Ideal Gifts for the Oenophile Dad

Photo by Rikkia Hughes, via UnSplash

This Father’s Day, make the dads in your life feel truly special with a distinctive, cellar-worthy bottle of red wine from Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery or To Kalon Vineyard Company, or Tuscany’s Ruffino. These high-quality and unique offerings from heritage brands are delicious, and will surely impress any oenophile dad. Pair each with thoughtful, bespoke culinary and wine tools from Cuisinart and Sur La Table for a memorable, and useful, gift.

For the Dad Who Enjoys the Finer Things in Life

Robert Mondavi Winery Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2019 ($85): You can’t go wrong with a Robert Mondavi Winery wine, the name of which always indicates quality. The Estates Cabernet Sauvignon showcases freshness and complexity while maintaining the beautiful varietal character of fruit from Oakville’s Napa Valley. This wine boasts aromas of dark berries, plum, chocolate, nutmeg, and subtle oak, giving way to an expressive palate of black plum, black berry, and blueberry, with well-integrated tannins and a beautiful flow from entry to finish. Pair this gift with the Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless 4-in-1 Wine Opener ($69.95). As one who opens wine on the regular, this cordless, rechargeable opener amazes me. It’s absolutely effortless! Everything you need to maximize your wine enjoyment is here in this one product.. Open up to 50 bottles on a single charge. Included are a foil cutter that quickly and neatly removes foil seals, an aerator to bring out wine’s full flavor, and a preserver to retain freshness. To recharge, simply plug the USB cable into the port. 

Robert Mondavi Winery Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2019, Photo: Fran Miller

Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless 4-in-1 Wine Opener. Photo courtesy of Cuisinart

For the Dad Who Takes Hosting Very Seriously 

To Kalon Vineyard Company Eliza’s 2019 (SRP: $200) To Kalon Vineyard Company’s “Eliza’s” cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Franc (one of the most underrated varietals in my opinion) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Combined, the two varieties showcase the strength and spirit of this historic site at the foot of Napa Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains. This blend produces one of the most compelling examples of Napa Valley wine, with the Cabernet Franc bringing exotic spice notes and floral aromas, and the Cabernet Sauvignon providing weight, structure, and a deep, rich, black fruit character. Not to mention that this bottle itself is a scene stealer, and one to be proudly displayed. Weighty in the hand, its heft is illustrative of the wine’s gravitas. Pair this wine gift with the Cuisinart Private Reserve 16-Bottle Wine Cellar ($499.95), a 16-Bottle Private Reserve Wine Cellar that combines technological sophistication with ease and convenience. Designed to fit on the countertop, this compact, slim-line wine cellar cradles 16 bottles of wine or Champagne on contoured chrome racks. The two thermoelectric, compressor-free cooling systems chill quietly and efficiently. Touchscreen controls on each outer door let you select settings from 39°F to 68°F for dual zone cooling at two different temperatures.

To Kalon Vineyard Company Eliza’s 2019. Photo: Fran Miller

Cuisinart Private Reserve 16-Bottle Wine Cellar. Photo courtesy of Cuisinart

For the Dad Who Needs a Grill Partner

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro ($39.99): Produced only in outstanding vintages since 1947, this wine is made from grapes harvested by hand, mostly from Ruffino’s Gretole estate in Italy’s Chianti Classico region. Ruby red with garnet hues, and powerfully aromatic, this wine is elegant and structured. The fruit, tannins, and spice form a tightly woven balance, with a lingering finish of chocolate and coffee. It pairs well with traditional Italian dishes such as pasta Bolognese, but is equally great with BBQ favorites, such as grilled ribeye. Which leads me to this pairing suggestion: The Sur La Table 4-Piece BBQ Tool Set ($129.95) helps dad maneuver food around the grill for that perfect sear. Even BBQ experts know that a great sear is a complex process, and this set is designed to help perfect that process. It includes a spatula, fork, basting brush, and tongs, each with ergonomic polymer handles and durable stainless-steel construction. The included aluminum storage case is the perfect way to keep the tools safe and secure.

Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro. Photo: Fran Miller

Sur La Table 4-Piece BBQ Tool Set. Photo courtesy of Sur La Table