Category Archives: Food

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

Food, Varietal, Wine

Join me at the Zin-Zin Din-Din! Gravenstein Grill on June 29th

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Just want to shout out a big THANK YOU to everyone who attended the sold-out Balletto Vineyards & Winery Winemaker’s Dinner at Gravenstein Grill! For those that missed it mark your calendars for this follow up opportunity.

The Zin-Din on June 29th!

It will feature fabulous zinfandels from ACORN Winery, Hartford Court Family Winery, Gamba Vineyards & Winery and more! I will be there again as your happy Sommelier Chris Sawyer. Stay tuned for the menu details at the Gravenstein Grill Facebook page and call 707-634-6142 to make your reservations!

Gravenstein Grill is located at
8050 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Food, Sommelier, Travels, Wine

Countdown to Telluride Wine Festival, June 22-25

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Wines are arriving, travel plans stirring, stomachs rumbling for the big event next week! If you are not coming be sure to follow the adventures on social media, but virtual is nothing like the reality of those gorgeous mountains, delicious wines and elegant meals.  Hope you will all be joining me there!
Cheers! Christopher

Hosting a seminar at the Telluride Wine Festival 2016.
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Food, Sommelier, Travels, Uncategorized, Wine

Balletto Vineyard Winemaker’s Dinner on June 8th

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Join me for our inaugural wine dinner at Gravenstein Grill featuring Balletto Vineyards & Winery.  I am hosting the event with winemaker Anthony Beckman, pairing Balleto wines with an incredible menu by Bob Simontacchi, sure to entice and delight any palate! 

Seating is limited so call 707-634-6142 or email brandon@gravensteingrill.com now, to guarantee your spot! 

Event, Food, Garden, Wine

Sunset Celebration Weekend at Cornerstone! May 20-21

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This is a fun event for all ages!  For those that missed the news, Sunset Magazine purchased Cornerstone in Sonoma, so we are lucky that they now use the gardens for their annual celebration.  Lots of great activities including Wine & Spirits seminars, Iced Tea Sampling, Succulent Potting, Cocktail Garden, Music Stage as well as a great line-up of star chefs and talent; Chef Ryan Scott, Chef Perry Hoffman, Chef Ari Weiswasser, Tyler Malek, many of Sunset‘s own editors, and more!

Sunset Celebration Weekend @Cornerstone
May 20 & 21, 11am to 5pm
Purchase tickets HERE!

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Food, Sommelier, Wine

Delightful Spring Dishes to Make & Try!

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With the onset of spring weather (mostly!) the palate begins to savor the delicacies of the season. Lovely ingredients tantalize our thoughts until we can just get a few tastes to carry on until they meet again!  For instance this recipe for Garlic Prawns with Warm Cucumber and Ginger Salad shared by the Wine Institute of California:  Easy to make for a light weekend meal.

Then there are the easy-to-make wine paired treats like this Spinach and Strawberry Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Balsamic Vinaigrette that is best served with Kunde Family Winery Chardonnay, Wildwood Vineyard.

Or if you don’t feel like making anything, just go try this decadent Vegan White Bean & Vegetable Puree with Sebastopol Mushrooms and Pesto being served at the Gravenstein Grill:  Simply pair it with Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards Blanc de Noirs from my specialty wine list.

Enjoy! Christopher

Food, Travels, Wine

Try out my new Wine List at Gravenstein Grill!

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The amazing halibut dish! See more food porn below.
The amazing halibut dish! See more food porn below.

If you find your way out to Sebastopol, then be sure to stop by The Gravenstein Grill, located at 8050 Bodega Avenue in Sebastopol!  It recently opened with food by star chef Bob Simontacchi of Brick & Bottle fame.

My family and I have already sampled their menu a few times with of course fabulous wines, but there is a spacious bar with hand-crafted cocktails, and Sonoma County’s famous micro-brews to experience as well.  Looking forward to finer weather to enjoy cool sips at the outdoor patio.

Check out the Menu & make your reservation!  Restaurant opens at 5pm, the bar at 4pm; Both close at 9:30, and until 10pm Friday & Saturday (closed Tuesday).  (707) 634-6142

Hope to see you there! Christopher

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Food, History, Travels, Wine

Astoria, Oregon Crab & Wine Fest! April 28-30

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If only I could be in two places . . . why my obscure obsession with the coast of Oregon? Because I lived there of course! In Astoria to be exact, for two years of my High School career. A place that is still warm to my heart as well as the memories of delicious sea food. While I will be returning this summer for the many-year HS reunion, perhaps there are others that can be there this weekend for the official 35th Annual Astoria Warrenton Crab, Sea Food & Wine Festival. Running Friday April 28 through Sunday April 30th, swing by and enjoy if you happen to be in north west Oregon!

The friendly representation of Sweet Cheeks Winery at the 2015 festival!
The friendly representation of Sweet Cheeks Winery at the 2015 festival!