Think Wine for the Holidays

        'Tis the season to mull over what to get your best friend or dear neighbor or new business acquaintance.  At Dawn's Dream Winery last Friday night, we attended a wine tasting/holiday gift party that made us think gift giving could actually be effortless and fun. 

Unique wine barrel oak stave candle holder

It was held at the tasting room at 19 East Carmel Valley Road, part of what is now called East End Wine Row, and it was our first hit of the holiday season.  There were about twenty people already in the little tasting room with wine to taste, appetizers to accompany the wine, gift baskets and interesting gifts to peruse, and jewelry by Silpada. 

MK focused on the 2011 Sauvignon Blanc which she quite liked.  Stored in oak for two months, it has a little more heartiness than many Sauvignons.  LC went for the Pinot Noirs, hoping to find a perfect one to accompany the Thanksgiving turkey.  She did in the 2011 "Alyssa" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir.  One of the servers said Alyssa was one of her favorites, too.  She told us that it was created from the first press of the grapes so it was fresh, very fruity, with a nice spiciness to it.  Just what I was going to say.

The gift baskets were attractive and fun.  Take "Girlfriend Basket," for example...a bottle of Dawn's Dream wine, two wine glasses, two coasters, a wine opener, chocolates, recyclable wine bag, all in a very attractive basket ($95).  A smaller one,  "Dream a Little Dream Basket," for $45 had salami, crackers, a Hottie Biscotti (we want to check that out!), a wine opener, chocolates, and recyclable wine bag.  There's a larger one, too, which includes a set of wine motif sun glasses.  And of course, there's always just a wonderful single bottle of wine starting at $24.00.

We're sure other wineries will be featuring their wines and accompanying gifts for the holiday season, too.  SO...think wine for the holidays.

And if you're hankering for a holiday party, consider two upcoming valley events:

·        * The 5th Village Holiday Art and Wine Walk, Saturday November 24, 12-5 with tastings, music, art and silent auction.

·       * Holiday Taste of Wine Row a special event Saturday December 8, 1-5 p.m., in Carmel Valley Village. Seven "East End Wine Row" valley wineries are paired with Carmel Valley restaurants for a food/wine tasting celebration.