Photo by Rikkia Hughes, via UnSplash
This Father’s Day, make the dads in your life feel really special with a distinctive, winery-worthy bottle of red wine from Napa Valley’s Robert Mondavi Winery or To Kalon Vineyard Company, or Tuscany’s Ruffino. These unique, high-quality offerings from historic brands are delicious and sure to impress any oenophile parent. Pair each with thoughtful and personalized cooking and winemaking 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 wine from the Robert Mondavi winery, whose name always indicates quality. Cabernet Sauvignon Estates displays freshness and complexity while maintaining the beautiful varietal character of Oakville’s Napa Valley fruit. This wine presents aromas of dark berries, plum, chocolate, nutmeg and subtle oak, giving way to an expressive palate of black plum, black berries and blueberries, with well-integrated tannins and a beautiful flow from entry to finish. Combine this gift with the Cuisinart EvolutionX Cordless 4-in-1 Wine Opener ($69.95). As a regular wine opener, this cordless and rechargeable opener blows my mind. It’s absolutely effortless! Everything you need to enjoy your wine to the fullest is here in this product. Open up to 50 bottles on a single charge. Included are a foil cutter that quickly and neatly removes aluminum seals, an aerator to remove the taste of the wine and a conservator to preserve freshness. To recharge, simply plug the USB cable into the port.
Robert Mondavi Winery Estates Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 2019, Photo: Fran Miller
Cuisinart EvolutionX 4-in-1 Cordless Wine Opener. Photo courtesy of Cuisinart
For the parent who takes hosting very seriously
A Kalon Vineyard Company Eliza’s 2019 (SRP: $200) Kalon Vineyard Company’s “Eliza’s” cuvée is a blend of Cabernet Franc (one of the most underrated varieties in my opinion) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Combined, the two varieties show the strength and spirit of this historic site at the foot of the Mayacamas Mountains in the Napa Valley. This blend produces one of the most compelling examples of Napa Valley wine, with the Cabernet Franc bringing notes of exotic spices 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 proudly displayed. Weight in hand, its weight is illustrative of the gravity of the wine. Combine this gift of wine with the Cuisinart Private Reserve 16-Bottle Wine Cellar ($499.95), a 16-bottle private reserve cellar that combines technological sophistication with ease and comfort. Designed to fit on the counter, this slim, compact wine cellar holds 16 bottles of wine or champagne in contoured chrome racks. The two compressorless thermoelectric cooling systems cool quietly and efficiently. Touchscreen controls on each exterior door allow you to select settings from 39°F to 68°F for two-zone cooling at two different temperatures.
A 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 grilling partner
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro ($39.99): Produced only in exceptional vintages since 1947, this wine is made from hand-harvested grapes, primarily from the Gretole di Ruffino estate in Italy’s Chianti Classico region. Ruby red in color with garnet nuances, and powerfully aromatic, this wine is elegant and structured. Fruit, tannins and spices form a tight balance, with a lingering finish of chocolate and coffee. It pairs well with traditional Italian dishes like pasta bolognese, but it’s just as great with barbecue favorites like grilled rib eye. Which brings me to this pairing suggestion: The Sur La Table 4-Piece BBQ Tool Set ($129.95) help dad maneuver the food around the grill to get a perfect sear. Even barbecue experts know that a large fryer is a complex process, and this set is designed to help perfect that process. Includes a spatula, fork, brush and tongs, each with ergonomic polymer handles and durable stainless steel construction. The included aluminum storage box is the perfect way to keep your tools safe and secure.
Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro. Photo: Fran Miller
On the table 4-piece barbecue tool set. Photo courtesy of Sur La Table
