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Food & Wine / Avaline
We may be a bit biased, but we think that a bottle of wine can make the perfect gift, no matter what the occasion. With the holidays on the horizon, there’s no better time to shop for the best wine gift baskets to satisfy everyone on your nice list. Whether you're looking for a memorable host gift or a present for the oenophile in your life, there’s a thoughtfully curated wine gift basket that will make you the MVP of the holiday season.
The wine gift baskets on our list don’t just come stocked with some of the best bottlings in the industry — they’re also filled with decadent chocolate gifts, cheese, charcuterie, wine accessories, and even virtual tasting experiences. Check out our list of the best wine gift baskets worth toasting to below — and get ready to make holiday gifting much smoother.
For thoughtfully curated gift sets, no one does it quite like Harry & David. This flavor-packed box has been compiled with the express purpose of complementing the star of the show, a bottle of Louis Martini Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. With jammy notes of cherry cobbler and wild blackberries, the full-bodied red pairs beautifully with a variety of happy hour-ready bites, like Olli Salumeria sopressata, tangy black olive spread, rich Sartori BellaVitano Gold cheese, and sweet fig spread.
Your recipient will love the box’s versatile selection, which teams just as beautifully with cocktail hour as it does with a cozy evening by the fire pit.
Chocolate and wine is a classic pairing, with notes of each element amplifying the enjoyment of their counterpart. This gift box from Napa Valley-based Clif Family Winery plays off the timelessness of the enduring duo by pairing the brand’s zesty Zinfandel (packed with flavors of ripe berries, sage, black pepper, and — of course — chocolate) with a trio of dark chocolate delights, ranging from decadent chocolate-covered almonds to chewy toffee and indulgent caramel.
Best of all, each gift set is packaged securely into a box and tied with a chic ribbon, so you can even have it delivered directly to your recipient without worrying about how it’ll look once it shows up.
Have a friend who has always wanted to sit down for a bottle with Cameron Diaz? Well, now they can — sort of — with this collection of bottles from Avaline. Each of the wines from the A-lister's brand is made from organic grapes and is void of any unnecessary concentrates, colors, or added sugars. The result? An easy-to-sip line of classics that will please even the pickiest connoisseur.
This generous gift set is stocked with six bottles of their best, ranging from a crisp pinot grigio and juicy Italian Bianco to a bold Sangiovese and effervescent Lambrusco. While it doesn’t come with any snacks alongside the sips, we think six bottles is a more than generous treat for anyone on your holiday shopping list.
If there’s one time of year when a bottle of bubbly is practically a party accessory, it’s the holiday season. Spoil your favorite host with this glam wine gift basket from Hickory Farms, which gives a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut the gold start treatment, tucking it into a metallic gift bin and surrounding it with a boatload of delicious treats. Inside, your recipient will find everything from French truffles and English toffee caramels to honeycomb chocolate for a culinary experience that’s almost as good as a trip to Europe.
Now, you’ll just need to decide on the perfect set of Champagne glasses to complete your bubbly holiday gift.
Mulled wine is a seasonal classic, but the actual execution of said beverage can be rather intimidating. This newly launched gift set from bespoke boxed wine brand Ami Ami makes it incredibly easy, delivering everything you need to make the soul-warming sip. Inside the modern branded boxes (which feel special enough to gift sans ribbon or fluff!), you’ll find organic spices from editor-loved spice brand Burlap & Barrel, along with dehydrated oranges and a recipe card.
Of course, there’s wine too — Ami Ami’s French-produced boxed Vin Rouge, to be exact — which we find to be velvety, fruit-forward, and versatile.
When shopping for a fellow oenophile, it’s always helpful to know what kind of wine they prefer to sip. If your giftee is a fan of rich, bold reds, they’ll love this dynamic box of blends from Prisoner. The California-based wine company specializes in balanced blends of unusual grape varieties that appeal to fans of all types, whether their preferences lean fruity and and fragrant or smoky and subtle.
