A Curated Collection of Bottles, Books, and Entertaining Ideas
for the Wine and Craft Beverage Lovers on Your List!
Bourbon with Depth—and Distinction
Recognized internationally, the award-winning Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon ($99) is the first American whiskey matured using the traditional Solera method, long employed for fine Sherries, Ports, and Cognacs. It is finished in 20-year-old Oloroso Sherry casks, imparting elegant floral aromas and rich flavors of fig, roasted walnuts, candied fruit, and spicy rye.
In the Solera process, which involves a pyramid of barrels, whiskey is periodically drawn from the lowest barrels while an equal measure of new whiskey is added to the top, ensuring no barrel is ever emptied. Over time, older and younger whiskeys blend, creating exceptional depth and complexity, making this a truly memorable pour for holiday gatherings. ShopHillrock.com
Thoughtful Bottles for Festive Moments
Celebrate the season with Neverstill Wines’ Holiday Bundles—a meaningful way to toast the end of a great year and share the gift of New York wine. Choose from any of their holiday gift packs — the Pet-Nat Bundle for bubbles lovers, the food-friendly Riesling Bundle, or the Winter Reserve Collection which features three of their finest estate-grown selections: Chenin Blanc, Reserve Riesling, and Cabernet Franc. Each bottle is crafted for pairing, gifting, and savoring, and with shipping available to 35 states nationwide, it’s easy to send a taste of handcrafted elegance far and wide. neverstillwines.com
Gift Bundles for Flavor Seekers
For food lovers and wellness enthusiasts, seasonal bundles from Catskill’s Atina Foods, an artisan-led maker of preserved chutneys and ferments, deliver bold flavor and handcrafted goodness. Sets like the New York Locavore Bundle ($45) blend South Indian techniques with Hudson Valley ingredients in unexpected creations like Fennel Fermented and Green Tomato Pickle, offering both robust health benefits and culinary adventure. A delicious way to add warmth to any kitchen, these gifts are ideal for hosts, home cooks, and anyone craving something local and unique. atinafoods.com
Minimal Intervention, Maximum Celebration
Whitecliff Winery’s natural Pet-Nat ($29.99) is a standout gift for sparkling wine lovers. Made with 100% estate-grown grapes and zero additives—no added yeast, sugar, filtration, or fining—it’s a pure expression of non-intervention winemaking. Bottled during initial fermentation to lock in its lively bubbles, this naturally sparkling wine was named Best Sparkling at the Hudson Valley Wine Competition. Fresh, fun, and full of character, it’s a festive pick for anyone who appreciates minimal intervention and maximum flavor. whitecliffwine.com
Homegrown with Heart
Bring orchard-fresh flavor to the holiday table with Treasury Cider’s small-batch hard ciders, crafted at Fishkill Farms from 100% estate-grown fruit. For something truly special, try their new Pommeau ($34), a smooth, rich blend of barely fermented apple juice and barrel-aged apple brandy, beautifully hand-bottled and perfect as an apertif, for festive toasts, or cozy nights in.
Spread the holiday cheer and buy any four bottles at Fishkill Farms and save $1 each, or find local retailers at treasurycider.com
For Smoky, Sophisticated Sips
One of the world’s few Field-to-Glass® distilleries, Hillrock Estate Distillery produces terroir-driven whiskeys from its own grain. Every step of production from seed to bottle occurs on the estate. Hillrock’s Single Malt: OPX Cask Finish ($110) is the first standard proof release from their Sheffield Hill field, aged 6.58 years and finished in Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez wine casks. This remarkable American Single Malt is crafted from 100% estate barley, traditionally floor malted on site and peat smoked for 18 hours. Notes of toffee and citrus are rounded out by a long, campfire finish, making it a perfect holiday sip. ShopHillrock.com
Mix It Up with Award-Winning Flavor
Turn up the flavor this holiday season with K Bloody Mary Mix ($10/$18)—an award-winning, organic, vegan, and gluten-free blend that brings bold heat and savory depth to every sip. Whether mixing up a Bloody Mary, Bloody Maria, or Red Snapper, or simply sipping it over ice, K’s versatility shines. It also doubles as a zesty marinade or a punchy upgrade to a cocktail sauce.
