Category Archives: Appellation

Appellation, news, People, Wine

Jean Arnold Sessions new Exec Director of SVVGA

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A hearty congratulations to my friend Jean and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Association for making their relationship formal!

My fun photo of Jean Arnold Sessions with Alexandra O'Gorman of Ramey Wines and Summer Kostik Jeffus of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits at the Sonoma County Barrel Auction in April.
My fun photo of Jean Arnold Sessions (center) with Alexandra O’Gorman of Ramey Wines and Summer Kostik Jeffus of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits at the Sonoma County Barrel Auction in April.

“It has been a long-held dream of mine to be a leading voice for our wine community. The vintners of Sonoma County have many stories to tell. These stories bring to life the challenges of working with such diversity of land, dedication to sustainable grape growing for the highest quality of winemaking, while working together to care and support our agriculture and our community. This is an exciting time to be part of the Sonoma County Vintners.” — Jean Arnold Sessions.

You can read details about their joint venture HERE!

Appellation, news, Travels, Wine

The Return of Lake County!

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lakecoAfter the devastating Valley Fire last autumn local organizations and citizens have been collaborating in  a multitude of ways to help support the recovery and redevelopment of Lake County.  It seems the efforts are making a difference, particularly in regards to their wine industry, with events in addition to ample tourism.

Read this recent Press Democrat article by Bill Swindell to find out more and perhaps think about ways we can continue supporting our neighborto the North:

Lake County Wine Industry is Ready for Takeoff!

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Hospice du Rhône is almost here! April 14-16

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Too late to buy tickets online, but sales at the door are worth the trip to Hospice du Rhône in Paso Robles, CA!  Be sure to check the website for more information.  And play “Where’s Chris?”  you can find me roaming about.

hdr16bHospice du Rhône is located on the Central Coast of California, operates to improve the business conditions of the grape growers and wine producers of Rhône variety wines and grapes throughout the world.

Appellation, Food, Tasting, Wine

Join the Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting – Thursday April 21st

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I will be moderating the fabulous Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting yet again this year in San Francisco on Thursday April 21!  The event is from 5–7pm at The Presidio Golden Gate Club, on 135 Fisher Loop, SF.

MVSF 2016Twenty Mt. Veeder wines will be featured with gourmet small bites from Presidio Foods Catering and assorted artisan cheeses, charcuterie, crackers and breads.  Don’t miss out…it’s the only time of the year you can TASTE and PURCHASE Mt. Veeder wines ON SITE…most of which are not open to the public.

Purchase tickets HERE, visit MtVeederWines.com
or call 707-266-1296.

Cheers! Christopher

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Wine

Get your Rhone on! Saturday March 19th

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Have a hankering for some robust Rhone inspired local wines?  From aromatic white wines and elegant red blends, to bold and spicy vineyard designates, taste and discover why many talented winemakers in Napa Valley are working with grape varietals that were originally made famous in the Rhone Valley of France and other special regions around the globe at this amazing wine class and tasting!

Exploring the Rhone Zone
The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute
of America Greystone, St. Helena
Saturday, March 19 / 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Get your tickets!

Moderated by Esther Mobley, Wine Writer, San Francisco Chronicle and joined by an amazing panel;  Carole Meredith, Proprietor/Co-Founder, Lagier Meredith Vineyard, David Miner, Proprietor, Miner Family Winery, Ashley Hepworth, Winemaker, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Gillian Balance, Master Sommelier, Stags Leap Winery/Treasury Wine Estates and Jeff Cohn, Winemaker/Proprietor, Jeff Cohn Cellars.

Featured Wines!
minerscJeff Cohn Cellars 2013 Viognier, 2 Guys/2 Barrels, Stagecoach Vineyard, Atlas Peak
Joseph Phelps 2012 Syrah, Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard, Carneros
Lagier Meredith 2003 Syrah, Estate Grown, Mount Veeder
Miner Family 2011 Syrah, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley
Stags Leap 2012 Petite Sirah, Ne Cede Malis, Estate Grown, Stags Leap District

Yum!  Christopher

Appellation, Event, Travels, Wine

Meet Some Young Wine Stars of Napa Valley! Sat, March 19th

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Flavor! Napa Valley is happening now!  Just another awesome learning opportunity for your curious palate:

Forward Thinking, the Young Stars of Napa Valley
The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute of
America Greystone, St. Helena
Saturday, March 19 / 10:00pm – 11:30pm
Get your tickets!

Meet the next generation of talented winemakers in Napa Valley.
Find out the new wine trends they are applying to their family vineyards, discover the intriguing grape varietals they are working with, and taste the signature styles of wines which set them apart from the rest!  Moderated by Ian White, Wine Director for San Francisco Magazine/Modern Luxury.

