character and volcanic terroir, brings depth and elegance to any holiday table.
Consider also the beauty of contrast: a crisp, refined Chardonnay offers brightness against the season’s heavier fare. Paired with oysters or roasted chicken, it’s a reminder that winter can taste like light.
The key to seasonal gifting is understanding not just the wine, but the moment it will inhabit. Will it be opened Christmas Eve, or saved for a January evening when the house is quiet again? Will it accompany a feast, or stand alone as the centerpiece of an intimate toast? These questions guide your choice.
Finding the Best Wine to Give as a Gift
The best wine gift is not always the most expensive—it’s the one that feels personal. This is where the story meets the bottle.
Start with what you know about the recipient. Do they favor bold, structured reds, or lighter, food-friendly wines? Have they mentioned a memorable trip to Napa, or expressed curiosity about a particular vineyard? Do they collect wine, or simply enjoy a good glass on occasion?
At Handwritten, our Vintner’s Selections package was curated with this in mind. Featuring our 2021 Homage, 2020 Three Words, and 2021 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, this trio offers range, complexity, and a sense of place. Each bottle tells its own story—and together, they offer a journey through terroir, time, and craft.
For those who value the ritual of pairing wine with food, our Three Course Meal package is designed to shine from first course to last. The 2024 Chardonnay opens the evening, the 2020 Three Words carries the main course, and the 2009 Colheita closes with something unforgettable. It’s not just wine—it’s a dining experience, waiting to unfold.
For those whose tastes you’re still discovering—or when you want to offer the gift of choice—a Handwritten gift card is both thoughtful and freeing. It allows the recipient to explore our collection at their own pace, to choose wines that speak to their palate, or even to book a tasting experience in our Yountville tasting room. A gift card isn’t an afterthought—it’s an invitation to create their own story with us.
The Art of Corporate Wine Gifting
Corporate gifting can feel transactional—but it doesn’t have to. When done thoughtfully, wine becomes a gesture of genuine appreciation, a way to honor relationships that matter.
Why wine works for corporate gifts: It’s elegant without being ostentatious. It invites shared experience. It transcends industry, role, and geography. And when chosen well, it reflects the values of both giver and recipient: quality, care, and attention to detail.
Consider including a personal message. Corporate wine gifting reaches its full potential when paired with a note that acknowledges the individual, not just the role. A few sincere sentences about why this person’s work mattered to you this year transforms a gift into a moment of connection.
Enhancing the Experience with Wine Gift Accessories
A bottle of wine is a gift. A bottle of wine paired with thoughtful accessories becomes an experience.
Wine glasses and decanters are timeless additions—elegant, functional, and a reminder of the care you put into your selection. A set of hand-blown stemware or a beautifully crafted decanter elevates every pour.
Corkscrew gifts may seem practical, but the right one becomes a treasured tool. Look for designs that marry form and function—sleek, weighted, satisfying to use.
A wine bottle carrier offers both style and practicality, perfect for those who bring wine to gatherings or enjoy picnics. Choose leather or canvas for a refined, enduring aesthetic.
Wine tasting journals invite reflection. For the wine lover who savors not just the glass but the story behind it, a journal becomes a way to record memories, vintages, and the moments that accompany them.
At Handwritten, we believe accessories should feel as considered as the wine itself. That’s why we offer curated options that align with our commitment to craft, beauty, and intention.
Wrapping It Up: Presentation & Pairings
The final act of gifting is in the presentation—and here, details matter.
Wrapping wine should feel effortless and refined. We favor natural materials: kraft paper, linen ribbon, a sprig of greenery. A wax seal adds an intimate, handcrafted touch that echoes our ethos. Avoid the overly commercial or fussy; let the bottle speak for itself.
Include tasting notes or pairing suggestions tucked into the wrapping. A small card that reads, “This pairs beautifully with slow-braised short ribs or aged cheddar,” invites the recipient into the experience. It’s guidance, not prescription.
For corporate gifts or larger shipments, consistency in presentation signals care. Each package should feel as though it was wrapped by hand, even at scale.
And if you’re presenting wine in person—at a holiday dinner or client meeting—arrive with your bottle in a wine bag or carrier. It’s a small gesture that shows respect for the occasion and the gift.
The holidays remind us that the most meaningful gifts are those that slow us down, that invite us to savor, to gather, to remember. Wine does this effortlessly—when chosen with care.
At Handwritten Wines, we’re honored to be part of your gifting story this season. Whether you’re selecting a single bottle or building a custom collection, we’re here to help.
Explore our Holiday Gift Guide to discover curated packages and custom options.
Shop our full wine collection to find the perfect bottle for every palate.
Give the gift of choice with a Handwritten gift card, redeemable for wines, tastings, and experiences.
From our cellar to your table, we wish you a season filled with warmth, wonder, and wines worth sharing.