As the chilly weather and earlier sunsets roll around, perhaps like me, your mind is turning to the holiday season. When we pick out presents for our family and friends, we put such love and care into choosing the perfect gift.
When it comes to gifting in the workplace though, the task becomes much more complicated. How do you find something that feels meaningful for your employees or clients?
All too often, companies turn to giving corporate merch. And while the occasional free zip-up can be fun, doesn’t help you stand out, and doesn’t quite convey the personal touch you’re looking for. Enter: wine gifts.
Why Wine Makes the Perfect Corporate Holiday Gift
Wine has been such a point of connection for me in the workplace. Inevitably over a glass at happy hour, the subject of my wine studies comes up, and more often than not, it has fostered a deeper connection with my coworkers.
Everyone has something to talk about around the subject of wine, from sharing pictures of a vineyard visit on a recent international trip, to stories about a bachelorette party in Napa, to discussing the dream retirement of owning a vineyard. One of the things that makes wine so special is its ability to connect people – and that’s what makes it such a standout corporate holiday gift.
Wine bridges the personal and professional worlds; picking something thoughtful and tailored to your clients or employees can make them feel seen and appreciated, while still being a classic and appropriate gift in a corporate setting. Increasingly, studies show employees value experiential gifts over branded merchandise, and a tasting kit, a tasting event, or a wine education experience could be just what your recipient is looking for.
Plus, wine gifts can always be customized to reflect your company’s brand identity and to add a more personal touch, such as including a handwritten note. Lastly, wine gifts are excellent for corporate gifting because of the versatile price; from elegant single-bottles to curated tasting kits, or wine and food gift baskets, there is enough flexibility that any giver can find the gift that best suits their needs.
Top Corporate Holiday Wine Gift Ideas
So, which wine holiday gift should you choose? While there are infinite options, these are my favorites:
1. Single Premium Bottles
This is an excellent choice for high-value clients or key stakeholders. This gift really gives you the opportunity to show off how well you know your recipient; have they mentioned a region they like? Do they typically order red or white when you’ve gone out together?
Do they have an occasion coming up that they could use a nice sparkling wine for? Branded packaging and hand-written notes on the wine help elevate this gift to a memorable favorite.
Plus, you can encourage them to savor it over time by giving storage tips, or encourage them to share their gift with their partner or family by including pairing suggestions.
2. Wine Accessories
Accessories like custom glassware, decanters, or wine tools are a practical gift that also offer a branding opportunity. Every time I reach for my nice, custom corkscrew I received as a gift years ago, I think about the person who gave it to me.
3. Experiential Wine Gifts
Personally, these are my favorite. Gifting a private tasting (virtual or in-person), or a wine education session offers the best of both worlds – the gift of wine, plus the gift of in-person connection.
It’s a great opportunity for the team to connect out of the office, and to learn more about each other in a casual but informative setting.
Ordering a pizza and having a professional walk the team through a few different wines is a low lift to organize, but will be a memorable way to build relationships.
Final Tips for Successful Corporate Gifting
Once you’ve chosen the right gift, I have a few final tips. Handwritten notes make all the difference – a short description of the wine’s tasting notes, and a quick story about where it came from elevates your wine gift from generic to personal.
Plus, for small-scale gifts, including a personal message about what the team has accomplished this year, or how much the client relationship has meant to you is a surefire way to make your recipient feel seen and appreciated.
Logistically, always order early to ensure your gifts arrive on time, and be sure to consider possible alcohol restrictions if you’re shipping across state lines. As always, follow your compliance policies on spend thresholds, and perhaps consider a non-alcoholic alternative gift for recipients who abstain.
Also, be sure the wine you choose aligns with your company values and image – for example, if you’re focused on sustainability, showcase a winery that practices organic or regenerative farming.
How Albatross Wines Can Help
Of course, Albatross Wines is here to help make your corporate holiday gift exceptional. We offer exclusive, curated selections, flexible formats (bottles, kits, corporate bundles), and handle all the logistics, from packaging (incorporating your logo and message, and our wine expertise) to delivery.
Holiday gifts aren’t just a to-do item to be checked off the list; they’re an opportunity to deepen relationships and show your employees or clients how much you appreciate them. Albatross Wines will help you find the perfect, sophisticated, personalized wine gift - contact us today to start planning your holiday gift, whether it be a single, beautifully packaged bottle, a tasting event for the whole company, or anything in between.
