If you aren’t feeling the pull, like I am, to the Sierra Nevadas this weekend (see The Big Crush), then perhaps you can enjoy some local sips to support worthy North Bay causes?
On Saturday October 3rd you can Raise the Roof along with an assortment of farmers, wineries, restaurants, hoteliers, insurance agents, realtors, event planners, civic leaders, local law and fire department personnel, and many other local Sonoma County businesses. Proceeds go to help victims of the recent Valley fire in Lake County.
Attend the event and participate in the silent auction while enjoying delectable wines from the most sought after wineries and sensational bites from featured chefs including Dustin Valette, Duskie Estes, Guy Fieri, Nicolai Lipscomb to name a few. Tickets are $100 pre-sale or $125 at the Sonoma Jet Center doors in Santa Rosa.
Admission is FREE! Winery Dog of the Year Contest entry is $10. Wines by glass, raffle tickets, silent auction all contribute to funds raised for animals in need.
For the first year, Gloria Ferrer and Top Chef star, Brooke Williamson, have teamed up and are on a mission to discover the most glorious appetizer recipe in the country at the Glorious Bites Appetizer Challenge.
All appetizers will be judged by Williamson and an expert panel on originality, perceived taste appeal and perceived ability to pair with the Gloria Ferrer Sonoma Brut. In addition to Williamson, final event judging panelists will include: myself, Christopher Sawyer, founder of SawyerSomm.com, Sondra Bernstein, Proprietor of the girl & the fig and ESTATE in Sonoma & the fig café & winebar in Glen Ellen, CA, and Steven Urberg, Winemaker for Gloria Ferrer. The cook-off will be emceed by award-winning author, speaker, wine consultant, and television host Leslie Sbrocco.
The regional finalists will participate in a live cook-off on Saturday October 10th, 11am to 2pm, that will culminate at the National Finals at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards in Sonoma, CA.
Not only did Sonoma Wine Country Weekend raise an amazing amount of money for local charities, but it was lots of fun too! Read the details in this Press Democrat article, enjoy a few candid shots and plan to join us all next year. . .
Giving a new meaning to photo bombing with my fellow team members of #SommStars 2015. Special thanks to photo guru George Rose for taking this dynamic action shot!
Colorful characters: Chris Donatiello of C. Donatiello Wines and Jean-Charles Boisset of Buena Vista Winery, Deloach Winery and Boisset Estate Wines.
Lot 5, the Super Bowl Experience for four guests with Benovia and Kosta Browne wineries, sold for for $160,000!
Honoring the charitable contributions of Bob Stone and his family through the years during the Sonoma Harvest Wine Auction at Chateau St. Jean Winery, MC Squire Fridell of Glen Lyon Winery, SVVGA Executive Director Maureen Cottingham, and Carolyn Stone.
The Jordan 1976 vintage was tasting outstanding with lively notes of red fruit, olive, mineral and herbs.
Last week I attended a very special luncheon in Alexander Valley to honor Jordan winemaker Rob Davis. Here is a link to the Jordan blog and some of my photos that explain the significance:
At the Rob Davis 40th Harvest Luncheon at Jordan Vineyard & Winery: Rob with his daughter Andrea (named after his mentor Andre Tchelistcheff) and Rob’s other mentor UC Davis professor emeritus Dr. Ann Noble, the creator of The Wine Aroma Wheel.
SF Giants coach Bruce Bochy holding a bottle of the famed 1994 vintage we enjoyed with special guest Jean-Claude Berrouet of Chateau Petrus.
Me with my good friend Leslie Sbracco and SF Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper.
Yes, I have been keeping rather busy and it just continues, this weekend it will be the inaugural WIND toWINE Festival hosted by the Petaluma Gap!
The fun starts Friday night August 7th with two wine dinners at Keller Estate & McEvoyRanch. Then at the Sheraton Petaluma on Saturday, August 8th there will be more than 60 wines available for tasting as well as a VIP Seminar“A Winemaker’s Perspective on the Petaluma Gap AVA” hosted by ME!
Napa Valley’s cult-favorite-whole-animal-wood-fired-outdoor feast, brought to you by Cochon 555’S Heritage Fire, features 3000 pounds of fire kissed meat at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena this Sunday August 2nd, 3pm– 7pm.
Join me and the Nerd Stalker for this one! The goal of the events produced by the team at Cochon 555 are to promote honest food artisans, celebrate family farms, and create culinary awareness for those hard working people responsibly raising heritage species. The events tilt the scales in favor of the farms and the relationship with the emerging chef community constantly struggling with paying premium food prices when the decision is made to serve their guests safer, flavorful food raised locally.
*Tickets available at COCHON 555*
A portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit St. Helena Farmers Market and the American Institute of Wine & Food. A group of celebrated butchers will host a Pop-Up Butcher Shop presented by Williams-Sonoma where 100% of the proceeds will benefit the students of the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone.