Your stellar list of young panelists includes:
Alan Viader, Viader Vineyards & Winery
Alycia Mondavi, Aloft Wine
Judd Finkelstein, Judd’s Hill
Alex Llamas, Llamas Family Winery
Joe Harden, Robert Mondavi Winery
Patrick Foley, Foley Johnson Winery

smallflavorAlso, today is the LAST DAY to get tickets for these fabulous Friday classes:
Pinot Paradise
Aromatic White Wines for Spring
The Preservation Society

Cheers! Christopher

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Wine

Cabernets from the Mountains: Come taste some High Elevation Wines with me!

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1-vaca-mountains-napa-valley-patti-britton
The Vaca Mountains by Patti Britton (http://fineartamerica.com)

This Saturday March 19th, join my class, High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside, covering the amazing wines of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa Valley, along with some of the wonderful women involved in their production!

Antica Napa Valley
Beringer
Cimarossa
Cliff Lede
Palmaz Vineyards

High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside will be held at The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute of America Greystone, St. Helena, from 10:00 – 11:30am.  Get your tickets now!

Continue your Flavor! Napa Valley adventure on Saturday to the afternoon follow-up High Elevation Wines Part 2: Westside or Exploring the Rhone Zone, both at 3pm.

See you this weekend! Christopher

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Wine

What is the “Preservation Society”? Find out more Fri, March 18th

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A little history lesson for you, before Cabernet Sauvignon became the most popular grape in the Napa Valley, most of the full-bodied red wines were made with Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Charbono and other legendary grape varietals referred to as “mixed blacks.”  Come find out what an all-star cast of Napa Valley farmers, winemakers, vintners and boutique producers are doing to preserve these special old vineyard sites.

Preservation Society
The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute
of America Greystone, St. Helena
Friday, March 18 / 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Get your tickets!

zap19
At The Preservation Society class on March 18th, learn about the historic Hayne Vineyard and taste the great wines made with the fruit by Tegan Passalacqua of Turley Wine Cellars (pictured) and Russell Bevan of Chase Cellars.

I’m honored to be the moderator for this Flavor! Napa Valley class, alongside this amazing panel of professionals; Robert Biale, Proprietor, Robert Biale Winery: Aldo’s Vineyard, Tegan Passalacqua, Winemaker, Turley Wine Cellars: Hayne Vineyard,  Mike Hendry, Proprietor, Hendry Winery: R.W. Moore Vineyard,  Russell Bevan, Winemaker, Chase Cellars: Hayne Vineyard, Genevieve Janssens, Winemaker, Robert Mondavi Winery: To Kalon Vineyard.

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Wine

Take the Quiz! Match the Wine with the Event

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Test your wine knowledge by matching the label with the appropriate Flavor! Napa Valley event, taking place March 16-20.  These delicious beauties were all dropped off this week in preparation of all the upcoming to-do’s.  Hope to be seeing you in the mix! Christopher

Here are the possibilities:
highwest2a) Pinot Paradise
b) Aromatic White Wines for Spring
c) High-Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside
d) High-Elevation Wines Part 2: Westside
e) Forward Thinking: The Young Stars of Napa Valley
f) Exploring the Rhone Zone
g) Terrior to Table: Five Decades Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting with Trefethen Family Vineyards
h) BRIX after-party

Find the answers at my Napa Valley – Pinterest page. 

bricksafterpartypinotp1

lasirenarhone1

50tertable1higheast1

fwdthinking1For more event options check out the full Flavor! Napa Valley Schedule At a Glance.

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Wine

Learn about Aromatic White Wines at Flavor! Napa Valley

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So excited to be working on the fabulous Wine Classes with star winemakers at Flavor! Napa Valley: Selfie with fellow somms Christie Dufault & Robert Bath MS (your moderator!).
So excited to be working on the fabulous Wine Classes with star winemakers at Flavor! Napa Valley: Selfie with fellow somms Christie Dufault & Robert Bath MS (your moderator!).

Here is a refreshing opportunity!  Join moderator, Bob Bath, Master Sommelier and Professor of Wine and Beverage Studies at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and at COPIA as well to check out the new delicate styles of white wine from Napa Valley that are becoming very fashionable to pair with so many styles of fine cuisine.

Aromatic White Wines for Spring
The Culinary Institute of America at Copia
500 1st Street Napa, CA 94559
Friday, March 18, 2016 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Get your tickets!

As one of the panelists talented winemaker Heidi Barrett (pictured here with husband Bo) will be showcasing a new release from the family's La Sirena Wines.
As one of the panelists talented winemaker Heidi Barrett (pictured here with husband Bo) will be showcasing a new release from the family’s La Sirena Wines.

This Flavor! Napa Valley class will enlighten you to some crisp alternatives to Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, with lovely aromatic aromas.  An amazing crew of panelists will be in attendance as well: Heidi Barrett, La Sirena Wines; Mike Chelini, Stony Hill Vineyard; Jeff Virnig, Robert Sinskey Vineyards; Craig Becker, Priest Ranch/Somerston Estate; Ken Foster, Mahoney Vineyards; Ry Richards, Chappellet Winery.

Enjoy!