Appellation, Competition, Event, Festivals, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Vineyards, Wine, Winery

Thirty-Seven is #1!!!

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Celebrating the amazing accomplishments of the wine producers who work with high-quality fruit from the Petaluma Gap AVA with my dear friend, superstar winemaker Shane Finley for Thirty-Seven Wines! The Cabernet Franc that he made for owners Al and Lisa Brayton, just won the Best Red Wine at the 2026 Sonoma County Harvest Fair, and the amazing Reserve Pinot Noir and Malbec wines we discuss in this show also won Double Golds awards with 95+ Points and higher at this year’s competition as well!

To taste these wines, and so many other world class wines, come join me and all the other big fans of Petaluma Gap wines, at the annual Wind to Wine festival event happening Saturday, October 17th at the beautiful rustic Gambonini Ranch in Petaluma!!!

Follow this link for more information & TICKETS before they sell out!!!

People, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Video, Wine, Winery

Log-on to SRJC in Spring 2027 for WINE SALES!

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Hey gang, do you want to learn about the history and status of the wine sales industry? Join me online at SRJC!

I will be teaching WINE 101: Wine Sales, an 8-week synchronous virtual course at Santa Rosa Junior College, beginning Tuesdays, January 13th though March 3rd-which means you can join me from anywhere with your device!

Spring 2027 will be my second year with the Wine Studies Department and teaching this interesting course, with creative assignments, and very special wine industry guests! Plan to apply & register in early November.

Hope to see you there on ZOOM! Cheers, Chris

Event, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vineyards, Virtual, Wine, Winery

Quench Live! Sonoma Leaders & Legacy

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In case you missed it, here is the Quench Live! Sonoma Leaders & Legacy episode from September 9 I did with Andrea Immer Robinson for a deep dive into the cellars and souls of two Sonoma icons – Hanzell & Bacigalupi – who helped write Sonoma’s, and California’s, post Prohibition rise to global fame!

Event, Food, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Varietal, Vlog, Wine, Winery

St. Francis Hosts Zinfandel & Rosé on September 18th!

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The joy of Zinfandel and Rosé! Our next Pour+Explore will embrace the “Summer Meets Fall” theme at St. Francis Winery on Friday September 18th getting into some varietal details with their star winemaker Katie Madigan here on The Varietal Show.

Featuring a slew of wineries as well as members of ZAP & WDCV, serving their finest Dry Rosé Delights and a brilliant collection of Zinfandel wines for all of us that evening!!! See the list of wineries and get your TICKETS while you can.

Event, History, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Virtual, Wine

Quench Live: Sonoma Leadership & Legacy with Chris Sawyer September 9

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Some wine families don’t just make great wine, they help write the history of an entire region.

Join us Wednesday, September 9, from 5:30-6:30 PM PT, live at the CIA at Copia in Napa (or streaming on YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn), as Andrea Robinson sits down with Sonoma County sommelier, educator, and journalist Christopher Sawyer to explore the leadership and legacy behind two of Sonoma County’s most important wine families: Hanzell Vineyards and Bacigalupi Vineyards.

Hanzell’s 1953 vines are believed to be the oldest continually producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines in the Western Hemisphere (let that sink in), and Bacigalupi’s fruit helped make the Chardonnay that famously beat top white Burgundies at the 1976 Judgment of Paris. We’ll be joined by Hanzell’s Head Winemaker Michael McNeill and Bacigalupi’s Nicole Bacigalupi Dericco, third-generation winegrower and Operations Manager, for their own take on the families’ stories.

We’ll taste through six wines side by side, including Hanzell’s 2011 “Ambassador” Chardonnay (poured from magnums!), Bacigalupi’s 2023 “Renouveau” Chardonnay, and both wineries’ Pinot Noirs.

Two families, six wines, decades of Sonoma history in the glass. We can’t wait to taste through this lineup with our winery guests. Join us, either in person at Copia or streaming from wherever you are, get your TICKETS for September 9th!


Event, Food, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Varietal, Vineyards, Wine, Winery

Summer Meets Fall: Rosé & Zinfandel Tasting on Sept 18th!

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Join us for Pour + Explore: Rosé + Zinfandel — Summer Meets Fall, an evening celebrating two distinctive sides of Sonoma County wine. Sip vibrant Rosés that capture the bright, refreshing flavors of summer alongside bold, expressive Zinfandels perfectly suited to the season ahead.

Enjoy a walk-around tasting featuring wines from Sonoma County wineries. Light appetizers will complement the wines as you take in the beautiful surroundings of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards and connect with fellow wine lovers. Get your TICKETS!

Participating Wineries include Alexander Valley Vineyards, Breathless Sparkling Wines, Christopher Creek Winery, Comstock Wines, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Gamba Vineyards & Winery, Kunde Family Winery, Limerick Lane Cellars, Marchelle Wines, Martinelli Winery, Mascarin Family Wines, Papapietro Perry Winery, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Solo Nostro Wines, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley & MORE!

Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Wine, Winery

Creating magical moments with vintage Zin!

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Enjoy these video and pictures from this epic Zinfandel Tasting & Luncheon was held on August 25th, hosted by our Sawyer-Casale Wine Education Team, at the The Firehouse to honor the great Rebecca Robinson! She was an amazing proponent and leader for the ZAP movement, and in July retired from her brilliant 30-year career as the Executive Director of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers.

It was a true pleasure to taste, share and discuss top wines from that three decade span with the all-star cast of Zinfandel’s finest producers who joined us at this very special event!


Event, Food, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Vineyards, Vlog, Wine, Winery

Marvelous Marchelle Wines on THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Tasting the wonderful 2026 releases from Marchelle Wines with winemaking legend Greg La Follette and the talented Evan Damiano at the fabulous new tasting room which just opened this month. Discussing the exciting new Pour+Explore tasting “Aromatic Whites & Rose Delights”we will all be at on Thursday evening, Aug 20th, at Banshee Wines in Geyserville!

See the rock-star winery list and get your TICKETS before this exclusive summer tasting sells out!

Event, Food, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Varietal, Vineyards, Wine, Winery

Pour+Explore Rosés & Aromatic Whites Tasting on Thursday August 20th!

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Join me and Sonoma County Vintners for a relaxed evening at Banshee Wines estate in Alexander Valley as we celebrate the vibrant character of Rosés and Aromatic White Wines on Thursday August 20th, 5:30-7:30pm.

With attendance limited to just 100 guests, this Special Edition of Pour + Explore offers a more intimate opportunity to meet winery representatives, explore distinctive wines, and experience the beauty of Sonoma County wine country at your own pace. Get your TICKETS!

Featured Wineries include Balletto Vineyards, Banshee Wines, Breathless Wines, Christopher Creek Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, G & C Lurton Vineyards, Hearth Wines, Lasseter Family Winery, Marchelle Wines, Mascarin Family Wines, Naidu Wines, Ridge Vineyards, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Talisman Wine, Thumbprint Cellars, Vaughn Duffy Wines & MORE!!!

Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Vineyards, Wine, Winery

Festa Italia di Healdsburg on August 16th!

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Located at Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, Festa Italia di Healdsburg is a one-day celebration of Italian grape varieties farmed in California.

Attendees will enjoy a grand tasting of California wineries specializing in Italian varietals, alongside a curated selection of Italian-inspired vendors and cultural experiences. VIP Pass Holders can attend Winemaking Panel with Chris Sawyer & Viticulture Panel with Ryan Knowles, plus early access to the Grand Tasting!

Get your TICKETS here!

​A variety of food options from local culinary partners will also be available for purchase throughout the day, allowing guests to further explore the flavors and traditions that make Italian culture so beloved.