/ by Stephanie Burnette / photography by Robert Bradley
Yes, you can bring a bottle of wine, but a wine accouterment shows effort. Technology and craft share real estate on this gift list built for your favorite wine head. Every item is available locally, so gift away this winter and shop small. It’s time to sip something fermented and these gifts will add to an evening’s ambiance.
As I write about food and drink in the South, and eat in charming, curated restaurants, bars and boutique hotels, I take note of what’s in the hand of staff and how tabletop style has shifted and leveled up. Items of oenology no longer reside in drawers but have become celebrated items of décor and whimsy.
But let’s not discount function; a high-performance tool is a gift that keeps on giving. Sustainable home décor is on-trend too and upcycled gifts can feel especially thoughtful. Kitchen stores and bottle shops are great places to find wine gifts but don’t dismiss stopping by gift stores and décor shops. Many have dedicated areas for high-end beverage items. This season, it’s about ease of entertainment: the pull of a cork, a bottle well-chilled, and the memories that occur over a toast with friends leaning against a counter, because we all end up standing in the kitchen.
Here are our recommendations for the best wine gifts available in the Upstate. These products are available at the following local retailers:
Wine gift recommendations
