Category Archives: Event

Event, Tasting, Wine

Petaluma Gap: Wind to Wine, Sunday Nov 6th

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petgapI will be back for the second annual Petaluma Gap-Wind to Wine Festival being held at the Sheraton Petaluma, on Sunday, November 6th, from 11am to 4pm. This is your opportunity to experience what makes this region special with more than 100 Petaluma Gap wines available for tasting!

There are two VIP Seminars to choose from:
Food Friendly Wines hosted by myself.  Joining me will be winemakers Ana Keller(Keller Estate), Erica Stancliff (Trombetta Family Wines), andowner/chef Peter White (Sugo Trattoria). Food provided by Chef Richard Visconte.

Cool Climate Syrah led by my friend Dan Berger, which includes David Ramey(winemaker, Ramey Wine Cellars), Pax Mahle (winemaker,Pax Mahle Wines), Duncan Meyers (winemaker, Arnot-Roberts), and Cyrus Limon (wine writer, SoloSyrah).

history1The Grand Tasting will take place in the Sheraton’s Grand Ballroom, with more food stations, more space to mingle, and even more wines to sample!  There are a limited number of Early Bird tickets available, which entitles you to a coupon worth $20 that can be applied to a wine order at the event.

 Hope to see you in my seminar!
Charity, Event, Wine

Pinot on the River: Healdsburg Plaza, Oct 23rd

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pinot-logo-png-224x300Join me next Sunday at Pinot on the River in the downtown Healdsburg Plaza Square. There will be over 100 wineries at the Pinot Noir Grand Tasting plus guest Artisan Food Vendors.  Enjoy the limited production West Coast Pinot Noirs, in the company of winemakers and other Pinot-loving consumers.  As always this event benefits The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Sonoma County.

Buy your tickets, or if you are unable to attend
then purchase some Raffle Tickets for the chance to win
one of three fabulous wine prizes!
Instant Wine Cellar of Pinot Noir
6 Magnums of Pinot Noir
3 Magnums of Pinot Noir

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Event, news, Video, Wine

The Sawyer Somm Show: Exploring Autumn with Wine

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In the latest episode of The Sawyer Somm Show, join me as I discuss some recent events, wines for fall and some intriguing wine news; Making wine with biodynamically farmed grapes (and marijuana)
Constellation Brands Eyes $1 Billion Sale of Canadian Wine Business.

Featured wines include Frivolo Moscato Blanco CA – Noceto 2014, Borne 2014 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, mile marker 33.89, 50 Year Anniversary Robert Mondavi, Maestro 2013 and many more!

 

Beer, Event, Holidays

Time for Oktoberfest!

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oktoberfestWell, technically almost half of the Oktoberfest events have already taken place, mostly in September. Hmm. However the sudden urge to consume beer at the outset of autumn is an understandable predicament. Given that, here are a few Oktoberfest opportunities to whet your palate depending on where you reside or travel this month.

Auburn Oktoberfest (Annual Craft Beer Festival): October 8th
Local, regional and national breweries showcasing a small selection of beers. Select breweries will also present one-off beers, which are brewed specifically to be served at the Oktoberfest event.

Cotati Oktoberfest: October 8th
Wunderbar German food, fresh craft brews on tap, traditional Oktoberfest music by The Continentals and polka dancing! Contests include the not-to- be-missed Wiener Dog Races, the Tankard Hoist, the Yodeling Contest and the Potato Sack Races.

Nevada City Oktoberfest: October 8th
If you are heading into the mountains this might be a fun stop (we will just miss this, arriving in NC 2 days later). There will be beer from local breweries, live entertainment, German food and a vintage motorcycle display.

Ocean Beach Oktoberfest in San Diego:  October 7 & 8
“Bavaria meets the beach!” With a slew of interesting activities including The Sausage Toss, Balloon Blow, Ms. O’fest and Das Booty Flip.  Live music to accompany your pleasures.

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest in Chico: October 7 & 8
In an area well known for beer consumption, there will also be live music, cold beer and hot glass blowing demonstrations. Musical lineup of three bands. Don’t forget to practice up on your chicken dance before attending.

If none of these suit your locale scout out
some other options at this Oktoberfest Caliornia link!

Event, Farm, Food

A marvelous National Heirloom Expo 2016

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0908161134Sorry if you missed this one, but put it on the calendar for next year! What beautiful, and yes BIG, food was on display at the
6th Annual National Heirloom Expo in Santa Rosa, Sept 6-8. What wine lover would not be impressed with the amazing assortment of vegetable varietals in an abundance of colors? Makes you wonder what to pair it with. . . and the tower of gourds is definitely a display to be witnessed first hand.

Great to see some local schools sharing their gardens projects, including some very interesting botany-based displays.  There was also a mass pasta making seminar for kids with Chef Gino Campagna. And of course the educational speaker series was for the adults in the crowd, so hopefully you can join me at some of those in 2017!

