Category Archives: Competition

Happy Holidays from Sawyer Somm!

Just a quick note to say I appreciate you following my exciting adventures this year! Stick around for more in 2023 and enjoy this little collection of photos from a year of memories.

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A perfect vintage 2022

From my visit to Chef Laura Pauli, winter lights in Oregon, chocolate & wine at Acumen, and the release of A Perfect Vintage. . .

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. . . to Be Bubbly in Napa, the stellar crew of Celebrity Solstice, Sonoma Burger delights and the always incredible eats at Gravenstein Grill! So much to share, join me for more in 2023. CHEERS! Christopher

Sergio González On THE VARIETAL SHOW Sharing Mexican Wines!

México Selection is a special competition put on by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. This year THE VARIETAL SHOW was in Parras de la Fuente, in the region of Coahuila. While there I sat down with representative Sergio González, Certified Sommelier for The Court of Master Sommeliers, to discuss the history of wine in México, which includes the oldest winery in the Americas. Together we enjoy the tastes of Casa Madero, Don Leo and Parvada. (Of special note, this region is also famous for Dinosaurs!)

México Selection RESULTS from a total of 737 wines and spirits, from 21 producing states of Mexico and the United States, “Guest Country of Honor 2022”, competed for a distinction. LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

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Buongiorno From Charlie Arturaola At CMB On The Varietal Show

Where are we? Thanks to Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB), the largest International wine competition in the world, The Varietal Show is with Charlie Arturaola in Cosenza, which is on the ankle, of the boot, in southern Italy. He shares his knowledge about Calabrian Wines, history and legends of the area, the origins of wine, and the connection to California. CHEERS!

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

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Submission Time! 5th Annual SIFF Wine Awards

This professional wine competition became part of Sonoma International Film Festival in 2018: It is organized and executed by sommelier Christopher Sawyer and a panel of wine writers, star sommeliers and retailers, taking place on March 16th, 2022. Deadline for wine submissions is March 11th. CATEGORIES & DETAILS BELOW!

  • Best Sparkling Wine
  • Best Chardonnay
  • Best Aromatic White Wine
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Other White Varietals & Blends
  • Best Pink Wine (still)
  • Best Pinot Noir
  • Best Merlot
  • Best Red Wine Blend
  • Best Zinfandel
  • Best Rhone Varieties
  • Best Bordeaux Varieties
  • Best Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Best Dessert Wine
  • Best Port Wine

Select the categories you want to enter from the list above. Please provide 2 bottles of wine for each category you are entering, including a spec sheet with the level of residual sugar information.

Deliver your wine to the SIFF office @ 103 E Napa Street, Ste. B, Sonoma, CA (above Maya Restaurant) before March 11th, 2022.
Contact Chay or Danyelle, 707-200-8215 , if you have any questions.

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McMinnville Wine Classic Awards 2022!

As seen in this gorgeous shot by Jason E. Kaplan Photography, the wine was flowing to perfection at the wine competition for McMinnville Wine & Food Classic, coming up this March 11-13.

See the McMINNVILLE WINE CLASSIC AWARDS results here!

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A few lucky judges also went touring, THANKS to the hospitality of Erath & WillaKenzie for the spectacular visits!

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#oregonwine #winecompetition #orwines #oregonwinecountry #visitmcminnville #SawyerSomm #TheSommFiles

The Results! México Selection 2021

DRUMROLL PLEASE Finally the results you have all been waiting for! 2021 México Selection, a division of the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles in Guanajuato, Mexico last month. Click the links to find out more!

WINE RESULTS

SPIRITS RESULTS

Cheers & Happy New Year from Sawyer Somm!

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Vote Baby Vote! Best Of Bohemian Until December 1st

The time has come again to select your favorites from Sonoma County, honoring local businesses! I humbly request your support in the BEST SOMMELIER category, VOTE HERE, and type in Christopher Sawyer.

Also please consider Gravenstein Grill for BEST RESTAURANT as well as an assortment of the dining categories you deem worthy. And most especially, if you have had the pleasure of trying out Sonoma Burger then give them a nod for BEST BURGER. If not then go try it out today!

Thank you, enjoy and happy voting! Chris

SIFF: The Wine Awards 2021!

Congratulations to the winners of our 4th Annual SIFF | Safe Harbor Wine Storage Wine Awards presented by San Francisco Magazine

Sonoma International Film Festival and our jury of tasting experts, led by noted sommelier Christopher Sawyer, toast the winners and thank all that participated. Watch the Wine Awards announcement on the SIFF Vimeo Channel and check out the details below!

SIFF Wine Competition: Enter Now Through April 5th!

The splendor of the Sonoma International Film Festival may be coming to a close but your wines can still participate! Info below for more details or contact Chay Woerz.

4th Annual SIFF Wine Awards: Sponsored by Safe Harbor Wine Storage &Presented by San Francisco Magazine

How To Enter: Select the categories you want to enter from the list below.  Then provide 2 bottles of wine for each of the categories you are entering.

Deliver wines to SIFF office: Located above Maya Restaurant (103 E Napa Street, Ste. B, Sonoma) by April 5th, 2021.

CATEGORIES! BEST Sparking Wine, Chardonnay, Aromatic White Wine, Pink Wine (still), Red Wine Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Dessert Wine, Port Wine, Sake (NEW)

Winners receive digital laurels to use for your marketing and a framed certificate to hang in your winery or tasting room as well as some serious bragging rights!

Judging will be organized and executed by sommelier Christopher Sawyer and panel of wine experts, on April 9th

The winners will be announced prior to the SIFF Saturday Film Screening on April 24th.

Following the screening the Awards Presentation will then be available on our SIFF Food and Wine Vimeo channel for those that missed it. We encourage you to send us virtual tasting content (10 minutes max) and any special offer (need link, description and promo code) you may have to share with our audience.

Deadline for wine submissions is April 5th and we will need your video by April 15th.