Category Archives: Film

Festivals, Film, Food, Wine

Napa Valley Film Festival: November 8-12

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It’s not just for movies anymore!  NVFF is the ultimate celebration of film, food and wine, throughout the vibrant Napa Valley. Attendees enjoy cooking demonstrations, afternoon wine tastings, winemaker dinners and more, as well as an amazing selection of films!

This year the Caldwell Vineyards Maverick Tribute will be given to Will Ferrell.

The new Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch Humanitarian Tribute will be presented to actors Nikki Reed and Ian Somerhalder of the Ian Somerhalder Foundation.

Other actors receiving recognition in 2017 are Nancy Meyers (“It’s Complicated,” “The Intern”), Michael Shannon (“The Shape of Water,” “The Current War”), and Michael Stuhlbarg (“Call Me By Your Name,” “The Shape of Water”) at various scheduled events.

Hope to see you there! Christopher

Art, Film, Sommelier, Wine

Make Way for the Vampyre Sommelier!

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It is time for the Vampyre Sommelier to make his seasonal appearance!  He has been keeping busy this year, with a jaunt in Pill Head, an upcoming Artsploitation film with some of the same folks.  Scroll down to see the V.S. in action!

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The Vampyre Sommelier’s Dilemma from Raymond Scott Daigle on Vimeo.

Film, Sommelier, Video

The Duel of Wine: Film & Tasting Seminar, September 23rd

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This is an amazing opportunity, not only to view The Duel of Wine, an Internationally recognized film, but also to join me with the star, Charlie Arturaola, world-famous sommelier for the tasting and screening.  Check out the film preview below!

Both events take place on Saturday September 23rd, at Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen, a gorgeous setting to enjoy fine wines.

The Tasting Seminar begins at 2pm with Charlie, myself and Michael Traverso, a representative of the Italian Estates of Wilson Daniels.   Film screening of The Duel of Wine begins at 7:45, Italian wines will be available for purchase as well as the evening menu, Chicken Cacciatore and Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables.  (Please no outside wine or food.)

Seminar tickets are $75 per seat; Film admission is $20; both can be purchased through Wine Country Film Festival or contact wcfilmfest@aol.com.

Art, Film, Wine

Pill Head: The Independent Art Flick!

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Some of you know I have had film cameos and numerous interviews throughout the digital and audio realms.  Well Pill Head is my newest adventure, making my big screen debut as The Sommelier in the new feature film being made by our friends Karen Hess and Daedalus Howell.  Not so much of a stretch theatrically for me but more a case of perfect casting!  Filming begins September 30th, so please contribute toward the production with plans to witness the final product in the near future: http://igg.me/at/pillhead

The  Pill Head kick-off reception last month at La Dolce Vita Wine Lounge in Petaluma was a hoot, and yielded a spirited original interview with Writer-Director Daedalus and Assistant Director Ben Staub.  Enjoy this discussion as a primer for what may (or may not be) to come!


(originally aired on The Morning Show, KSVY, 91.3 FM, Sonoma)

Event, Film, Food, Wine

St. Francis events: Grease & Luxury Bacon Dinner

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A perfect pairing!  After you join us for the movie night showing of Grease on Thursday July 13th, plan to return for the weekend’s 6th Ever Luxury Bacon Dinner at the St. Francis Winery & Vineyard dining room, 6:30 pm on July 15th.  Procure your tickets!

RECEPTION

Mini Quiche Lorraine

Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp with Saba Glaze

Bacon Burger Sliders

2015 Chardonnay, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
2014 Cabernet Franc, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

 DINNER

Smoked Trout, Egg & Potato Salad
Herb Salad |  House Cured Bacon | Salmon Roe
2015 Chardonnay, Martinelli Vineyard, Russian River Valley

BBQ Pork Belly
Chipotle Glaze | Corn Purée | Fried Green Tomatoes
Pickled Green Tomatoes | Piquillo Pepper Relish
2014 Malbec, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

Stuffed Porchetta
Grilled Peaches | Charred Cippolini Onions | Mustard Greens
Bacon-Fontina Polenta
2014 Zinfandel, Montecillo Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

Bacon Banana Bread
Salted Caramel Ice Cream | Banana-Walnut Fritters
2014 Port, Sonoma County

Film, Food, Wine

Classic Summer: St. Francis Outdoor Film Festival in July

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Heads up for this weeks premiere of the St. Francis Outdoor Film Festival: July 6th is The Breakfast Club!  Plus the special pre-show concert will be Band Camp.

Stars Under the Stars Outdoor Film Festival takes place every Thursday night at the Winery from July 6 to July 27.  Seating on the lawn begins at 7pm with a pre-show concert and wine reception.  El Coyote Food Truck will be serving delicious Mexican food available for purchase. Feature film begins at dusk.  I will be there to pair St. Francis’ world class wines with world class films.

Also mark your calendar for the upcoming shows:

  • Grease on July 13
  • Some Like It Hot on July 20
  • Good Will Hunting on July 27

See you there! Christopher

Event, Film, Food, Wine

Jessup Cellars: 2017 Art House Short Film Series

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Hurry to get tickets while you can!  Twitter reports January and February are already sold out.  So jump on the March and April TICKETS to this delightful epicurean event.

March 11 & April 8
7:00pm to 9:30pm

Jessup Cellars, in partnership with the San Jose Short Film Festival, Napa Valley Film Festival and CellarPass.com, presents the 4th Annual Art House Short Film Series.  Each gathering features four award-winning short films paired with a Jessup Cellars wine and Chef MikeC’s Wok-Popped Flavor-Infused Popcorn.  The screenings include meet-and-greets with guest filmmakers and the opportunity to purchase wines in support of indie short film projects.

Film, People

In Memorium: the Reynolds-Fisher Power Duo

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The year 2016 ended with the unexpected loss of two women, a mother and daughter, that shocked us all.  As a film lover I have to acknowledge this and want to refer you to an upcoming documentary on HBO this coming Saturday January 7th at 8pm.  Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds was filmed in 2015 and set for release this summer but the demand is now.  We all need one more fix of these amazing ladies!

Read this article by SF Chronicle television reviewer David Wiegand for more insight about the film:
Debbie Reynolds, Carrie Fisher and a mother-daughter bond