{"id":6900,"date":"2014-12-12T18:49:34","date_gmt":"2014-12-13T02:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6900"},"modified":"2014-12-12T18:49:34","modified_gmt":"2014-12-13T02:49:34","slug":"cocktail-corner-top-shelf-gifts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=6900","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Top Shelf Gifts"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Grassini Winery offers one of the many local wine clubs, a great gift idea for just about anyone! Photo courtesy Grassini.<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! by\u00a0Leslie Dinaberg<\/a>\u00a0|<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s that most wonderful time of the year once again\u2014from wine clubs to spirits, to gifts that give back and ideas\u00a0that are sure to impress\u2014here are some of our favorite holiday gift ideas for\u00a0just about everyone on your list.<\/h4>\n

It’s Not a Gang; It’s a Club…<\/h4>\n

A wine club, that is, which is the perfect gift for all of the wine drinkers on your list. You can’t go wrong with so many great wineries in Santa Barbara County<\/a>. One of our favorites is Carr Winery<\/a>, which offers three different options, including the red wine only Luxury Club, which includes six bottles of new releases as well as one bottle made exclusively for club members. Members also get a free tastings at the totally cool Quonset hut tasting room, access to private events, a 20% discount on wine purchases, logo items and private parties, and when you refer your friends you receive a free bottle of wine.<\/p>\n

\"Carr

Carr Winery barrel room, courtesy photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Grassini Family Vineyards<\/a> offers four different wine club options, all of which include discounts on shipments and purchases, complimentary tastings for you and your guests in their charming downtown tasting room in historic El Paseo<\/a>, club exclusive events as well as complimentary or discounted tickets to other special events and priority access to limited-production bottlings. For more information on local wine clubs, visit Santa Barbara Vintners,\u00a0sbcountywines.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Drink to Your Health<\/h4>\n
\"Bluecoat

Bluecoat American Dry Gin, courtesy photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Gin lovers will appreciate a prescription for Bluecoat American Dry Gin<\/a>, a beautiful blue bottle that not only tastes delicious and looks impressive on your bar, but also is made from organic juniper berries, which have spicy, earthy notes instead of the pungent pine-tree flavors of regular berries. Juniper, found in all gin, is reputed to relieve bloating cramping and gas.<\/p>\n

Give Back<\/h4>\n

Almost anyone will appreciate a gift of wine or spirits, but why not up the ante a bit with gifts that give\u00a0back to worthy causes at the same time.<\/p>\n

For example, Stemmari Wines<\/a> is partnering with the Special Operations Warrior Foundation <\/a>(SOWF). The Sicilian wine brand will donate part of their proceeds in support of the SOWF programs to benefit the military\u2019s special operation forces and their families. This Stemmari lineup won\u2019t break you bank,\u00a0either,\u00a0as all are less than $15. Wines include<\/p>\n

\"Fonseca

Fonseca Bin 27 in Artist Series gift box, courtesy photo<\/p><\/div>\n

Stemmari Nero d\u2019Avola,\u00a0Stemmari Pinot Grigio, Stemmari Pinot Noir, Stemmari Moscato, Stemmari Baci Vivaci (100% Grillo), Stemmari Dalila (80% Grillo, 20% Viognier)\u00a0and Stemmari Contodoro (80% Nero d\u2019Avola, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon).<\/p>\n

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Also worth checking out is Fonseca\u2019s\u00a02014 Limited Edition BIN 27 Erik Parker Artist Series<\/a>, which showcases Parker\u2019s creative water-inspired art and Fonseca BIN 27\u2019s support for the Waterkeeper Alliance<\/a> and their mission to advocate for environmental issues surrounding our waterways. This delicious ruby port is perfect for a cold winter’s night, and a purchase will support the needs of our environment.<\/p>\n

\"Teeling

Teeling Small Batch 750ml Whiskey, courtesy photo<\/p><\/div>\n

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A Twist on the Traditional<\/h4>\n

Since 1782 the Teeling family has been crafting Teeling Irish Whiskey<\/a>, a small batch bottling that consists of hand selected casks, which are given further maturation in Flor de Cana Rum<\/a> barrels, giving this whiskey an extra sweet and smooth rum-finished vanilla flavor.<\/p>\n

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For the Man or Woman Who Has Everything<\/h4>\n
\"Hall

Hall Wine’s Gift of Indulgence<\/p><\/div>\n

If (lucky you) money is no object, for a mere $18,000 HALL Wines<\/a> offers a “Gift of Indulgence,” pairing wine with experiences that are sure to impress. The package from owners Craig & Kathryn Hall (Kathryn is most known for being our United States Ambassador to Austria under the Clinton administration as well as being a lifelong vintner, and Craig is the author of business-focused books and owns HALL Financial) includes first class airfare for two to and from Napa; a three-night stay at the new luxury boutique SENZA in Napa Valley; private tours of multiple vineyards and a wine blending session with HALL\u2019s award winning winemaking team, led by Steve Leveque, among other perks.<\/p>\n

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A Weekend in Wine Heaven<\/h4>\n
\"Courtesy

Courtesy World of PInot Noir<\/p><\/div>\n

The World of Pinot Noir<\/a> comes back to the Bacara Resort<\/a> March 6-7, and is a must attend for pinot lovers. This fabulous annual event includes two days of in-depth tasting seminars and excursions, grand tastings, a Burgundy seminar and tasting and gourmet, locally influenced lunches and dinners. I had so much fun at last year’s event; I can’t wait for this one!<\/p>\n

Santa, I hope you’re reading this.<\/p>\n

Cheers!
\nClick here<\/a> for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

Originally published in\u00a0Santa Barbara Seasons<\/em><\/a>\u00a0on December 12, 2014.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a>

Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a>, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes magazine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

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