Father's Day Gift Guide 2025: Unusual White Wines

Forbes

14-06-2025

Savagnin is an unusual white variety that's perfect for celebrating Father's Day.
White wines aren't always associated with Father's Day, but these full-bodied white wines offer tastes that appeal to both white and red wine drinkers. These wines are different from the typical Sauv Blanc and Chardonnays. Here's a roundup of some more unusual wines to gift your father:
Johan Vineyards 2023 Savagnin, $42
Reminiscent of Johan's beloved Chardonnay, but with more minerality and a very long finish. In 2017, Morgan was asked to 'care for' 200 baby Savagnin vines coming straight from the Foundation of Plant Sciences at UC Davis – the first of this grape variety in the US, as Savagnin grapes are native to the Jura region in eastern France.
This delicious Viognier comes from a sustainable winery with a LEED-certified tasting room.
Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden 2023 Viognier, $40
Cowhorn grows grape varietals historically associated with the Rhône River wine region of France. Just a few miles north of California, the property is home to a LEED-certified tasting room, notably awarded a Living Building Certification. This lush Viognier offers aromas of sea mist, oyster shells, and Comice pears are layered with citrus peel, jasmine, and lemon thyme.
This refreshing white wine pairs nicely with grilled and barbecued dishes.
Kendall-Jackson 2024 Vintner's Reserve Chenin Blanc, $17
Chenin Blanc is a refreshing summertime sip, that any dad will love to pair alongside a Father's Day BBQ spread. Chenin Blanc is a crisp and fruity wine, making it the perfect pair for rich, grilled meats so that after an indulgent bite, it is a refreshing and cleansing sip. This wine is also a great gift for the basketball obsessed dad, as Kendall-Jackson is the official wine partner of the NBA.
This enticing Viognier is made to be paired with aromatic dishes.
Bricoleur Vineyards 2024 Kick Ranch Viognier, $40
Bursting with heady aromas of orange blossom, honeysuckle, and ripe stone fruit, this Viognier is all about vibrant aromatics and texture, making it a natural match for fragrant dishes like coconut curry, grilled peaches with burrata, or lemongrass chicken. 'Viognier is one of the most aromatic and textured white varieties we grow, but also one of the most challenging,' says Tom Pierson, associate winemaker. 'At Kick Ranch, the warm days and cool nights give that rare balance—tropical fruit, floral intensity, and freshness. Our goal is always to let the grape speak for itself.'
Just over 100 cases of this wine were made.
Larkmead Vineyards 2023 Chenin Blanc $75
For the dad who appreciates the unexpected, Larkmead's 2023 Estate Chenin Blanc is a standout gift. Sourced from their forward-thinking Research Block, this rare Napa white offers vibrant acidity, subtle oak richness, and layers of green apple, pear, and lime leaf. With only 107 cases made, it's as exclusive as it is expressive—a lively, sophisticated bottle that reflects the vineyard's legacy of innovation and is perfect for dads who value both tradition and trailblazing.
This captivating white wine comes from Napa Valley.
Silverado Vineyards 2023 Borreo Ranch Kerner, $42
Kerner is rarely found in California, and Silverado's expression of this aromatic German variety is both unexpected and captivating. Grown in the historic Borreo Ranch Vineyard, this bottling is bursting with notes of white peach and orange blossom, and layered with lemon, lime, stone fruit, honeysuckle, and golden delicious apple. A precise backbone of acidity adds vibrancy, while a crisp, mineral finish brings a refined edge. It's an exuberant yet structured white that's as rare as it is refreshing.
This Chenin Blanc hails from Monterrey County.
Chalone Vineyard 2024 Estate Chenin Blanc, $52
Some might consider Chenin Blanc to be a rising star in the United States but few producers can claim the legacy and terroir-driven intensity of Chalone Vineyard. Perched in the remote Gabilan Mountains, Chalone's estate vines yield a wine that's intensely aromatic—jasmine, pineapple, passion fruit, and orange blossom leap from the glass. On the palate, a creamy texture is perfectly counterbalanced by zippy acidity, showcasing a masterful balance that speaks to both the site's limestone-rich soils and the vineyard's storied past.
This lovely white wine is perfect for pairing with grilled pork, which makes it a great choice for a ... More Father's Day barbecue.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Wines 2023 Gruner Veltliner, $20
This lovely German varietal hails from the Finger Lakes wine region. It is grown in a sustainable vineyard, and it offers cool scents of guava, rosewater, and candied lime with touches of apricot and papaya on the finish. This sleek wine pairs beautifully with cheese, pork and grilled veggies.
Meadows Estate makes some fantastic Viogniers, including this lovely expression.
Meadows Estate Vineyard and Winery 2024 Wild & Free Viognier, $27
This lovely Viognier is a full-bodied white wine with floral aromas that offers rich, lush apple, pear, tangerine and pineapple aromas. 'Wine is often associated with celebration and gratitude, making it a fitting way to toast your dad and everything he's done,' says Marilyn Meadows, winery owner. This Viognier, she says, pairs perfectly with food, especially fish, seafood and summer dishes.
This Australian white wine blend makes for a sophisticated gift.
Tournon 2022 Mathilde, $21
For the dad who loves something a little different, this Rhône-style blend of Viognier and Marsanne from Tournon in Australia delivers layers of stone fruit, spice, and a hint of honey. It's a versatile food wine—perfect with grilled sea bass or roast chicken—and a refreshing change of pace from the usual reds.
Rioja isn't just good for deep, complex red wines - it also is home to some stellar whites.
Conde Valdemar 2024 Blanco, $17.99
While the Rioja wine region of Spain is known for its Tempranillos, the region also makes some amazing wine wines.Produced primarily from Viura, with Malvasia, Sauvignon Blanc, and Garnacha, this Blanca has a savory complexity, and textured elegance with its white fruit, delicate almond tree flowers, and herbal-balsamic tones. This wine is a true expression of the freshness that Rioja holds within its soils,' says Antonio Orte, winemaker. 'It's a highly drinkable, versatile wine."
Unfined, unfiltered, and aged in stainless steel and neutral oak, this white blend is all about ... More vibrancy.
Neighborhood Winery 2024 Harvest Moon White Wine Blend, $35
This Father's Day, toast the guy who does it all with a wine as balanced and refreshing as he is. Harvest Moon merges Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Pali Wine Co. 's organically farmed Pali Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, crafted in homage to the laid-back charm of Portuguese Vinho Verde and Basque Country Txakolina styles. This wine is aged briefly in stainless steel and neutral oak, offering aromas of wet stone, green apple, and gooseberry.
This refreshing white wine is from Oregon.
Cedar + Salmon 2024 Pinot Gris, $18.99
This Willamette Valley white wine offers delicate aromas of crushed gravel, white flowers and a burst of lime zest over fresh melon. Crisp and refreshing, it pairs beautifully with seafood, goat cheese and herbaceous and citrus-forward dishes.
This is a lovely white blend from France.
Alain Jaume 2024 Grand Veneur Côtes du Rhône
Crafted from a mix of Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier and Roussanne grapes, this Rhône Valley white wine offers aromas of flowers and stone fruits. It is a lively white wine that's great for pairing with fish and seafood.