Christmas and festive season entertaining guide 2025

From luxe drops to festive treats, here’s your guide to gifting, sipping and celebrating in style this silly season.

Christmas and the festive season in Australia call for sunshine-ready sips, elegant bottles, and festive bites that make entertaining effortless. Whether you’re shopping for discerning palates, building the ultimate drinks trolley or filling the table with nostalgic treats, this guide rounds up the standout gifts of the season — starting with the premium drops that deserve pride of place under the tree.

For the collector & lover of luxury

Morris of Rutherglen Tokay Barrel Single Malt Whisky — RRP $148

A conversation starter for even the most seasoned whisky devotee. Made entirely from local Australian ingredients and finished in prized fortified barrels that once held Morris’ 15-year-old Cellar Reserve Grand Topaque, this whisky is rich, elegant and award-winning. Expect toffee, mocha, soft caramel and a generous mid-palate — a true celebration dram.

Brand’s Laira Stentiford’s Shiraz 2018 — RRP $80

A remarkable gift from a vineyard planted in 1893. Stentiford’s Shiraz delivers depth and heritage in every sip, with plum, dark cherry, spicy vanilla and velvety tannins. It’s a collector’s dream bottle, perfect for anyone who appreciates the craftsmanship of historic vines.

Peter Lehmann Stonewell Shiraz 2018 — RRP $120

An Australian icon. Considered one of the world’s great Shiraz wines, Stonewell is powerful, dense and built to age beautifully. Think rich plums, spiced fruitcake, graphite tannins and a long, refined finish. For serious wine lovers, this is the premium gift of the season.

For the wine connoisseur

Peter Lehmann Wigan Riesling 2018 — RRP $50

Released with five years of bottle age, Wigan Riesling is pure, vibrant and gracefully evolving. Lime zest, delicate toast, natural acid and hints of honey make this a refined choice for lovers of elegant whites — and a wine that will keep rewarding for years.

Maison Lanson Le Black Création 258 Champagne — RRP $78

A timeless classic that brings effortless elegance to festive tables. Fresh, refined and celebratory, this cuvée is crafted with over 260 years of savoir-faire. A fail-safe gift for hosts, Champagne lovers, and anyone who appreciates tradition with flair.

Peter Lehmann The Barossan Rosé — RRP $26

Fragrant, refreshing and beautifully expressive. Think strawberries, white cherries, rose petals and watermelon with a gentle strawberry-cream texture. A summer-ready drop crafted from premium Barossa Grenache — ideal for warm-weather gifting.

For the cocktail lover

Edinburgh Gin Watermelon & Lime — RRP $78

Vibrant summer-in-a-glass. Juicy watermelon sweetness meets crisp lime, making this a refreshing base for spritzes, long drinks and warm-weather G&Ts. Perfect for your friend who hosts poolside.

Edinburgh Gin Strawberry & Pink Pepper — RRP $78

A beautifully balanced pink gin with jammy strawberry, subtle heat from pink peppercorns and classic botanicals. Serve with tonic and fresh strawberries for an elevated seasonal cocktail.

Chocolate in a Bottle — RRP $74.95

A French sparkling wine infused with Belgian chocolate and hazelnut — a showstopper for chocoholics. Low in alcohol and also available alcohol-free, it’s a fun, unexpected festive treat for those who love a twist.

Cockburn’s Tawny Eyes Port — RRP $35

A fresh, lively and modern take on classic tawny. Designed for mixing or sipping neat, Tawny Eyes is approachable, playful and perfect for creating festive cocktails (or gifting to your favourite experimental drinker).

For the Aussie bubble enthusiast

Peter Lehmann The Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz 2020 — RRP $50

A decadent take on an Australian favourite. With dark fruits, chocolate, vanilla and a touch of Christmas cake, this festive sparkling Shiraz is luscious, silky and perfect for long lunches or Christmas morning with ham. A glamorous twist on tradition.

Campbells Sparkling Shiraz — RRP $35

A quintessential Australian style, Campbells’ Sparkling Shiraz brings lifted plum fruit, earthy complexity, liquorice, mocha and a fine, persistent bead from traditional bottle fermentation. With its cork-and-muselet closure, it’s guaranteed to start your party with a festive pop. Smooth, rich and beautifully balanced — a must for Christmas morning.

