If you’re looking for some fun stocking stuffers this holiday season or a different take on an edible treat for Valentine’s Day, Tahoe has got you covered.
Sweet, savory and made with love from the lake, these homemade gifts appeal to anyone who likes good food, good wine, good sauce and good drink.
Check out Tahoe Magazine’s top 10 picks for locally made edible gifts, which you can find either at the companies themselves or at a variety of locations throughout the region. Now eat, drink and be merry this winter!
1. Small Batch Sauce Co., Incline Village
In 2014, longtime friends Andy Brimm and Eric Castaneda first realized their mutual love of enchilada sauces at Snowflake Lodge at Diamond Peak Ski Resort. Then in January 2018, they officially launched Small Batch Sauce Co. Available in three flavors — Rojo Enchilada, Verde Enchilada and Smokehouse Barbeque — Small Batch sauces are the perfect thing to dress up any Mexican dish or tri-tip sandwich.
Learn more: 775-833-1199
2. Tahoe House Bakery & Gourmet, Tahoe City
Around since 1977, the Tahoe House has been making sweet treats like Swiss kisses and almond chocolate biscotti, along with dressings, infused olive oils, tapenades, salsa, seasonings, bread and butter. This place carries an abundance of handmade food that’s great to share with loved ones over the holidays.
Learn more: tahoe-house.com
3. Truckee Sourdough Company, Truckee
Combining sea salt, water and fresh milled unbleached flour at 6,000 feet, Keith and Dianne Nikkel created some bread options unique to the Truckee-Tahoe area. The company’s baguettes, ciabattas, rounds, loafs and, of course, its most-popular sliced sourdough, can be found at grocery stores and outlets all over Northern California and Nevada.
Learn more: truckeesourdough.com
4. Truckee River Winery, Truckee
This family-owned business began 28 years ago when Russ and Joan Jones started it out of their two-car garage; they eventually expanded their winemaking operation to a 2-story red barn on the Truckee River. Swing by their tasting room at 11467 Brockway Road in Truckee and grab the “sweet and sassy” 2017 Maid of Honor white hybrid varietal or the award-winning Pinot Noir, or check out plenty of other TRW wines at local markets around Tahoe-Truckee.
Learn more: truckeeriverwinery.com
5. Baumann’s Swiss Chalet, South Lake Tahoe
Made with all-natural ingredients including mayonnaise, mustard, garlic, white wine vinegar, herbs and spices in a special blend, Baumann’s famous Swiss salad dressing originated at the Swiss Chalet restaurant but is now becoming a staple in people’s homes throughout Lake Tahoe.
Learn more: baumannswisschalet.com
6. Tahoe Truckee Jerky, Truckee
More than 30 flavors of dried meat are available to purchase in the Jerky Junction red caboose in front of Zano’s on Donner Pass Road in Truckee. The teriyaki beef jerky is the most popular, but exotic meats such as venison, elk, buffalo, and even mako shark and whiskey rabbit are for sale. The Squaw Candy dried salmon is a favorite among Squaw Valley skiers.
Learn more: tahoetruckeejerky.com
7. Tahoe Blue Vodka, South Lake Tahoe
Headquartered in South Lake Tahoe, this popular liquor’s main ingredient is pure Tahoe water and then blended with sugar cane, grapes and corn. Winning awards across the country in the biggest spirits competitions, people love Tahoe Blue for its purity, clarity and smoothness.
Learn more: tahoebluevodka.com
8. Tahoe Toffee Candy Company, South Lake Tahoe
Born out of a love of baking and putting together gift baskets for her former employer’s customers, Mindy Miller turned her side gig into a fulltime job by launching Tahoe Toffee Candy Company. Along with her sweet butter hard toffee staple, the company also sells caramel corn, honeycomb, peanut brittle and peppermint bark.
Learn more: tahoetoffee.com
9. Elevated Essentials, Truckee
Brewing up concoctions that help kick oncoming colds or just make you feel more energetic overall, Elevated Essentials sells the Fixer Elixir to fight colds and flus; elderberry syrup to boost immunity; and Beets Mode endurance drink mixes.
Learn more: instagram.com/elevated.essentials
10. Tahoe Teas, Carnelian Bay
This family-owned business sources the best organic, quality ingredients to come up with unique herbal tea blends that warm you up on a cold Tahoe day. Loose-leaf popular versions include the Tahoe Bliss, Tahoe Local, Tahoe Balance and the aromatic Tahoe Chai.
Learn more: tahoeteas.com