Category Archives: Appellation

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

Thirty-Seven is #1!!!

Leave a comment

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!!!

Appellation, Event, Music, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Video, Vineyards, Wine, Winery

Special Ram’s Gate preview on THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

Fab Carneros AVA selections from Ram’s Gate Winery, with talented winemaker Joe Nielson. Join us there for the next Pour+Explore Sonoma Valley tasting from Sonoma County Vintners on Friday July 24th! There will be 25 more wineries from the AVA’s Bennett Valley, Carneros, Moon Mountain, Sonoma Mountain & Sonoma Valley. Just a few TICKETS left!

Appellation, Event, Music, People, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Vineyards, Wine, Winery

Tasting Talisman with Marta Rich!

Leave a comment

Talking about the glories of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley and the exciting SCV Pour+Explore tasting event happening next Friday, July 24th at Ram’s Gate Winery — all of this with my great pal Marta Rich of Talisman Wine which is based on the beautiful town of Glen Ellen in Sonoma Valley. It is almost sold out so GET YOUR TICKETS!

Appellation, Event, Food, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Wine

Three Sticks Wines On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

Talking with Prema Kerollis about the great Three Sticks Wines with and the exciting Sonoma Valley Pour+Explore event happening next Friday evening, July 24th at Ram’s Gate Winery.

With over 25 wineries will be featured from the Sonoma Valley sub-AVAs of Carneros, Moon Mountain, Sonoma Mountain & Bennett Valley, together for the first time on a Friday night!

Hope to see you there for this exciting tasting, get your TICKETS.

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

Pour+Explore Sonoma Valley on Friday July 24th!

Leave a comment

Join us at Ram’s Gate Winery for our next Pour+Explore, the Sonoma Valley edition, with wines from featured AVA’s; Sonoma Valley, Carneros, Moon Mountain, Sonoma Mountain & Bennett Valley!

Ram’s Gate Winery, located at 28700 Arnold Drive, Sonoma.

This exclusive wine tasting event featuring a special selection of wines from over 25 Sonoma County wineries. Discover wonderful wines that epitomize the essence of each winemaker’s individual style and Sonoma Valley’s distinctive vineyards. Secure your TICKETS!

Presented by Sonoma County Vintners in collaboration with Sommelier Christopher Sawyer, will feature a walk-around tasting of a curated selection of wines from each vintner, paired with light appetizers.

FEATURING: Anaba Wines, Buena Vista, Chateau St. Jean, Dane Cellars, Grand Scheme Wines, Hamel Family Wines, Idell Family Vineyards, Landmark Vineyards, Lasseter Family Winery, Ledson Winery & Vineyards, Mo Family Vineyards, Muscardini Cellars, Patz & Hall, Ram’s Gate Winery, Sangiacomo Wines, Sebastiani Vineyards & Winery, Talisman Wine, Turnstile Cellars & more!

Appellation, Awards, Competition, Event, Judging, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine, Winery

Submit Your Wines for “The Judgement of Calistoga”!

Leave a comment

On behalf of the Calistoga Wine Society, we are pleased to invite wineries to participate in the inaugural Calistoga AVA Wine Evaluation, to be held on July 15, 2026 at Sterling Vineyards, and culminating in the Calistoga Wine Festival, Awards Ceremony, and Grand Public Tasting on August 15, 2026.

The Calistoga AVA Wine Evaluation is a professional judging event evaluated by experienced wine judges and certified sommeliers: Wines representing the Calistoga AVA, including (but not limited to) Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Charbono, Sauvignon Blanc, and other varietals, will be assessed.

Designed to highlight the unique terroir of the Calistoga AVA and introduce participating wineries to new audiences. Award-winning wines will be:

  • Exclusively poured at the Grand Public Tasting
  • Announced live on stage by the wine judges
  • Recognized through local wine industry media, regional food, wine, and lifestyle publications.

Charitable Component: This event will benefit the community, with a of proceeds donated to UpValley Family Centers, suporting individuals and families in northern Napa County—including Calistoga and St. Helena—who face economic and social challenges.

To Participate go to the CWF website, scroll to the bottom of the page: 1) Download the Wine Entry Form, 2) Pay Entry Fee of $40 per wine entry online

If you have any questions or would like additional details, please feel free to contact us at tolstunov@yahoo.com.

Appellation, Event, People, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Video, Vineyards, Vlog, Wine, Winery

Mill Creek Vineyards on THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

THE VARIETAL SHOW visits Jeremy Kreck at Mill Creek Vineyards, family operated since 1974, where Dry Creek & Russian River Valleys intersect: Find out why we are tasting Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel and Cabernet and why appellations matter!

AND join us to taste for yourself at Pour+Explore Four Valleys on Thursday May 21st, at Paradise Ridge Winery!

  • Mill Creek Vineyard
  • Paradise Ridge Winery
Appellation, Event, People, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine, Winery

High-Lights of A. Rafanelli on TVS!

Leave a comment

Talking about great wines and the upcoming Pour+Explore Four Valleys event happening Thursday, May 21 at Paradise Ridge, with guests including talented winemaker Shelly Rafanelli from A. Rafanelli Winey in Dry Creek Valley, and many more from Russian River Valley, Knights Valley & Alexander Valley!

For more info and TICKETS visit Sonoma County Vintners!

  • Paradise Ridge Winery
  • Sonoma County AVA Map
  • A. Rafanelli Winery
Appellation, Event, Food, People, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Video, Vineyards, Vlog, Wine, Winery

Welcome to Pour+Explore Paradise . . .

Leave a comment

Paradise Ridge Winery that is! Talking about great wines and the upcoming Four Valleys Pour+Explore tasting on Thursday, May 21 with star winemaker Daniel Fitzgerald. overlooking Russian River Valley which, along with Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley and Knights Valley, comprise the Four Valley Wine Tasting next week.

For more info and TICKETS visit Sonoma County Vintners!

  • Paradise Ridge Winery
Appellation, Event, Food, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Vineyards, Wine, Winery

Pour+Explore Four Valleys on May 21st!

Leave a comment

As featured above in Dry Creek Valley, and below in Knights Valley, Russian River Valley & Alexander Valley– these four valleys are the focus of our next Pour+Explore at Paradise Ridge Vineyards on Thursday, May 21, from 5:30–7:30 PM: An unforgettable setting known for its sweeping vineyard views and refined wine country ambiance.

Get your TICKETS for this is a unique opportunity to compare styles, explore different growing regions, and discover new favorites all in one place. As you explore, enjoy light bites and engage with the vintners who bring these exceptional wines to life.

Featured Wineries include:

Dry Creek Valley
A. Rafanelli, Breathless Wines, Hawley Winery, Kenneth Carl Estate, Mascarin Family Wines, Mill Creek Vineyards, Portalupi Wine, Solo Nostro, Terra Amata Vineyards, We Know Jack, West Wines

Russian River Valley
Domaine Della, Emeritus Vinyeards, Gary Farrell Vineyards & Winery, Limerick Lane Cellars, Martinelli Winery, Merriam Vineyards, Paradise Ridge Winery, Vaughn Duffy Wines, Wren Hop Vineyards

Knights Valley
Anakota, Brandon Gregory Estate, Ehret Winery, En Garde Winery, Knights Bridge Winery, Peter Michael Winery, Ross Ranch & Vineyards

Alexander Valley 
Alexander Valley Vineyards, Bedarra Vineyards, Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Thumbprint Cellars

  • Paradise Ridge Winery
  • Russian River Valley
  • Knights Valley
  • Alexander Valley
  • Sonoma County AVA Map