Isn’t it great when you can give a gift that will both delight the recipient and give back to some great causes? Here are a few ideas that are sure to do just that, some of which were sent for editorial consideration.
Fonseca Bin 27 Limited Edition Artisit Series for Waterkeeper Alliance. Fonseca Bin 27 Reserve Ruby Port was first created over a century ago and is today known as a leader in utilizing sustainable practices throughout the process of making their port. Their partnership with Waterkeeper Alliance, an organization dedicated to preserving clean waterways, and cleaning them up, for safe waters to drink, fish and swim in. This year’s artist series label features Portuguese graphic artist Sebastião Rodrigues (1929-1997) who focused on traditional graphic depictions in his work. The image is of a fisherman on the Douro River, a key port of trade for port for centuries. The bottle is available through December. Fonseca will donate $15,000 to Waterkeeper Alliance to help maintain clean waterways throughout the world.
A bottle of vodka makes a great hostess gift or gift for yourself and Skyy Vodka has created a velvety flocked bottle to give it a winter feel with proceeds benefiting amfAR (The American Foundation for AIDS Research) and available throughout the holidays.
One Hope Wines just passed the $1million dollar mark for donations to various charities including breast cancer research, research to help autism, help to end childhood hunger, clean water and supporting our troops with 50% of the profit from each bottle going to these charities. Now they are partnering with various celebrities on a signature series to give back to charities of the celebrities choice. Their first celeb is musician Darius Rucker for his charity, the Pattison’s Academy, a P.A.C.E. charter school helping children with disabilities.
If you haven’t tried the spirits produced by local guys, J.E.M. Beverage Company, now is the time to do so. Their Western Son 10 times distilled Texas vodka, sweet and spicy Sting Ray Spiced Rum and their newest product, Red River Texas Bourbon Whiskey, are made in their warehouse just outside of Addison, with distribution throughout the city, state and surrounding regions. A portion of the proceeds from each bottle sold goes to the Peter Burks’ Unsung Hero Fund, is dedicated to carrying on the legacy of 2LT Peter Burks, a friend of the J.E.M. team who lost his life serving his country in Iraq. The Unsung Hero Fund was set up to remember Pete and keep his legacy alive. The fund, managed by his dad and fiance, send care packages to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as provide humanitarian supplies for use in building connections with local citizens in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Penfolds Winery, one of the largest and consistently most popular in Australia, has been a partner to (RED) for the past two years, donating a portion of the profits of ever bottle of Koonunga Hill Chardonnay and Shiraz Cabernet to help the battle against AIDS throughout the world, fighting for an AIDS free generation. 15% of the profits go to help this incredible cause and help those in need. It is a perfect match to have the Koonuga Hill wines be a part of this campaign, as these reflect the style, philosophy and approach of Penfolds as a whole, with reliability and a dedication to giving back for causes they believe in at the forefront.
And, if you want to give back a bit and enjoy a toast or two, next Tuesday, December 11 the Hotel Palomar will host a holiday wine hour benefiting The North Texas Food Bank. For a $15 minimum donation you can toast around the tree with complimentary wine, festive craft cocktails & holiday bites from Central 214’s Chef Graham Dodds & mixologist Amber West. Can’t make it out, make a donation to the Food Bank online and mix up this tasty cocktail from Amber at your next holiday gathering.
The Conqueror
Created by mixologist Amber West of Central 214 (Dallas, TX)
1 3/4 oz Ron Abuelo 12 Años
1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Cognac Ambre
1/2 oz Grand Marnier
3/4 oz honey syrup
1/2 oz fresh lemon juice
Directions – Put all ingredients into shaker tin and shake vigorously to make sure the liquid is very cold. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a lemon peel.
