Category Archives: Food

Event, Food, Tasting, Wine

The Annual Paulée dinner at Arista, April 30th

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To celebrate the SoCo Barrel Auction, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers and Arista Winery in Healdsburg will be hosting THE ULTIMATE WINEMAKER DINNER on April 30th.

The Annual Paulée Dinner is timed to coincide with the Sonoma County Barrel Auction.  In the spirit of the Paulée tradition, which originated in Burgundy, the Russian River Valley Paulée brings winemakers and collectors together to enjoy an elegant multi-course meal paired with rare and favorite wines from winemakers’s & guests’ personal cellars, in a family style seating which fosters the spirit of community and an ideal format for the shared love of great wine.

Purchase Tickets!

paulee dinner
Savor specialties from Russian River Valley chefs:
Tim Kaulfers of Arista Winery, Duskie Estes of ZAZU kitchen & farm, Dustin Valette of Valette Restaurant and Cheyenne Simpkins of Wine Country Feasts.

Enjoy the Wines of Arista Winery, Bacigalupi Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Benovia Winery, Davis Bynum, Davis Family Vineyards, Dutton-Goldfield, Gary Farrell, Gordian Knot, J Vineyards & Winery, Joseph Swan, MacPhail Family Wines, MacRostie Winery & Vineyards, Martinelli Winery, Migration, Ramey Wine Cellars, Sonoma-Cutrer & Viszlay Vineyards.

paulee

Appellation, Food, Tasting, Wine

Join the Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting – Thursday April 21st

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I will be moderating the fabulous Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting yet again this year in San Francisco on Thursday April 21!  The event is from 5–7pm at The Presidio Golden Gate Club, on 135 Fisher Loop, SF.

MVSF 2016Twenty Mt. Veeder wines will be featured with gourmet small bites from Presidio Foods Catering and assorted artisan cheeses, charcuterie, crackers and breads.  Don’t miss out…it’s the only time of the year you can TASTE and PURCHASE Mt. Veeder wines ON SITE…most of which are not open to the public.

Purchase tickets HERE, visit MtVeederWines.com
or call 707-266-1296.

Cheers! Christopher

Festivals, Food, Tasting, Wine

Bubbles & Blooms at Gloria Ferrer on Sat, April 9th!

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A Festival of Spring at this amazing House of Bubbly, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, on Saturday from 12-4pm!

gf_bloomsBubbles & Blooms brings professionals from Flower Magazine to teach creative floral arranging, displays, wreaths, and more! See colorful flower art installations perfect for special occasions.

Peruse the on-site garden market for plants and fresh arrangements to get you started enhancing your home. Test your luck winning raffle prizes ranging from floral arrangements to garden equipment!

See you there! Christopher

Charity, Food, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Vintage Comet Wine Tasting Train: Only in April!

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western-railway-museum-logoWe just visited the amazing Western Railway Museum, located along the Highway 12 corridor, for a family train ride and exploration of some historic rail cars.  Just wanted to share with you an opportunity to ride The Comet for wine tasting, appetizers and door prizes, on the next three Saturday’s in April 9, 16 & 23.

This fundraiser will benefit the museum, which is non-profit, and the Solano Midnight Sun Breast Cancer Foundation.

Secure your TICKETS, yesterday’s train apparently sold out!

If you cannot make this event, there are others to look for throughout the year.  Or you can just swing over for a weekend family adventure instead!

A stop along our train trip at the Western Railway Museum.
A stop along our train trip at the Western Railway Museum.
Event, Festivals, Film, Food, Video, Wine

Sonoma International Film Festival: March 30-April 3

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I’m diving into another great film, wine and epicurean adventure! SIFF 2016 gets started on Wednesday.  This year there will be more than 90 hand-selected films including independent features, documentaries, world cinema, and short films. All within walking distance of Sonoma’s historic plaza.

Come view, taste and stroll with me in Sonoma! Christopher

siff2016

 

Competition, Food, Judging, Wine

Pizza prizes and plentiful posts! Saturday, March 26th

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Follow my social media this weekend for updates from Sebastiani’s pizza16bPizza My Way Contest™.   Participants entered their homemade pizza recipe and will be competing for the $10,000 Grand Prize!

