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.
Is your mouth watering yet? Don’t miss the last chance this season to attend Tapas on The Terrace at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards on August 4th, 5:30-7:30.
Unwind, relax and join in at the end of your day for award-winning wines, tasty tapas, and live Spanish entertainment from Duarte Music!
Ticket price includes a glass of wine upon arrival, plate of mixed tapas, and live entertainment.
The results are in! Check out the wines that won at SFIWC 2016 this year. Also, enjoy a few pics from my days judging at Hotel Nikko while you are at it. Cheers! Christopher
Pink Out! The start of a colorful flight of Rosé on Day 1; (clockwise from left); Taking a break with my fellow judges, wine guru Jeffery Stivers and New Orleans-based wine and spirits radio personality Tim McNally; #StrengthInNumbers: Selfie Deluxe with my fellow judges sommelier Eduardo Dingler of Morimoto Napa; wine educator Ian Blackburn of LA-based WineCloudInc; sommelier Tonya Pitts of One Market SF, author, wine personality and star of Check Please Bay Area Leslie Sbracco, and author, sommelier and proprietor of A16 and RN74 in SF, Shelley Lindgren; The magnificent menu for the Judges Dinner at Hotel Nikko International, with dazzling wines provided by Gloria Ferrer and Jaimeson Ranch wineries.
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
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.
For those staying local this weekend here is a nearby option to taste wines from over 30 Mendocino wineries!
Taste of Mendocino will be pouring their best wines, with numerous artisanal food producers serving up delicious bites to complement. Take a trek to SF, at the Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, Gallery 308, 2 Marina Blvd, Bldg A. Tickets are $60.
Wine, food and MUSIC!!!! That is what Bottle Rock Napa is all about, so starting the vibe with an epic stage shot of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now let’s ease into a collection from the entire weekend!
Inhaling the wonders of DJBoom (aka Stevie Wonder) and his respect for the great musicians who passed in 2016. Check out a video of him on Facebook at Christopher Sawyer Sommelier!
Celebrating “The Catch” (aka a magnificent Salmon dish) prepared by star Chef Michael Mina and guest sous chef, 49ers legend Dwight Clark!
Enjoy the first sip of what would become an epic performance by Florence and the Machine at the JaM Cellars Stage!Selfie with Superstar Chef Mei Lin.Discussing the beauties of Bottle Rock Napa and great charitable works done by singer Michael Franti & Co!
FLLLLLLEA! Flea and Red Hot Chili Peppers rock out with the colors out on closing night of Bottle Rock Napa Valley 2016!
With the recent relocation of Sunset Magazine headquarters, Sonoma County also inherits the 18th Annual Celebration Weekend! Join editors, celebrity chefs, vintners, craft beer brewers and renowned lifestyle experts at Cornerstone in Sonoma, CA, for this two-day series of culinary, wine, garden and lifestyle events. Enjoy the grand opening of Sunset’s Test Gardens and Outdoor Kitchen, as well as an all-new, high-design Airstream Village. More event information at Sunset Magazine.
VIP ticket holders will experience even more at Celebration Weekend, including: Early entry at 10am Welcome gift bag Unlimited tastes from wine, beer, and spirits purveyors Exclusive VIP lounge access, including live entertainment, featured regional wines, refreshments, catered meals and snacks
Purchase you tickets HERE!
See what Celebration Weekend has in store for you
in this video montage!
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.
