Here are a few local gift ideas that can be found easily for those hard-to-by-for folk
Wine makes a wonderful gift for Christmas. One can buy wine in an enormous range of prices, so there is something to suit every budget, for sure.
Discounts on Cases of Wine – At this time of year, many wineries are offering cases of wine at huge discounts. Muccigrosso Vineyards has a Holiday Case at a “deep discount” for $250 (normally valued at $360). Detailed information is not on their website but you can contact them at muccigrosso.com.
Pelican Ranch Winery will be running a deal on their Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir—$60 for a four-pack. Their tasting room in Capitola is open every weekend. Visit pelicanranch.com for more info.
Wooden Box Gift Packs by Big Basin Vineyards – Create customized wine gift packs with beautiful pine wood boxes with the Big Basin Vineyards branding. The winery will include a box free of charge for any order of three bottles of wine of $130 minimum value. Visit bigbasinvineyards.com.
Wine Club Membership – For your wine-loving friends and family, a wine club membership at your favorite local winery would make a great gift and many wineries offer different levels of membership at varying prices. Or head to Vinocruz and choose wine from their enormous range of local wines. Vinocruz.com.
Private Limo Tour of Wineries – Take your own personal wine tour in a private limo. Blue Water Sedans & Limousines is based in Soquel and offers all shapes and sizes of cars—and all shapes and sizes of drivers! I’m sure you could fit most of your family into one of Blue Water’s big stretch limos. Visit blue-water-limo.com.
Bourbon-laced Food – If you’re not into wine, then bourbon might just be what you’re looking for. The True Olive Connection now carries a line by Bourbon Barrel Foods containing real Kentucky Bourbon. Try the Kentuckyaki, a “Kentucky-style” teriyaki sauce with bourbon, or check out the gift baskets with a whole line of Bourbon Barrel Foods products, including salts, peppers and spices. Visit trueoliveconnection.com for info.
Kuumbwa Jazz Gift Certificates – Another great gift would be tickets to a concert at the wonderful Kuumbwa Jazz in Santa Cruz. Kuumbwa also offers gift certificates, gift memberships, and Kuumbwa merchandise such as hats, T-shirts and original artwork jazz cards by local artists Marvin Plummer and Kimberly Parrish. Or take your loved ones to a concert and treat them to dinner as well at Kuumbwa. Visit kuumbwajazz.org or call 427-2227 for more info.
