Thank yous go all around to these amazing people for coming to Telluride, sharing their wines and making it a great experience for me and the wine lovers in attendance! Such spectacular memories, many more than in the pictures below.
Bob Iantosca of Gloria Ferrer
Dave Phillips of Michael David
James MacPhail of The Calling
Julia Iantosca of Lasseter Family Winery
Lise & Vincent Ciolino of Montemaggiore
Michael McCullough of Drew Family Wines
Mike Sullivan of Benovia
Randall Watkins of Laurel Glen
Ryan Solis of Kunde
Tres Goetting of Robert Biale Vineyards
Clockwise: Bob pours Brut at the Sunday Brunch; Tres shares his wares at the Grand Tasting; Some delicious selections from The Calling; On the town with Ryan, Mike, Randall taking an obligatory selfie!
Clockwise: Myself, Lise, Nadia the Somm and Dave at the Trending Now Lunch; Some Rodney Strong & Davis Bynum at the Grand Tasting; The beautiful view of Mountain Village; The first event, Precious Bites Luncheon with Julia, Bob, Mike and myself.
Special announcement! If you are considering the Napa Valley Film Festival this week then maybe I can entice you to join me: I will be moderating the Culinary Demos throughout the week, as well as attending Variety’s 10 to Taste. Get your tickets ASAP!
Maybe not the river you are thinking of, but distinctive to Sonoma County nonetheless! The Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival is coming, next Saturday September 17, from 1-5pm.
The festival will include 20 local breweries and some delicious bites. Add live music to the mix, including our favorite little western swing band Sugar Moon! Here is a preview. . .
The 7th Annual “Stars Under the Stars” Outdoor Film Festival at St. Francis Winery finishes off the season with an evening at “Jurassic Park”! Perhaps not the scariest film of the season following last week’s political fare but definitely a freak fest for the whole family. I will be there as your festival sommelier to pair St Francis’ world class wines with world class films. Starts at 7pm.
Jurassic Park Starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern & Jeff Goldblum (1993) Pre-show concert by: Band Camp
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Featured Wines
$10 per glass (Includes a keepsake St. Francis logoed glass) | $8 Refill 2014 Chardonnay, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley 2014 “Old Vines” Zinfandel, Sonoma County
Admission & Popcorn are Free! Wines and El Coyote Mexican Food will be available for purchase.
This week at the 7th Annual “Stars Under the Stars” Outdoor Film Festival at St. Francis Winery will be the political classic “The Candidate”, starring a youthful Robert Redford and Peter Boyle. I will be there as your festival sommelier to pair St Francis’ world class wines with world class films. Starts at 7pm, admission is free!
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The Candidate StarringRobert Redford & Peter Boyle (1972) Pre-show concert by: The Atomic Lounge Show
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Featured Wines $10 per glass (Includes a keepsake St. Francis logoed glass) | $8 Refill 2015 Chardonnay, Sonoma County
2013 Old Vines Zinfandel, Bacchi vineyard, Russian River Valley
The 7th Annual “Stars Under the Stars” Outdoor Film Festival at St. Francis Winery continues. Get ready for an evening of intrigue with “National Treasure: Book of Secrets”, which includes an introduction by the film’s Executive Producer Charles Segars. I will be there as your festival sommelier to pair St Francis’ world class wines with world class films. Starts at 7pm, admission is free!
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National Treasure: Book of Secrets Starring Nicolas Cage (2007) Pre-show concert by: Ragtag Sullivan Duo
Thursday, July 14, 2016
Featured Wines $10 per glass (Includes a keepsake St. Francis logoed glass) | $8 Refill 2015 Chardonnay, Sonoma County
2013 Meritage, Anthem, Sonoma County
It’s back again, the 7th Annual “Stars Under the Stars” Outdoor Film Festival at St. Francis Winery. I will be there every Thursday in July as your festival sommelier to pair St Francis’ world class wines with world class films. Starts at 7pm, admission is free!
Sleepless in Seattle StarringTom Hanks & Meg Ryan (1993) Pre-show concert by: Z & The Benders
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Featured Wines $10 per glass (Includes a keepsake St. Francis logoed glass) 2015 Chardonnay, Sonoma County
2014 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
First of all a big THANK YOU to the wonderful folks at Gloria Ferrer, Wilson-Daniels, Deutch Family, Keller Estate, Banfi, Ramey, Failla, Aril, Goosecross, Grieve, Arista, Garnet, Palm Bay Imports, E&J Gallo, Rodney Strong, Southern Wines & Spirits, Republic National Distributing Co & Grand Vin, and especially my assistant Teale. They all made this happen!
Warm welcome to the historic town of Telluride on Main Street with the famous Idarado Legacy Trail and Rocky Mountains in the background. (top/bottom) Exploring the complex flavor profiles of Coastal Pinot Noirs with tasty offerings from The Calling, Garnet Vineyards, Keller Estate, Arista Winery and Three Sticks Wines. Special thanks to Sonoma County Vintners & Petaluma Gap board member Ana Keller for being part of this sold-out seminar for 70 people with me!
For my pairing with the exclusive Caviar Dinner at a private residence in Mountain Village, an all-star lineup of fine European bubbles from Gosset Champagne, Pierre Sparr, and Buglioni. (Left)
-Alsatian Invasion: Fun Sunday morning photo shoot with a bottle of the Pierre Sparr Cremant d’Alsace Brut Rose and the spectacular Bridal Veil Falls in the background. (top right to bottom)
-My great friend Lars Leicht of Cru Artisan and Banfi Vintners speaking to a packed house at our fun seminar and tasting, The Extraordinary Tuscan Experience.
-Sonoma County Vintners in bubbly form! Fabulous bottles of the Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs and the J Wine Company Cuvee 20 featured at an amazing Saveur Pass Luncheon & Sparkling Wines to kick off the festival with the towering Mount Wilson in the background.
Post-Caviar Dinner photo I took of the star chefs I was honored to work with at the Telluride Wine Festival 2016 (from front): James Reaux of the Coast II Coast Restaurant Group; Angela Covington of Manchester Farms Quail; local star Angelee Aurillo; Bernard Guillas of Marine Restaurant in San Diego; and Master Baker Lionel Vatinet.
The brilliant Second Course at the Caviar Dinner created by talented Chef Bernard Guillas of Marine Restaurant in San Diego featuring fresh sashimi-grade Alaskan Halibut, Black River Caviar, and more flavorful accouterments! (top left)
-At the “King Georges” Gala to honor iconic French Chef George Perrier, founder of Le Bec-Fin Restaurant in Philadelphia in 1970, a Soufflé Glace Grand Marnier by Chef Jason Bayle. (left to right)
-#SawyerSelfieDeluxe with Chef Ann Cooper, founder of the Chef Ann Foundation, a magnificent charitable organization focused on making sure kids eat healthy at schools across the nation. Check out www.chefannfoundation.org to learn more information about this amazing project.
-Recreating one of Chef George Perrier’s most famous dishes during his forty-year stint at his famous restaurant in Philadelphia, the Gallette de Crabe “Le Bec-Fin” by Chef James Reaux.
In the mix of organizing wine seminars, shipments and special guests for the Telluride Wine Festival, I also made time to record this podcast interview with Susan Viebock at Telluride Inside & Out. Keep an eye on my social media for interesting wines, guests and activities this week at the festival!