This particular collection teams a trio of their most popular blends: The Prisoner Red Blend, a bright and smooth combination that tastes of vanilla, coconut, and raspberry; SALDO Red Blend, a medium-bodied bold pick with notes of black cherries and baking spices; and Unshackled Red Blend, a fruit-forward selection that pairs fresh aromas of blueberry and crushed violets with hints of white pepper and spices.
If you’re gifting a couple or looking to send a thoughtful box that can be shared, this bountiful collection from Gourmet Gift Baskets should be on your shortlist. It’s packed to the brim with enough snacks to satisfy a crowd, including multiple types of cheeses, meats, crackers, and dessert items for a ready-to-go charcuterie board.
And while all that is delicious, top honors go to the two bottles of vino tucked inside, one from Cakebread Cellars and one from Silver Oak. While each of the reds is made from cabernet sauvignon grapes, they boast distinctly different tasting notes. Silver Oak’s version is a graceful, medium-bodied expression of bright fruit and savory spices, while Cakebread Cellars offers up a rich and complex bouquet of ripe berries, dark chocolate, and toasty oak.
Whatever the reason your giftee is abstaining from alcohol, they can still get in on the wine gift basket fun with this curated collection centered around Töst. The party-ready sparkling beverage (which was named to our list of the best nonalcoholic drinks) still lets sippers partake in that “pop the bottle” moment, substituting wine or Champagne with a bubbly blend of botanicals, including white tea, ginger, and elderberry.
The rest of this gift set is equally memorable, with many of the picks geared towards an indulgent night in. There’s a fizzy bath bomb, a scented candle, an indulgent hand cream, a brightening face mask, and a mint chocolate bar — everything they’ll need for a luxurious solo celebration.
For the friend who is always on the hunt for the latest and greatest up-and-coming product, we present Juliet’s Merry Red Bundle. Juliet centers its ethos on sustainability, packaging its California-grown wine in an eco-magnum made entirely of recyclable and renewable materials. Even better, their wine is great, with a handmade touch and low-intervention ingredient process that lets the grapes shine on their own.
This seasonal bundle combines two punchy reds — an Edna Valley-grown pinot noir and an aromatic cabernet sauvignon — for the perfect party favor. Juliet’s wines stay fresh for up to six weeks, so this duo will carry your recipient through the holiday season — if it lasts that long.
Wine may be the focus of this article, but it's the cheese that takes center stage with this gift box. Makes sense, when you consider the fact that this delectable bundle comes from Murray’s Cheese, a New York City icon and one of the best cheesemongers in the biz. Fear not though, wine lovers — each of the varietals of cheese in this box is selected because they pair beautifully with a bottle of wine, whether your recipient prefers white or red.
They’ll get to sample two of Murray’s signature cheeses — a manchego and a gruyére — as well as eat their way through a mini wheel of Langres (meant to be paired with Champagne) and several satisfying snacks.
Whether you’re hoping to celebrate your friend’s engagement or looking for a way to wish your boss a happy Hanukkah, this wine gift basket from Wine.com is sure to put them into a celebratory mood. In it, a highly-rated bottle of Bisol Jeio Brut Prosecco appears alongside traditional snacks (think smoked gouda, sesame crackers, mixed olives, and dried fruit) for a collection that will make every hour a happy one.
This gift set is packaged beautifully into a water hyacinth basket, which your giftee can then reuse around their home as a stylish way to organize their olive oil collection by the stove or display coffee mugs by their espresso machine.
They may have wish-listed a trip to Napa for the holidays, but trust us when we tell you that this wine gift basket is the next best thing. A tour de force of all things California wine country, it features a thoughtful selection of wines from the region, as well as curated snacks meant to pair perfectly with the included bottles. If you’re not sure what type of wine tickles their tastebuds, fret not.
There’s something for every type of sipper in this basket, from a bold cabernet sauvignon from High Valley Vineyards and a creamy chardonnay from Rodney Strong to a warm and fruity pinot noir from Parducci. Did we mention there’s a chocolate soufflé cake included? You may want to order one for yourself, too.
