2021 DuVine Holiday Gift Guide
Written by James JungEach year, DuVine guides put together some of their favorite gift ideas culled from the field–and our latest iteration certainly doesn’t disappoint. From cycling accessories to cocktail mixers, Italian pastries to Iberian olive oils, here are twelve unexpected items sure to delight the foodies, fitness fans, travelers, and oenophiles on your list.
Wahoo Kickr Headwind | $249.99
If the pandemic proved anything, it’s that indoor cycling is here to stay. And while we’ll always opt for a cruise along circuitous Tuscan roads or just a quick jaunt around the neighborhood, there certainly is something to be said about the efficiency of an hour-long trainer workout—especially in the depths of winter.
Smart trainers like the Wahoo Kickr enable riders to dial in all the data and leverage each session toward big fitness gains, but what do you do about turning your apartment or house into a sweat lodge? Enter the Kickr Headwind. By syncing to speed and heart rate, this optimized vortex fan mirrors the intensity of a rider’s effort, thus keeping you cool and your spouse sane as you train for the summer of big rides ahead.
Terrapin Saddle Bag | $179
Sure, who wouldn’t want to exclusively train on fully-supported rides? But unless you’re a TDF contender, most of us don’t ride with a van and a fleet of mechanics in tow. DIY remains the name of the game for most cyclists, and the longer the trip the more gear one has to haul—from tubes and C02 cartridges to energy bars and warmer layers.
That’s why Tom Coppock, DuVine’s Italian General Manager + Tour Guide, loves the Terrapin8L. Light, sturdy, and relatively sleek for a bag boasting such big volume, it’s the perfect companion for long hauls. Or, as Tom puts it: “They fit on any bike, don’t wobble too much and keep things nice and dry. My wife Arien and I created the Dolomites Journey trip, riding the whole route with just these bags.”
Nonino L’Aperitivo Liqueur | $38.50
Move over Aperol and Campari, the superior spritz requires Nonino L’Aperitivo.
Lightly bitter, with notes of citrus, grapes, and rhubarb, this saffron-hued liqueur provides a deliciously subtle backbone to any effervescent aperitivo.
Tom Coppock is a fan: “Mix it with some tonic and prosecco and it’s way better than a spritz—lots of flavor, less sugar, makes you feel way more adult.”
Panettone | $75
Pastries, carbs, coffee—this is the stuff of life to any sinewy cyclist, especially in Italy.
Come Christmas time, Italians obsess over Panettone—a Milanese sweet bread noted for its airy, double fermented sourdough that’s packed with raisins, candied oranges, and flecks of Tahiti Bourbon vanilla. It’s decadent, yet somehow feels guilt free, particularly to folks who use it to fuel a ride.
Though Italian Tour Manager Tom Coppock believes its best enjoyed after dinner. “If you don’t eat three to four of these in late-night binges, returning to the kitchen to secretly sneak another piece, justifying it with the ‘it’s mostly air’ excuse, it’s not truly Christmas in Italy.”
Racing Weight Cookbook | $16.59
At DuVine, we love to indulge. What’s better than sampling all the local cuisine a region has to offer? But sometimes, as cyclists, we’ve got to push back from the table and limit the calories. This couldn’t be more true than when the road tilts upward.
That’s why guide Marco Lombardi, who helms many of our hardest Challenge Tours, suggests the Racing Weight Cookbook.
Packed with over 100 healthy recipes, this dietary bible is geared toward the serious endurance athlete who wants to get lean while fueling their workouts with an optimized mix of carbs, fat, and protein.
Chêne Bleu Wine | $50+
Perched 1,600 ft above the valley floor, in the rolling, limestone and clay foothills of Mont Ventoux (aka “The Giant of Provence,” and one of the TDF’s most iconic climbs), Chêne Bleu is a family-owned vineyard producing exceptional, single-estate “couture wines.”
Rooted in 500 years of history, but blending the most modern of sustainable, organic, and biodynamic practices in their winemaking process, they’re a favorite hidden gem of DuVine’s France Operations + Guide Manager (not to mention Provençal local) Radka Ramain.
The result of their painstaking process? Grenach/Syrah Reds and Rosés, Burgundy-style whites, each rich with subtle flavor, fruity notes, and often a brooding depth reflective of the UNESCO-protected region.
Neatcleats Shoe Carrier | $64
No matter how sleek and comfortable a pair of cycling shoes look while riding, we can all agree that they’re awkward off the bike. And they’re cumbersome to pack.
Neat Cleats solves that problem by giving you an easy way to tote around your kicks, while also solving the cleat arrangement conundrum.
Replete with a ruler, the Align+ allows you to make accurate cleat adjustments or cleat swap outs on the fly, ensuring you replicate the same position again and again without suffering from knee pain or other nagging, cycling-related misalignment injuries. And according to DuVine guide Marco Lombardi, they also serve as a great beer bottle opener if you’re in a pinch.
Wescott Bay Oysters | $130
Skip traditional fare and give the gift of San Juan Islands oysters this seasons.
Westcott Bay Shellfish harvest their bivalves daily, each one hand-selected by the farm crew and bursting with a sweet brininess. And they’re happy to ship them your way in time for the Holidays.
Go for the Island Collective Box, complete with five dozen petite pacific oysters, and one 1.7 oz bottle of Island Pear Shrub.
Assos Winter Jacket | $369
Based in Lugano, luxury kit purveyors Assos combine Swiss precision with Italian style.
However, there’s nothing superfluous about their Mille GT Ultraz Winter Jacket Evo, an outer layer that’s as utilitarian as they come. Designed for the harshest of winter riding conditions, this jacket features different blends of NEOS textiles to ensure you keep warm, all while optimizing aerodynamics, breathability, and lightweight construction.
We love the plush inner layer, which makes us feel like we’re putting on a finely-tailored suit jacket each time we kit up.
Oakley Kato Sunglasses | $291
Making their debut at last summer’s TDF, the Oakley Kato might look a bit Back to the Future, but these frameless shades couldn’t be more of the moment.
Designed to hit your face as closely as possible, thus providing a wider field of view, the Kato is also incredibly customizable, with an adjustable rake allowing you to tilt the lenses for the perfect bridge and cheek fit.
Ideal for long, sunny days in the saddle, they already have us dreaming of the cycling season ahead.