Yummy yum yum!
Yummy yum yum!
Event, People, Wine

A special bottle for a stellar occasion!

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The Rehoboam! (photo thanks to Karen Hess)
The Rehoboam! (photo thanks to Karen Hess)

I have been saving this!  It was given to me by a wine colleague and waiting for just the right moment.  That moment came this weekend at Flying Cloud Farm for my brother Ethan’s nuptials and celebration.  It was an amazing event with lots of wine (of course) and the ritual Nigerian style sharing of the Kola Nut in honor of my new sister-in-law Amaka’s family heritage.  So when the time to toast the newly betrothed couple came I whipped out the Rehoboam of delectable Gloria Ferrer Brut and proceeded to fill almost every glass at the reception!

Congratulations to Ethan & Amaka!
Here’s to many happy years together.  With wine.  XO from yer bro.

Just married: Amaka & Ethan!!!!
Just married: Amaka & Ethan! (photo thanks to Cody Kirkhart)
Charity, Event, Wine

V2V Wine Safari! September 3-11

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Talk about turning Wine into Water!  This September, Vineyards to Villages will host the 2nd Annual V2V Wine Safari, giving people the opportunity to drink boutique Sonoma County wines while bringing clean water to children in Kenya.

The “safari” tours will have complimentary tastings at 11 wineries in northern Sonoma County from September 3-11. Intimate tastings of exceptional high-end wines, often hosted by the owners themselves, will allow for a truly unique wine country experience. Visit any or all of the wineries at your own pace any time throughout the week. Participating wineries donate 1/3 of the sales price of these wines to V2V throughout the event.

The particpating wineries include: Christopher Creek Winery, Deux Amis Winery, Fritz Underground Winery, Merriam Vineyards, Pedroncelli Winery, Portalupi Wine, Thumbprint Cellars, Trione Winery, Williamson Wines, the Windsor Tasting Lounge, and Viszlay Vineyards.

Tickets available HERE!  $50 each (a $130 value),
and all ticket sales go directly to V2V.

v2v2014
Children at Ranyienya Primary School with water from a borehole well dug in February 2014

Also, with the purchase of every ticket, you will be entered to win wine raffle prizes! If you visit every “animal” (winery) on the safari and show your complete safari pass on the Facebook page, you’ll get an additional 10 raffle tickets: Plus an extra raffle ticket with every purchase of V2V wine!

Event, Food, Sommelier, Wine

Sommelier Stars @Sonoma Wine Country Weekend!

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Start getting ready for Labor Day Weekend! There will be 15 wine professionals, including myself, at Sonoma Wine Country Weekend this year: We will all amplify the experience for you, while we serve as guest all-star wine guides at key events throughout the three-day, charitable event.

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Don’t miss the exciting adventure with me and my sommelier buddies!
  • Benjamin Appleby, Abe & Louis Steak House, Boston, MA
  • Cassandra Brown, Hakkasan Restaurants, Las Vegas, NV
  • Mark Canak, The Metropolitan Club, Chicago, IL
  • Joy Cushing, Nick & Stefs, Los Angeles, CA
  • Seamus Dooley, Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
  • Chuck Herrold, Dolce Pane e Vino, Rancho Santa Fe, CA
  • Leslie LaMont, Leña Brava, Chicago, IL
  • Steven McDonald, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Houston, TX
  • Patrick Olds, Louie’s Wine Dive, Clayton, MO / St. Louis, MO
  • Nadia Pavlevska, Darrens, Manhattan Beach, CA
  • Chris Reid, 101 Steak, Atlanta, GA
  • Christopher Sawyer, SawyerSomm.com Consulting, Petaluma, CA
  • Steve Steese, Shanahan’s Steakhouse, Denver, CO
  • Lindsay Thomas, Camerata at Paulie’s, Houston, TX
  • Tyler Wesslund, Edison: food + drink lab, Tampa, FL

See you there! Christopher

Event, Farm, Food, Wine

Heritage Fire @Charles Krug Winery – August 21st

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If you are interested in a whole animal fire roasting experience then set your sites for this event! 2016 Heritage Fire Napa, by Cochon555, will feature heritage and heirloom foods including dry-aged beef, whole pigs, lamb, goat, squab, rabbit, duck, fish, chicken, artisan cheeses, oysters, and heirloom vegetables. So set your sights on Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena next Sunday August 21st, and plan to please your palate!

Event, Travels, Wine

Wine Bloggers Conference: August 11-14

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I am getting excited for my first time at the Wine Bloggers Conference, this year in Lodi, CA from August 11-14.  Hopefully much of it will be indoors as the Central Valley can get pretty toasty in the summer!

Wine Bloggers ConferenceIf you happen to attending as well, then make time on Friday evening for a Charles Communications event with me spinning vinyl on the Klinker Brick patio!  RSVP to Greer Shull at rsvp(at)charlescomm.com or 415-701-WINE to save your space.