This bountiful box from Harry & David takes the guesswork out of creating an engaging and balanced cheese and wine pairing, making it the perfect option for your favorite host or home chef this holiday season. Tucked into delicate tissue paper, your recipient will find six Royal Riviera pears and four apples, as well as a selection of three cheeses (sharp cheddar, gouda, and Touvelle). Finishing off the set is a bottle of J Vineyards Pinot Gris, a crisp white wine that has notes of stone fruit and citrus, with a refreshing touch of minerality.
If you want to leave a lasting impression this holiday season, look no further than this thematic gift box from Hickory Farms. You’ll be like a real-life Santa Claus, delivering holiday cheer in the form of wine, cheese, and chocolate treats (aka the best kind of holiday cheer). This curated collection teams a festive bottle of Bell & Bough Cabernet Sauvignon with classic finger foods like salami, cheese, jams, crisps, jams, chocolates, and more.
This gift set is relatively budget-friendly and serves a crowd, making it a great option to gift if you don’t want to show up to the neighborhood block party empty-handed.
Smith & Hook’s highly-lauded cabernet sauvignon is known for its classic Central Coast flavor notes, with hints of cherry, plum, blackberry, and cassis and a toasty, spicy finish that lingers on the palette. A wine this robust should be paired with equally indulgent treats — and this wine gift basket contains just that. Inside, you’ll find a selection of cookies, truffles, dark chocolate cashews, chocolate caramel graham crackers, and mudpuppies for a dessert-forward collection that will feel right at home among a holiday spread. Bonus: The faux leather bin everything is packaged in looks seriously chic.
Factors to Consider
Shipping
Don't forget to consider the time and cost of shipping. If you're a last-minute gift buyer and giver, you'll have to pay for expedited shipping on these gift baskets and sets unless you start shopping early. Many of these items have a purchase cut-off date for arriving in time for the holidays, so be sure to check that out when making a purchase. For state-by-state shipping availability, you'll want to check each gift basket's shipping restrictions before you check out.
Wine Variety
Take note of the varietals included in each set, as they vary greatly. If you only drink red versus white or vice versa, you'll want to opt for the baskets and sets that include varietals you know you'll love. We've featured several selections that offer red, white, Rosé, and sparkling only, so there are choices for all types of wine lovers.
Accessories
From artisan foods to wine glasses, wine gift baskets feature many accessories. Consider your giftee and their needs to determine which accessories make the most sense. Do they need glassware or a new corkscrew? Will they be traveling away from home when they receive this gift, and if so, would those accessories be welcomed? Most of the baskets equipped with culinary treats include a wide selection, so you can't go wrong, as there's bound to be something enjoyable for every gift recipient.
Gift Basket vs. Gift Set
This list includes both gift basket and gift set styles, with the main difference being that baskets include an array of culinary goodies or accessories and the sets feature strictly wines. For gift recipients who don't want the extra goodies, a gift set of wines is the right choice. But for those you know who want to make it a wine and food pairing experience, opt for one of the extravagant baskets we've included here.
More Food & Wine Gift Guides
- The 30 Best Gifts Under $50, Including a Few of Our Tested Favorites
- The 40 Best Gifts for Cocktail Lovers, According to Bartenders
- The 30 Best Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List
- The 30 Best Gifts for Bakers, According to Pastry Chefs and Editors
Our Expertise
Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist living in New York with over a decade of experience in the food, home, and lifestyle categories. When she's not diving into the latest trends and products, she's restoring an 1820s farmhouse in the Hudson Valley alongside her husband and children.
Years of tasting and writing about food, wine, and spirits guide Melissa Vogt's research. As a tourist, Vogt seeks out local bars, and she's well acquainted with where to find good libations in her hometown of Santa Rosa, Calif. Read more of her writing on her website and in Napa Valley Life, Very Napa Valley, and Wine Country This Month.