A Good Food Award winner and Fifty Best Gold Medalist, this mix is a flavorful gift for brunch lovers, spice seekers, and the cocktail creatives on your list. E-gift cards available. KBloodyMaryMix.com
From Freezer to Festive in 25 Minutes
Treat the food lovers on your list to a delicious delivery from Wildgrain—a subscription box of bake-from-frozen sourdough breads, artisanal pastries, and hand-cut fresh pastas that go from freezer to table in under 25 minutes, made with clean ingredients and slow fermentation, Even better? Every subscription helps fight hunger, with two meals donated to a local food security nonprofit. Choose a gift membership, one-time box, or e-card. Use code CARBIVORE40 to get $40 off the first box (through 11/23/25). wildgrain.com
Tickets, Tastings, and Toast-Worthy Adventures
Sip, Savor, and Celebrate
Looking for an experiential gift that’s equal parts festive and feel-good? Pair a bottle of local wine or cider with tickets to the 19th Annual Rip Van Winkle Wine, Brew & Beverage Festival. Held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, this beloved event unfolds along the scenic banks of the Hudson River in Catskill, NY, where guests enjoy unlimited tastings of wine, craft beer, and specialty beverages, plus delicious bites from local food vendors, artisan crafts, and live music. Voted Best Large Scale Event in Greene County with all proceeds supporting local parks and recreation. Purchase tickets here.
Pairs Well with Summer
Surprise a wine lover with tickets to the Putnam County Wine & Food Fest, returning to Veteran’s Memorial Park in Carmel, NY, on August 22 and 23, 2026. This lively outdoor festival features tastings from Hudson Valley and international wineries, craft beverages, a beer tent, gourmet food trucks, artisan vendors, and live music across all genres.
Guests can enjoy cooking demos, family-friendly fun, and a relaxed vibe—it’s a great way to escape and celebrate local flavor. Tuck tickets into a wine tote or pair with a bottle for a gift that’s festive and full of spirit. Use code HVWMHoliday at checkout to save 35% on tickets until January 5.
Books for Wine Lovers and Cocktail & Mocktail Makers
Wednesday Night Wine-Down
by Jennifer Newens
A spirited gift for cocktail lovers, Wednesday Night Wine-Down: 52 Drinks for Low-Alcohol Midweek Sipping offers 52 creative low-alcohol drinks recipes—one for every week of the year. Organized by season, this beautifully photographed book features wine-forward cocktails made with still, sparkling, and fortified wines like Port, sherry, and vermouth. Each recipe includes useful tips on glassware, garnishes, and presentation to elevate any evening. From traditional drinks like the Aperol Spritz to a spiced pear cocktail and summer watermelon frosé, these drinks are inventive, light and low-fuss.
For health-conscious imbibers, this book brings a relaxed, celebratory vibe to midweek sipping—one glass at a time. Purchase on Amazon or at major booksellers.
Monday Night Mocktails
By Jennifer Newens
For the cocktail lover who’s skipping the booze, this flavorful companion to Wednesday Night Wine Down delivers 52 inspired, easy-to-make non-alcoholic drinks—one for every week of the year. From fresh takes on familiar favorites like the Virgin Margarita and Nearly Negroni to inventive blends like Turmeric Meyer Lemon Drop, Peach-Rosemary Spritz, and Star Anise Mango Mocktail, each drink is crafted with seasonal ingredients and widely available non-alcoholic wines and spirits.
Monday Night Mocktails: 52 Drinks to Welcome the Week is a festive, feel-good gift for sober-curious sippers, hosts, and anyone who loves a well-balanced pour without the buzz. Available at Amazon and major booksellers.
Hugh Johnson's Pocket Wine Book 2026
Edited by Margaret Rand
A must-have for wine lovers, Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Guide 2026 is the world’s bestselling annual wine reference—now in its 49th edition. Compact yet packed with expert insights, vintage charts, food pairing ideas, and global recommendations, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to sip smarter. Expanded to include up-to-the-minute information on 5,000 wines, this trusted, handy guide is a thoughtful stocking stuffer for curious drinkers and seasoned collectors alike. Find it on Amazon or at major booksellers.
FIZZ: 70+ Homemade Artisan Sodas
By Andrea Lynn
Fizz: 70+ Homemade Artisan Sodas is a vibrant, photo-filled guide to crafting sparkling drinks with flair. From syrups and agua frescas to fizzy cocktails and mocktails, this book bubbles over with creative, easy-to-make recipes—perfect for anyone who loves a refreshing twist. Say goodbye to bland beverages and hello to homemade refreshment with standout flavors like Apricot-Cinnamon, Rhubarb-Basil, Mango-Chile, Prickly Pear, and Cucumber-Mint Agua Fresca. With seasonal ingredients and playful combinations, Fizz celebrates the art of homemade fizz.
A fun, flavorful gift for home mixologists and soda fans alike. Find it on Amazon or at major booksellers.
A Taste for Wine: A New Tasting Masterclass for Wine Lovers
By Rose Murray Brown MW
A beautifully crafted and practical pick for curious wine lovers, this new release offers a complete home tasting course—from swirling and sniffing to blind tasting and food pairing—led by one of the UK’s most respected wine educators and one of just 154 female Masters of Wine worldwide.
With 10 step-by-step tasting practices, insights into natural, orange, and low- and no-alcohol wines, with profiles of 100+ grape varieties across 51 wine countries, A Taste for Wine is both approachable and deeply informative. A joyful, hands-on master class for anyone who loves to learn by tasting. Find it on Amazon or major booksellers.