Red Hill Estate Sparkling Rosé NV — RRP $22
Graceful, vibrant, and irresistibly fresh, this elegant Sparkling Rosé is sourced from premium cool-climate vineyards and gently pressed for its beautiful pale blush hue. Expect fine, delicate bubbles with fragrant notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, rose petals, and a hint of citrus zest. The lively palate bursts with red berries, soft stone fruit, and a whisper of savoury minerality. A gorgeous aperitif, it pairs perfectly with oysters, summer salads, soft cheeses, or charcuterie.

Red Hill Estate Sparkling Cuvée NV — RRP $22
Crafted from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this refined sparkling delivers delicate bubbles with aromas of crisp apple, citrus, wild strawberries, and toasted cashew. On the palate, it’s bright and vibrant with zesty citrus, crunchy apple, and gentle red berry notes, balanced by refreshing acidity and a fine mousse. Ideal as a pre-dinner drink and a beautiful match with seafood, charcuterie, or artisanal cheeses.

Red Hill Estate Prosecco NV — RRP $22
Effortlessly crisp and fashion-forward, this Prosecco is bright, refreshing, and made for celebrations. Expect vibrant notes of apple, pear, honeydew melon, delicate florals, and elegant bubbles. It pairs beautifully with oysters, antipasto, or even a bowl of truffle fries. Presented in striking red and gold-accented bottles, the Red Hill Estate sparkling collection is designed to elevate any occasion.

For festive entertainer

Brunetti Classico Christmas Gift Cake — $64.90

Brunetti Classico’s decadent showstopper designed for festive tables. Layers of silky milk chocolate mousse, rich dark chocolate crèmeux, hazelnut and rice bubble crunch, and a honey-spiced cake base are finished with a dark chocolate velvet spray and festive decorations. Ideal for gifting or sharing.

Brunetti Classico Christmas Classics Hamper — $99

The ultimate festive hamper featuring a mini panettone, traditional pangiallo packed with fruit and nuts, a gingerbread man, two fruit mince tarts, a festive star ornament and a Brunetti tote bag — beautifully wrapped and ready to gift.

Campbells Classic Rutherglen Muscat — RRP $40

A decadent fortified with an average age of 12–15 years, showing richness, raisin fruit, mellow oak and a luscious, lingering finish. This maturing style blends intense sweetness with elegant complexity — the perfect after-dinner indulgence or a beautiful gift for lovers of classic Australian fortifieds.

Morris of Rutherglen Classic Topaque — RRP $29

A luscious fortified with beautiful notes of toffee, honey, malt, treacle and preserved fig. Rich, complex and silky, it’s a standout dessert wine for Christmas pavlova, fruit mince tarts or after-dinner sipping.

Ferguson Plarre Christmas Range — From $12

An easy, delicious gifting option for teachers, neighbours, colleagues and last-minute drop-ins. The range includes classic Christmas pudding, yo-yos, gingerbread houses, ginger snap biscuits, fruit mince tarts, and even café-worthy coffee beans — all beautifully packaged in festive gift bags. A crowd-pleasing stocking stuffer selection.

Melbourne Arancini Garlic Prawn Arancini — From $39

A Christmas favourite returns for 2025. Handmade using a third-generation family recipe, Melbourne Arancini’s Garlic Prawn Arancini is filled with succulent Australian prawns, creamy béchamel, fragrant garlic, lemon zest, a touch of chilli and fresh parsley, all wrapped in a golden, crispy shell. Inspired by traditional Italian Christmas seafood dishes, these arancini are perfect for effortless entertaining. Pre-orders open Monday 17 November 2025 via melbournearancini.com.au.

The final pour

Whether you’re gifting a premium whisky, a heritage-born Shiraz, a playful pink gin or a beautifully wrapped gingerbread house, this year’s festive guide brings together the best bottles and treats to elevate your Christmas celebrations. Cheers to a season filled with flavour, generosity and unforgettable moments.