The event is sold out, but I will be sharing posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter of the best pizza and wine pairings done by me and my fellow judges Tony Gemignani of Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in SF, Tony’s of North Beach at the Graton Casino, and author of The Pizza Bible by Ten Speed Press; Sondra Bernstein, proprietor of girl & the fig restaurant in Sonoma; and Chef Carlo Cavali of Burgers & Vine in Sonoma.

Also look for my posts of recipes to try at home!
Christopher

Fun selfie of me and Pizza King Tony Gemignani taken at Flavor Napa Valley. This week, Tony and I will be judging the Pizza My Way event at Sebastiani Winery in Sonoma.
Fun selfie of me and Pizza King Tony Gemignani taken at Flavor Napa Valley. This week, Tony and I will be judging the Pizza My Way event at Sebastiani Winery in Sonoma.
Event, Food, news, People, Uncategorized, Wine

Wine Radio! Tune in to Talk910 for Somm Talk today. . .March 19th

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JRNew.phpJoel Riddell talks Flavor! Napa Valley starting today at 1:15, you can listen via the Dining Around link or on the airwaves at Talk910.  Listen for his interviews with winemakers, chefs and, at 2pm, myself and Master Sommelier Gillian Balance!  Gillian is on the panel for High Elevation Wines Part 1 and The Rhone Zone wine classes:  Listen, learn and join one of our classes!

Cheers! Christopher

Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Wine

On The Wine Road: Breakfast with the Winemakers!

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The next two weekends On The Wine Road will be Barrel Tasting, and four opportunities for you to have breakfast with local winemakers! Join me or another knowledgeable host for a full breakfast along with time for Q&A with the winemakers. Bring your questions—learn more about winemaking, what to be aware of when tasting barrel samples, and what to look for when making buying decisions when purchasing futures.

Breakfast with the Winemakers

March 5 – Sbragia Family Vineyards
CHRISTOPHER SAWYER
Katarina Bond, West Wines
Paul Brasset, Bluenose Wines
Ed Sbragia, Sbragia Family Wines

March 5 – Inspiration Vineyards
ZIGGY THE WINE GAL
Jon Philips , Inspiration Vineyards
Stew Lauterbach, Lauterbach Cellars
Wendy Morrow – Tara Bella Winery

March 12 – J. Rickards Winery
CHRISTOPHER SAWYER
Jim Rickards, J. Rickards Winery
Ed Sbragia, Sbragia Vineyards
Gio Martorana, Martorana Family Winery
Joe or Dom Foppoli, Christopher Creek Winery

March 12 – Siduri Wines
MARCY GORDON
Adam Lee, Siduri
Randy Pitts, Harvest Moon
Tim Borges, Portalupi
Rod Berglund, Joseph Swan

Breakfast tickets also include your weekend Barrel Tasting pass. Seating is limited for each breakfast, so don’t delay in purchasing your tickets!

Find Sawyer! At the 40th Anniversary of The Wine Road in Sonoma County, one of these wine fans of world-class wines could be you!
Find Sawyer! At the 40th Anniversary of The Wine Road in Sonoma County, one of these wine fans of world-class wines could be you!
Charity, Farm, Food, Tasting, Wine

Flavor! Napa Valley: Five Days, Forty Events – One Legendary Festival

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logo3Here is your opportunity to join all the star chefs and winemakers flocking to the CIA and other special venues for Flavor! Napa Valley.  As wine director this year, I have organized some amazing events ranging from local and celebrity chef demonstrations to intimate winemaker workshops along with Grand Tastings and exclusive experiences that bring out the best flavors of Napa Valley.  Be sure to check the schedule to see when you can attend!

dessertThis year Flavor! Napa Valley takes place during Cabernet Season and provides experiences in the finest in farm-to-table cuisine, world-class wines and culinary star talent.  It’s the perfect time of year for five days of culinary indulgence, and to wine and dine with Napa Valley’s legendary talent.

oystableTicket sale proceeds benefit The Culinary Institute of America.  Stay tuned this week as I will be posting more details about individual classes however you can find out more and purchase tickets at the Events Page!

Cheers!  Christopher