Want to spice up your wine tastings? Bring in Sawyer Somm!
I am always interested in sharing my knowledge with you, and your group, at wineries or along with tour visits. We could also set up a special tasting, Seminar Style, for your large or small group onsite, or at another select venue around wine county. Food pairings are always a fun addition!
So let us know what you are thinking and let Sawyer Somm supplement your incredible wine experience! Cheers, Chris
Coming up quickly it is time for ZinEX, in San Francisco on January 26, 27 & 28 atThe Pavilion at One Market (30 Steuart St)! So many events, so many winemakers, so many somms – myself included!
Schedule of Events begins Thursday, January 26 – Opening Night Dining; Friday, January 27 – Flights! and Winemakers Dinner & Auction ~ A Red Carpet Gala; Saturday, January 28 – Grand Tasting
Get your TICKETS! Catch the Somm-Winemaker pairings at the Friday Flights! event & lot of Zinfandel every day:
SEE YOU ALL THERE! Christopher
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.
From my visit to Chef Laura Pauli, winter lights in Oregon, chocolate & wine at Acumen, and the release of A Perfect Vintage. . .
. . . 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
Here is the video for those that were unable to attend the Sonoma County Wine Library: Sonoma County Wine Legends event in November, Legends: Next Gen that was moderated by Sawyer Somm and features five next-generation professionals of the local wine community. Sit down with a local glass of vino and enjoy the discussion!
After a three-year pause, the Sonoma County Wine Library is bringing back its Sonoma County Wine Legends event on Thursday, November 10th, 6:30 pm at the Steele Lane Community Center (415 Steele Ln) in Santa Rosa. (Photo credit Christopher Cheung/PD)
Moderated by Sommelier Christopher Sawyer, Legends: Next Gen will feature a panel discussion of these legends in the making, five next-generation professionals of the local wine community:
This fundraiser for the Sonoma County Wine Library includes wine pouring with charcuterie platter, and silent auction featuring special wines, gifts, and wine-country experiences. Early bird TICKETS are $45 for members and $60 for non-members, and $55 and $70 respectively after October 31st.
Now is the time to plan your family gathering or company event and add a Sommelier to bring a little extra sparkle. Please inquire with Sawyer Somm to find out how he can enliven your holiday celebration, or how his other Wine Consulting Skills might serve your needs! Email wine(at)sawyersomm.com for more information (& be a little patient while he hosts a pre-holiday Celebrity wine education cruise to Mexico, returning October 9.) CHEERS!
Join Gravenstein Grill & Sawyer Somm on the patio to enjoy wine tastings with 15+ top Pinot Noir producers! Talk to winemakers & growers while enjoying paired hors d’oeuvres from Chefs Bob Simontacchi & Makana Colunga.
Guest wineries include: Marimar Estate, Scherrer Winery, Anaba Wines, Davis Bynum, Calstar Cellars, Dutton-Goldfield, Keller Estate, Bacigalupi, Ancien, Radio-Coteau, Benovia Winery, Kobler Estate, Bucher Wines, Papapietro-Perry, Lombardi Wines, Porter Creek Vineyards, Freeman Winery, Kanzler Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Purple Pacyderm & More!
TICKETS are $50 preorder and $60 at the door, and includes tastings with ALL of the guest wineries as well as light seasonal appetizers.
Enjoy the Gravenstein Grill Summer Wine Series, with Sawyer Somm on the patio and enjoy wine tastings with 15+ top Rosé & Aromatic White Wine producers Thursday July 21, 5:30-7pm! Talk to winemakers and growers while enjoying paired hors d’oeuvres from Chefs Bob Simontacchi & Makana Colunga.
Guest wineries include: Acumen, Paradise Ridge, Acorn Winery, Flanagan Wine, Carol Shelton Winery, Radio Coteau, Red Car Wine, Talisman Wine, Trecini Winery, Marimar Estate, Balletto Vineyards, Bucher Wines, Vine Wrangler, Chenoweth Wines, Cornerstone Cellars, J. Cage Cellars, Kobler Estate Winery, Claypool Cellars, Crux Winery, Viszlay Vineyards & More!
TICKETS are $40 pre-order and $50 at the door, and includes tastings with ALL of the guest wineries as well as light seasonal appetizers.
San Francisco Wine School is thrilled to welcome star sommelier and wine educator, Chris Sawyer and Pinot Noir expert, Ben Papapietro, Owner/Winemaker of Papapietro Perry Winery, and Steve Rogstad, Winemaker of Cuvaison Estate Wines, for a rare opportunity to delve deep into the legacy of the noble red grape Pinot Noir and taste its diverse clonal variations.
Select either In Person or Virtual (Roomer or Zoomer!) at checkout: Reserve your TICKETS for June 10, 6-8pm!
Whet your palate! On the surface, Pinot Noir is commonly marked with a thin skin, light hue, fruity flavors, soft tannins, and delicate demeanor. But when you follow its rich legacy back 2,000 years, you will see it is more than a classic grape variety listed in the vitus vinifera family, but a super genius with the unique special powers to mutate and express itself in different forms.
In the white grape category, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are mutations of Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay is its genetic offspring. It is also the father of the red grape variety Pinot Meunier, commonly grown in the Champagne region. But as a stand-alone grape, Pinot Noir has the rare ability to mutate and multiply in the form of “clones,” which have spread to the United States and propagated amazing variations for winegrowers and winemakers to work with in the cool-climate regions on the West Coast of California!
Join me at Gravenstein Grill for the 3rd Annual Rhone Rendezvous! We will be featuring incredible wines from some of the best wineries in Sonoma County, along with small bites by Chef Simontacchi, hosted on our spacious outdoor patio.
Get your TICKETS, which include a tasting with ALL of the guest wineries, including Acorn, Anaba, Bee Hunter, Crux, Donelan, Enkidu, Jeff Cohn Cellars, Longboard, Miner Wines, Ramey, Ram’s Gate, Scherrer, Trentadue & Truchard!
See you there! Christopher
