Late but great Father's Day gift ideas

Whether Dad enjoys sitting back with a glass of wine, a weekend away or clever gadgets, here are some great Father’s Day gift choices that are far better than a dodgy bottle of port, or a pair of socks he'll never wear. 

Nifty Knife

Tiny, trendy, fun and diverse:  I’ve already found several occasions to use my new Classic Colours Collection knife by Victorinox.

With names like Smashed Avocado, Tropical Surf and Cotton Candy, these 30 small pocket knives are both colourful and an easy addition to Dad’s key ring. Just 58mm long, the small pocket knives feature a blade, a nail file, a screwdriver, scissors and a key ring. All Cellidor models also include tweezers and a toothpick.

Both functional and stylish, there are also matching accessories in the form of five different leather pouches or, as a special highlight, five fun silicone cases.

The Classic Colours Collection Cellidor Swiss Army Knife costs $47.95. Available now at www.victorinox.com.au

                                                                  The real thing

If Dad likes a good whisky but is also keen on the environment, Glengoyne - with a history dating back to 1833 - are the first whisky producers to announce a 100% recyclable and smart re-usable packaging solution.

With Loch Lomond in the distance, the Glengoyne Distillery is just 25km north of Glasgow and all the new packaging materials have been sourced close to their home base and are sustainability approved.

Glengoyne, available at Dan Murphy's and BSW stores in Australia, boasts it is Scotland's slowest distilled malt whisky. Each whisky is matured for a minimum off six years in custom-made oak casks.

Glengoyne's range includes 10, 12-, 21-, 25- and 30-Year-Olds, plus the highly awarded special releases including Cask Strength and Legacy Series. See www.glengoyne.com

                                                     Oaks Hotels weekends away

How about treating Dad to a weekend away as a special Father’s Day gift?

Oaks Hotels has 55 destinations across Australia and New Zealand and offers e-gift cards for a future getaway or a meal to remember at one of Oaks’ restaurants, cafes or bars.

Destinations close to Sydney range from Oaks Cypress Lakes in the Hunter Valley to Oaks The Entrance Waterfront Suites on the Central Coast or The Oaks Port Stephens Pacific Blue Resort.

Options further afield for post lockdown include Cable Beach in West Australia and Glenelg Beach in South Australia.

Guests can also rest assured that bookings can be cancelled free of charge thanks to a flexible booking policy. www.oakshotels.com/en/fathers-day

                                                             Coravin Pivot

Coravin is the company that pioneered wine preservation tools and its new slim-line Pivot model promises to keep still wine fresh for up to four weeks.

Unlike other Coravin devices, this innovative tool uses a stopper to seal the bottle and is compatible with all still wine closure types and bottle shapes.

Coravin’s award-winning patented technology replaces poured wine with the same food-grade argon gas used in the bottling process, preventing oxidation and preserving wine quality from the first pour to the last sip.

The Coravin Pivot is easy to use and is priced from $184.95. See www.coravin.com.au

                                                             A special cocktail

If Dad enjoys a gin and tonic after work, then he’ll probably enjoy trying some cocktails inspired by Warner’s Distillery in England.

Perhaps a Breakfast Martini, a twisted negroni, or maybe a rhubarb strudel with a toffee apple kick.

Ingredients: 50ml Warner’s Rhubarb Gin, 50ml cloudy apple juice. 25ml lemon juice, 20ml toffee sauce. Method: Shake all ingredients vigorously in a cocktail shaker with ice to create a foam and then strain into a coupe glass; garnish with a sprinkle of nutmeg and a slice of apple.

Warner’s Rhubarb Gin is $79.99 and Warner’s London Dry Gin is $69.99. Both are available exclusively from Dan Murphy’s stores or at www.danmurphys.com.au  

                                                             Something different

Spoil dad with a roast from The Duke of Clarence, throw in a British grocery treat, bottled cocktails or some unique grooming gifts from The Barber Shop. 

The Duke’s award-winning Sunday roasts include beef, pork, lamb, chicken and even a vegetarian-friendly pumpkin dish, all served in the traditional English style. You can add pigs-in-a-blanket as an extra treat; plus, there’s puddings, wines and beers.

Check out the brand-new British Grocery Store - purveying hard-to-find fresh produce, including gammon steaks, pork pies, pork sausages and even haggis, black pudding and white pudding for more gastronomic fathers.

Bottled cocktails include the Jasmine Tea Punch, a Chocolate Old Fashioned, a classic Negroni, and Irish Coffees, to cater to even the most discerning of drinkers.

 Or how about some home pampering from the venue co-owner’s bespoke range of Enright’s Original Gin-Scented Grooming Products. Check out https://thedukeofclarence.com/fathers-day-gifting-ideas

                                                 A wine trip

If Dad loves his wines, then how about buying him a special treat with a behind-the-scenes winery experience, masterclass, or gastronomic adventure in one of Australia’s world-class wine regions.

Or treat Dad to an unforgettable weekend away with food foraging to blending experiences at one of the premium wineries within the Ultimate Wineries Australia collection.

New South Wales options for after lockdown include three of the Hunter Valley’s most iconic vineyards, Audrey Wilkinson, Brokenwood and Tyrrell’s as they team up to provide a memorable Hunter wine experience called Icons of the Hunter.

Or in Orange, treat Dad to a discovery of the secrets behind méthode traditionnelle Swift Sparkling at Printhie Wines.

The Sparkling Masterclass includes a private tasting of the Swift Sparkling range where you’ll taste 10-year-old sparkling wines and enjoy a three-course al fresco lunch.

For details see www.ultimatewineryexperiences.com.au

# This is an edited version of a story originally filed for Ciao Magazine in Sydney