Finding the perfect gifts can be challenging, and even if picking up a few bottles at your local winery seems like a simple solution for everyone in your life who enjoys a glass with a good meal, that comes with its own considerations. Red or white? How much to invest? Are a few bottles sufficient, or is a case better? With so many questions in mind, choosing the right bottle can feel overwhelming.

However, fear not! This comprehensive wine guide addresses all these concerns, whether you're shopping for holidays, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Valentine's Day, housewarmings, or expressions of gratitude.

Who Is This Gift For

When buying a wine gift, the first step should always be to consider the recipient. Are you buying it for an experienced wine lover or for a wine newbie? If you don’t already know the recipient’s taste preferences, try to discreetly find out. Avoid red wines if they only drink white, or sweet wines if they prefer dry. The more information you have, the better chance you’ll have of hitting the nail on the head.

What to Give Wine Newbies

Let’s say you’re buying a gift for someone just starting to explore wine. You may want to get them a wine on the aromatic side. Your recipient may not have built up their smelling and tasting skills yet, making subtler wines tougher to enjoy. Our Heron line of wines includes a semi-sweet white and red wine. These versatile, everyday occasion wines are crafted using a specific blend to highlight Michigan's grape growing climate.

Or a sweeter wine may be their thing and we have several fun wines to try! You may want to opt for our Strawberry Fields, Cotton Candy, PB&J, S’mores, or Raspberry Truffle wines for a unique drinking experience that your recipient is sure to remember.

What to Give Wine Connoisseurs

What if your recipient is well-versed in vino? Then it’s time to really consider what you know about them as a wine lover. Do they collect wine? Are they looking to expand their collection? Are there any styles that they prefer or are particularly focused on? If you don’t already regularly chat about wine with them (and can’t simply ask a spouse or close friend or relative), pay attention next time you get together and ask them questions about what they’re drinking, or if you’re at their house, ask for a tour of their cellar to get them talking, without having to give away that you’re trying to come up with gift ideas.

We highly recommend any of our Winemaker’s Series wines. The wines within this series showcase the true talent of our winemaking team. On each bottle, you will find information about the blend and the winemakers who dreamed it up. This collection gives our winemakers the creativity to try new and innovative techniques and combinations, continually pushing the limits on Michigan wine. Any one of these limited release wines will sure to be a bottle cherished and enjoyed by those that have a deep appreciation for wines.

What to Give Everyone in Between

Whether you’re buying a gift for a wine aficionado or someone less experienced, consider getting them a sparkling wine. After all, bubbly is already widely associated with celebrations and gifts. As a last resort, you could also share a favorite wine of yours such as one that is meaningful to you. You can tell a story or enclose a note about what makes it special to you and why you thought they might also enjoy it.

What Wine to Give Your Partner

You should start by focusing on the preferences of your boyfriend, girlfriend or partner: white wine, red wine, rosé, sparkling or a particular grape? Do you want a wine the two of you can enjoy together now or one to save for a special moment later?

For a romantic moment, you can almost never go wrong with our Brut Champagne. If that seems a bit too predictable, give it a bit of a twist with Ciao Bolle a refreshing and bright dry bubbly rosé. Or if your sweetie enjoys sweet wines, try one of our wines from our Emotions line – Sweet Revenge, Desire, or Envy.

Considering that chocolate is among the most popular Valentine's gifts, you may want to give your partner some top-notch chocolates matched to a bottle of wine. Some popular options include Port and we have a great option for you – our Catherman’s Port.

Not fans of sweet wines? It's absolutely possible (and very tasty) to pair darker, less sweet chocolates with rich, full-bodied red wines packed with lush fruit flavors. We recommend our Merlot, Cabernet Franc, or White Blend.

What Are the Best Wines for Him or Her

Don't worry about finding the right wine in terms of "his" or "her" bottles. While particular wine styles have been associated with specific genders in the past, these notions are no longer relevant. After all, today's wine fans have a massive array of wines to enjoy; it would be a shame to limit themselves to just a few styles based on gender!

How Much Do I Spend on a Wine Gift

As with all gifts, this is a tough question. And the answer depends largely on the occasion and how well you know the recipient. Major events like weddings could possibly demand a higher price tag. And birthdays could mean a more expensive wine than, say, a casual “thank you” gift. But it’s all relative: You may want to spend more on a thank-you gift if someone just helped you move for example. The main point is to gauge the situation and possible expectations of the recipient.

Of course, if they’re your nearest and dearest, close family or a longtime friend, you may want to splurge, unless you know that they prefer every day, drink-now wines. At the end of the day, we hope they remember that it’s the thought that counts, no matter the price. We have a wide selection of wines and price points for you to explore in our online store. No matter if your recipient likes dry or sweet, we have something for everyone.

How Much Wine Do I Give as a Gift

You really can’t go wrong with a single, thoughtfully chosen, bottle or two. But sometimes, volume says more than price, and several bottles of a less expensive wine (maybe even a case) could mean more to someone than one expensive bottle. For example, if you’re buying wine for a newbie, a mixed case of different colors and grape varieties could offer them a helpful introduction to several styles.

Are you buying for someone who enjoys entertaining with wine, often throwing large parties? A half-case of a white, and a half-case of a red could be perfect to help them host their next gathering. On the other hand, if the person prefers hosting intimate dinners or small wine-tasting groups with like-minded people, they might prefer a single showpiece wine. One option for you to explore could be our Reserve wines! These white wines are sure to be a favorite, go-to for the host or hostess on your list. Looking for a mix of red and white? Our Coastline line is a great option if you want a split case of a nice dry red and white or our Simply series if you want something a little more sweet. 

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While that was a lot of information to take in and there is a lot to consider the person you are sending the gift to will be grateful no matter what that you were thinking of them. Still unsure or want some guidance? Stop by one of our tasting rooms and one of our wine consultants can help you pick out the perfect bottle (or two) for the person you are buying for. The best part is that you can even have a taste before you purchase! Not local? Send a note to wines@stjulian.com and we can help you with your purchase.