Category Archives: Event

Charity, Event, Food, Sommelier, Wine

#HWC2021 Raises Funds To Protect Mt Veeder From Fires!

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Fantastic results for a noble cause!

For more than 30 years, the Home Winemakers Classic has generated funding in support of fire safety for the Mount Veeder neighborhood in Napa Valley via a silent auction and a raffle. The virtual event was filmed at The Hess Collection Estate to raise critical funds for the Mt Veeder Fire Safe Council.

Mark Ibanez, Sports Director for KTVU Channel 2, and I discussed of some of the amazing Wine Auction Lots up for grabs, showed several short documentaries I did with my good friends at Lagier Meredith Vineyard, Judd’s Hill and MicroCrush. Concluding with announcement of the winner of the prestigious Nathan Fay Award for the 37th Annual Home Winemakers Classic!

Fabulous photos and Instragram interviews (@sawyersommelier) with Shari Staglin: Staglin Family Vineyard, Steve Sando: Rancho Gordo Beans, Angelina Mondavi: Dark Matter Wines & Walter Hamlin: Oakville Wine Merchant, are up now: Videos from our show will be here in a few days so plan to come back soon!

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Appellation, Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Wine

Watch The Rutherford Dust Society PNV 2021 Virtual Celebration

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The #PNV21 Virtual Event was a success! It was an amazing presentation, fun was had by all. I was honored to lead this great show with members of the Rutherford Dust Society, and support the Napa Valley Vintners.

You can watch the show below with talented and energetic winemakers from Inglenook, Peju Winery, Frank Family Vineyards, Alpha Omega, and St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, seen with me in the photo above! Glad to represent and include the great wines from Morisoli Vineyard, Amici Cellars and Quintessa in my film pairings as well!

Event, Music, Tasting, Virtual, Wine

Symphony of Flavor: A Wine + Music Experience

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Experience this virtual wine + music event featuring a live performance by Toronto Symphony Orchestra musicians Sonority Sisters, as well as a guided tasting of three wines from Napa Valley’s Ghost Block Estate Wines on Wednesday June 16, 5-6:30pm PDT. An experience brought to you by Melier.

The Sonority Sisters was founded by musicians Clare Semes and Kelly Zimba, a violin and flute duo that shares music in creative, safe, and socially distanced ways.

Participants will dig into pairing wines with music, engage with the musicians, and socialize with other wine lovers. ORDER YOUR TICKETS (to request wine delivery at least 6 days in advance).

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Event, Film, Sommelier, Tasting, Virtual, Wine

Cinema & the Cellar at the Rutherford Dust Film Fest

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Rutherford Dust Society
Virtual Premiere Napa Valley Celebration
Thursday, June 3 from 3:00-4:00pm PT

Join the winemakers of Rutherford Dust Society and the world’s first film sommelier, Christopher Sawyer for a virtual wine & movie celebration on June 3rd.

During this high-energy event, Alpha Omega, Amici, Inglenook, Frank Family Vineyards, PEJU, Quintessa and St. Supéry will present their Premiere Napa Valley lots, with a cinematic twist!

Whether you’re in the mood for action, drama, comedy or romance– there will be a wine for you in this action-packed session highlighting the radiant Rutherford region, its famous filmmakers and winemakers, and the elusive “Rutherford Dust” character that keeps wine lovers from around the world coming back for more. Join this list of stellar panelists on ZOOM!

Event, Sports, Tasting, Virtual, Wine

More Wine + Yoga: In Person @ Cuvaison Estate on Sunday May 23

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The time has come for in-person wine and yoga sessions starting this month led by Vino Vinyasa, and hosted by Melier, so you can finally sip and stretch simultaneously (with the option of virtual as well).

the experience will be located at the beautiful Cuvaison Estate Winery guest house, nestled amongst the vineyards, and just minutes from the Cuvaison tasting room: Tempt your taste buds with their 2018 Estate Chardonnay and 2020 Rose of Pinot Noir.

Get registered or check the Melier schedule for more options that might work for you!

Event, Sports, Tasting, Virtual, Wine

Wine + YOGA: Twisting and Tasting with Smith Devereux on May 22

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Ready to try something new? Melier is hosting both virtual and in-person yoga sessions starting this month!

This first VIRTUAL session, on Saturday May 22 from 11am-noon, will include an hour of stretching and sipping with Vino Vinyasa founder Morgan Perry and the respective winery owners featuring two wines from Smith Devereux: The 2017 No 3 Red Blend and SB White Blend!

Get registered or check the Melier schedule for more options that might work for you!

Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

May 7 Is #SauvBlancDay: Join St Supéry Around The World Virtual Tasting

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Sauvignon Blanc  Around the World: North & South America Live Virtual Tasting 

Friday, May 7 at 5pm PT Sauvignon Blanc has made a name for itself in many regions of the world. Hear “Sommelier to the Stars” Christopher Sawyer chat with global winemakers from California to Chile. Did you know that excellent Sauvignon Blanc is made in Uruguay and Mexico? Discover these great regions in an engaging chat on

  • Moderator: Christopher Sawyer, Sommelier
  • Michael Scholz, VP Winemaking and Viticulture, St. Supéry Estate, Napa Valley, California
  • Christian Wylie, Managing Director, Bodega Garzon, Uruguay
  • Sofia Araya, Winemaker, Ritual, Casablanca Valley, Chile
  • Nikolai Rudametkin, La Lomita Winery, Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

Join us on ZOOM, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube or streamed live on my Sawyer Sommelier Facebook page! #SauvBlancDay

Competition, Event, Festivals, Film, Sommelier, Video, Wine

SIFF: The Wine Awards 2021!

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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!

Event, Food, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Wine

Chardonnay Classic: On Site In Napa Valley! May 20-22

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The 2021 Chardonnay Classic, from May 20-22, 2021 will reunite wine enthusiasts’ minds and palates to celebrate the greatness of Chardonnay. One of the world’s most beloved, dynamic, and delicious grape varieties. This inaugural gathering will feature some of the finest domestic and international producers of Chardonnay and will take place at the Meritage and Vista Collina Resorts.

A weekend of indulgence curated by master sommeliers and acclaimed winemakers set in the beautiful Napa Valley. The program features iconic wine country experiences, gourmet lunches, luxury dinners and 22 unique tastings that culminate in a Grand Tasting of Chardonnay. Vintners, industry experts, and enthusiasts alike gather together to celebrate the incredible range of Chardonnay!

Purchase your full weekend ticket before 5/8 and save $300 with Early Bird pricing! Use promo code CHARD15 to claim the savings. To purchase your Chardonnay Classic ticket(s) click “TICKETS”.

Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

Benovia Winery, So Co Barrel Auction & The Varietal Show!

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Here comes the7th Sonoma County Barrel Auction, an annual event produced by Sonoma County Vintners, for wine futures and collectable wines – representing the stylistic range and world-class quality of Sonoma County. The Varietal Show gets the scoop from winemaker Mike Sullivan of Benovia Winery. In this two part feature we discuss the auction and their spectacular Never Before, Never Again auction lot. #SoCoBA

This virtual auction is for members of the wine trade, wine collectors and media: It opens online Weds May 5, and closes Friday May 7. The funds raised at the Sonoma County Barrel Auction support Sonoma County Vintners marketing programs and initiatives. To register, visit SoCoBarrelAuction.com/attend/

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