I think we probably all default to bringing some sort of alcohol as a hostess gift this time of year. Hand raised! But sometimes deciding which bottle of wine specifically can leave me stumped. We have our favorite wineries but still without fail I find myself calling my dad for a suggestion when in the wine aisle. This season, I thought I’d share one winery that is hands down always a crowd pleaser: Chalk Hill Estate (out of Healdsburg). And more specifically, this season my friends who prefer white will be receiving Chalk Hill 2016 Estate Chardonnay (aromas of lemon meringue, orange blossom and a hint of toasted almond), and my friends who love their reds will be receiving the Chalk Hill 2016 Estate Red (it’s the best blend of the red wines made from the estate–a rich and savory bottle with layered flavors of black cherry, dark chocolate and leather, oak, vanilla and toast). Trust me, they both go down smooth and make for great gifts.
I like to add my own festive touch with pretty ribbon, a sprig of greenery or whatever I have on hand to make it feel a bit more personal.
I stopped by the fabric store on my way home the other day and was pleasantly surprised to find remnants of fabric and burlap at such cheap prices. I think my whole total was under $5 dollars. I love simplicity in all things holiday–and this includes wrapping. I tied the burlap with ribbon and added a little dried citrus and greenery for a hint of a festive touch. I’m still totally into the dried citrus holiday decor trend.
If we’re heading to a cocktail or dinner party, I typically always default to bringing a bottle of wine, but if we’re spending the night at a friend’s for the weekend then I like to bring a something local as well (ie: coffee, granola, honey, jam, bread). Also often with a bottle of wine still!
Go-To Local Assortment of Goodies (all from The Mill which also makes things convenient) … additional ideas below
Photography | Codi Ann Backman