What is ZigSaw? It’s when Sawyer Somm and Ziggy the Wine Gal get together to talk about their favorite subject! Keep an eye out for our show on Allvino.com starting in August 2015.
Korbell NV Blanc de Noirs Sparkling Wine, California ($11.99) One of the most intriguing sparkling wines around! Unlike most Blanc de Noirs, which are made primarily with just Pinot Noir grapes; this magnificent new release has smaller portions of three other flavorful red grapes varieties: Zinfandel, Gamay and Sangiovese. As a result, the wine has lively flavors of raspberry, strawberry and cherry; soft, spicy notes of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg; and a long, enchanting finish that makes you want more! SawyerSomm Pairings: Great wine to serve with brunch, especially with Lox & Bagels, fresh fruit and tangy salads; for lunch, think chilled soups, BLTs, turkey sandwiches; and for dinner, salds with goat cheese and berries, tuna tartare, salmon, sushi, pork with fruit chutney.
Thirty-Seven 2013 Albarino, Paradise View Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($22) Crisp, dry and refreshing wine with fresh aromas of summer flowers, melon, citrus, and mineral. Lively flavors of Meyer lemon, lime peel, cantaloupe, white pepper, and a burst of bright tangy acidity on the finish. SawyerSomm Pairings: fresh oysters, Ceviche, spring rolls, fish tacos, and grilled chicken with zesty lime aioli.
Trattore Farms 2013 Roussanne, Estate Grown, Dry Creek Valley ($28) Blended with a small portion of Viognier, too. This dazzling medium to full bodied wine has lovely aromas and bright flavors of white peach, ripe melon, fresh squeezed grapefruit, hint of apricot, vibrant acidity and lush creamy texture. SawyerSomm Pairings: Medium cheeses, guacamole, Heirloom tomato salad, peaches and citrus, poached scallops, sea bass, pasta with tangy white sauce, and lemon chicken.
Acorn 2012 Dolcetto, Alegria Vineyards, Russian River Valley ($35) Dolcetto is best known for being one of the flavorful red grapes grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Through the years, Acorn Winery in Healdsburg has made one of the finest offerings from the United States. Not surprisingly, this new release did great against selections from around the globe at the San Francisco International Wine Competition 2015. Captivating notes include: lofty aromas of wild berries, citrus peel, cocoa and spice; vibrant flavors of fresh-picked blackberries, blueberry, boysenberry, black pepper, espresso, and roasted walnut; tangy acidity; soft texture. Alluring, playful and generous. SawyerSomm Pairings: Salty cheeses, especially parmesan or Vella Dry Jack; pulled pork sandwiches; grilled veggies, Ahi tuna with Espresso Rub, pan-seared Liberty Duck breast; gourmet sausages and juicy burgers done on the grill.
McEvoy 2011 Red Piano, Estate Bottled, North Coast ($35) Gold Medal winner at both the San Francisco International Wine Competition 2015 and the North Coast Wine Challenge earlier this year, this wine is all about Mediterranean delights. Made with a selection from special blocks of Syrah, Grenache, Montalpuciano and Refosco planted at the McEvoy Ranch south of Petaluma, the wine features lovely aromas of red fruits, red apple peel, blood orange and spice. On the palate, the flavors are layered with notes of dark cherry, pomegranate, licorice, white pepper, and fresh herbs. SawyerSomm Pairings: A dazzling picnic wine, especially when paired with a selection of local chesses, charcuterie, baguette, fresh berries, roasted nuts, cured olives, and McEvoy Olive Oil. Other tasty pairings include grilled fish with savory herbs; pasta with hearty red sauce; pomegranate chicken; lamb sliders; sweet & sour pork; baby back ribs; and grilled red meats.
Casablanca will be the featured film this Thursday July 16th at St Francis Winery for the 6th Annual Outdoor Film Festival. While I will be tasting wines in Italy, imagine the amazing pairing you can enjoy with St Francis wines and Moroccan Chicken Tagine & Apricot-Almond Couscous!
The film begins at dusk, seating begins at 7pm, so you can enjoy the pre-show concert by The Atomic Lounge Show.
For a more in depth look at the San Francisco International Wine Competition, I have posted some photos on my Pinterest page to share: Partake in the antics of The Wine Judge!
SFIWC: A fabulous flight of Pinot Blanc.
And for the perfect Sawyer Somm Pairing, accompany that with my post of the SFIWC Press Release.
If you aren’t feeling the pull, like I am, to the Sierra Nevadas this weekend (see The Big Crush), then perhaps you can enjoy some local sips to support worthy North Bay causes?
Attend the event and participate in the silent auction while enjoying delectable wines from the most sought after wineries and sensational bites from featured chefs including Dustin Valette, Duskie Estes, Guy Fieri, Nicolai Lipscomb to name a few. Tickets are $100 pre-sale or $125 at the Sonoma Jet Center doors in Santa Rosa.
