Birthday Wine Gifts
For a birthday wine gift, send a bottle they can open with dinner that week: our 2021 Middle Reach Pinot Noir if they drink red, the 2021 Next Door Neighbor Chardonnay if they drink white, Shoshana Rosé if it's a summer birthday. For a milestone, a magnum.
The wines: birthday wine gifts
If they drink red
2021 Middle Reach Vineyards Pinot Noir
94 points and a Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast
If they drink white
2021 Next Door Neighbor Chardonnay
93 points and an Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast
For a summer birthday
2025 Shoshana Rosé of Pinot Noir
Whole-cluster pressed from estate Pinot Noir; about 100 cases
For a big birthday
2021 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay
Robb Report, Top 50 California Chardonnays of the Century
Sets and magnums
What is a good bottle of wine for a birthday?
One they can enjoy soon. A birthday bottle usually gets opened within weeks, and a 2021 has had time in bottle to settle. Our 2021 Middle Reach Pinot Noir (94 points and a Cellar Selection, Wine Enthusiast) is ripe raspberry and dried herb; the 2021 Next Door Neighbor Chardonnay (93 points and an Editor's Choice, Wine Enthusiast) is round, with golden apple and lemon curd.
What if you don't know what they drink?
Send one of each. The Introduction set holds our Shoshana Rosé, the 2021 Next Door Neighbor Chardonnay and the 2021 Middle Reach Pinot Noir, so there's something for whatever they're cooking.
What wine do you give for a 30th, 40th or 50th?
Go bigger: a magnum to share at the party, or a bottle with the number etched into the glass. The 2021 Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay, from vines older than most of the guests, makes the point well.
Good to know
What is a good birthday wine gift?
A bottle they can open soon. Domaine de la Rivière's 2021 Middle Reach Pinot Noir and 2021 Next Door Neighbor Chardonnay are its most-sent birthday bottles; the Introduction set holds one each of Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Is wine a good birthday gift for someone who doesn't drink much?
A single bottle of Rosé or a lighter Pinot Noir is a low-pressure choice, easy to open with a meal.
Do you make birthday wine gift baskets?
No baskets of crackers and cheese. Domaine de la Rivière sends wine chosen to go together instead: the Introduction set (Rosé, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), or a box of one to six bottles from the gift builder, with a handwritten note.
How long does wine take to arrive?
Order at least a week ahead. Wine ships by ground through Vinoshipper, an adult 21 or older signs for it, and it can't go to a P.O. box.