Category Archives: Event

Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

Celebrating ZIN On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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With the upcoming Zin-spiration Festival at Gravenstein Grill on Wednesday July 19th, we want to highlight a few amazing interviews with local producers whose wines will be featured at the amazing event among these stellar selections: Croix, Three Wine Co, Robert Biale, Carol Shelton, Florence, Gamba, Goldschmidt, Nalle, Jeff Cohn, Hendry, Limerick Lane, Woodenhead, Wilson, Cast, Pezzi King, Hartford, Ridge, Once and Future, Pedroncelli & MORE! See you there. . . meanwhile watch these ZIN episodes with Miro and Dry Creek Vineayards.

Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

1st Annual Zin-spiration Festival! Wednesday, July 19th

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Come to Gravenstein Grill and taste the varied styles of California’s own varietal: Zinfandel! The grapes grown & produced here in Sonoma County boast a huge range of styles, from the soft elegant cold climate coastal Zins to the bold, in your face juicy ripe Zins from Dry Creek & the gnarly unique and full of character old vine Zinfandels that were grown in the region for over 100 years!

Taste wines from 20 select world class Zinfandel producers, including Gamba, Biale, Limerick Lane, Nalle Winery, Jeff Cohn Cellars, Three Wine Co, Woodenhead, Croix, Carol Shelton, Wilson & Pezzi King!

There will also be passed appetizers featuring locally sourced meat & produce by Chefs Simontacchi & Colunga, and live music by Alan Watt! Get your TICKETS!

Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Rose & Aromatic White/Pink Wine Festival on Thurs May 25th!

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Join Gravenstein Grill for an early evening celebrating all the incredible aromatic white & rose wines produced in Sonoma County! We’ll have wines being poured by over 20 guest wineries, including Balletto Vineyards, Anaba, Crux, Cochon, Banshee, Davis Family, Muscardini Cellars, Radio-Coteau, Red Car Wine, Sea Wolf, Marimar, Porter Creek, Raft, Inman Family, Quivira, Chenoweth Wines, Kobler Estate, Benziger Winery, Imagery Winery, Rodney Strong & More!

This event is Thursday May 25th, 5-7pm, outdoors on the garden patio. TICKETS are $35 if ordered online, $45 at the door, and includes tastings with all the wineries!

To accompany these world class wines there will be passed appetizers by Chefs Bob Simontacchi & Makana Colunga. This is the first of the Summer wine series at Gravenstein Grill – and it is not to be missed!

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Appellation, Event, Farm, Food, Garden, History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Get Your PASSPORT To Dry Creek Valley! April 29-30

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Join 35 wineries for the 32nd Passport to Dry Creek Valley April 29 & 30, 2023. Enjoy amazing wine, delicious food, vibrant entertainment and a fun-filled spring weekend within the backdrop of idyllic Dry Creek Valley.

TICKETS with the special Sawyer Somm pricing are available at this link! How does it work?

  • Choose your starting winery and go at your own pace with no reservations necessary
  • Fabulous wine & food pairings
  • Access to countless wines that you can’t find on the shelf
  • Interactions with the winemakers and growers
  • Coveted spots in wine clubs
  • Entertainment all weekend
  • Skip the line with check-in option Friday in Healdsburg (info at checkout)
  • OPTION to purchase Friday evening (April 28) Winemakers welcome dinner at The Madrona
  • Hope to be seeing you in DCV! ~Chris
Art, Event, Festivals, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Virtual, Wine

Let SAWYER SOMM Entertain YOU!

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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

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Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

ZinEX 2023-Get Your Tickets!

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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:

  • Ian Blackburn, Learn About Wine – Paired with Ryan Schmaltz, Winemaker at Bella Vineyards
  • Matt Montrose, OMVino – Paired with Clay Mauritson, Owner of Mauritson Wines
  • Tonya Pitts, One Market Restaurant – Paired with April Nalle, Co-owner at Nalle Winery
  • Cara Patricia, DECANTsf – Paired with Hugh Chappelle, Winemaker at Quivira Vineyards
  • Chris Sawyer, Sawyersomm.com – Paired with Jeff Stewart, Winemaker at Hartford Family Winery
  • Sarah Trubnick, The Barrel Room – Paired with Trester Goetting, Ridge Vineyards

SEE YOU ALL THERE! Christopher

Competition, Event, Food, Holidays, Judging, Sommelier, Travels, Wine

Happy Holidays from Sawyer Somm!

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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

Event, People, Sommelier, Video, Virtual, Wine

Legends: Next Gen @Watch It on SawyerSomm.com!

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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!