Category Archives: History

Farm, History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Featuring Beauregard Vineyards On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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THE VARIETAL SHOW climbs the Santa Cruz Mountains to visit Beauregard Vineyards. We learn that wine has been here for a long time from Winemaker Ryan Beauregard, representing the farm’s fourth generation, which dates back to 1945 AND is one of the oldest continuously farmed vineyards in California!

Together we taste these amazing wines: 2022 Chardonnay Bald Mountain Vineyard; 2023 Pinot Noir ‘Carbonica’ Coast Grade Vineyard; 2021 Pinot Noir Coast Grade Vineyard & 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beauregard Ranch.

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History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Visits Yorba Wines

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It was a lovely afternoon in the foothills with Ann Kraemer and her dog at Yorba Wines! THE VARIETAL SHOW visited with her in Amador County, where we discussed the long history of vineyards at high elevations, going back to gold rush times, and amazing wine community. With nods to winemaker Ken Bernards of Ancien Wines.

Together we taste through her Yorba Barbera 2016, Tempranillo 2013 & Syrah 2014.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Spectacular Starfield Vineyards On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Heading east over route 50 is a scenic wilderness wonderland! This is where THE VARIETAL SHOW settles in at Starfield Vineyards & Winery with Rob Sinton, to enjoy a dazzling sampling of his high elevation wines. Placerville is in the El Dorado AVA, established in 1983, home to many wineries and a bucketload of California history! Taste along with us: 2021 Blanc de Blancs, 2020 The Miner’s Inch, 2020 The Big Canyon & 2020 Barbera Reserve.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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History, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

In The Cave With Parable Wines On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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The story begins in 2020, which lead to a career change for Parable Wines partner Trey Eppright. Together with winemaker Kale Anderson, Parable came to be in Calistoga, CA. Join THE VARIETAL SHOW to learn more about this boutique family project, for a tasting in the cave:

  • 2022 Chardonnay, A18, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
  • 2022 Chardonnay, Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley
  • 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vangone Vineyard, Napa Valley
  • 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard, St. Helena

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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Event, History, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Robert Biale Vineyards Features Fine Zin On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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The perfect #Zinning combination, THE VARIETAL SHOW talks to winemaker David Natali, of Robert Biale Vineyards: Focus in on Zinfandel, the official state grape of California, and its origins in Napa Valley. From this traditional farming region, we discuss old vines averaging 50 years old and celebrate the revered vineyards. Taste the history with us: 2022 Black Chicken, Napa Valley; 2022 Dickerson Vineyard, St Helena, Napa Valley; 2022 Morisoli Vineyard, Rutherford, Napa Valley

Join us for more #Zinning moments at ZAP in SF Jan 25-27!


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History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Stops By Stoller Family Estate

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The epic Oregon road trip continues for THE VARIETAL SHOW, with a visit to Stoller Family Estate: Introducing my good friends, Winemaker Melissa Burr and Vineyard Manager, Jason Tosch. We discuss the amazing Willamette Valley, which just finished celebrating 40 years as an AVA. Digging deep into soil and clones, we taste three amazing samples of their work: 2021 Stoller Reserve Chardonnay, 2019 Legacy Nancy’s Pinot Noir & 2020 History Colombia Valley Red Blend.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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Appellation, Event, Farm, Food, Garden, History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Get Your PASSPORT To Dry Creek Valley! April 29-30

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Join 35 wineries for the 32nd Passport to Dry Creek Valley April 29 & 30, 2023. Enjoy amazing wine, delicious food, vibrant entertainment and a fun-filled spring weekend within the backdrop of idyllic Dry Creek Valley.

TICKETS with the special Sawyer Somm pricing are available at this link! How does it work?

  • Choose your starting winery and go at your own pace with no reservations necessary
  • Fabulous wine & food pairings
  • Access to countless wines that you can’t find on the shelf
  • Interactions with the winemakers and growers
  • Coveted spots in wine clubs
  • Entertainment all weekend
  • Skip the line with check-in option Friday in Healdsburg (info at checkout)
  • OPTION to purchase Friday evening (April 28) Winemakers welcome dinner at The Madrona
  • Hope to be seeing you in DCV! ~Chris
History, Sommelier, Sports, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Horsing Around With Tamber Bey On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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It is not often that wine pairs with horses, but at Tamber Bey it does! THE VARIETAL SHOW visits Barry Waitte at his winery, and we reminisce about the history of farming and orchards in Calistoga, the northernmost region of Napa Valley. We talk about his love of horses, while tasting his Chardonnay Sans Chêne, Pinot Noir Mes Filles Vineyard, and Cabernet Sauvignon Deux Chevaux Vineyard.

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Art, History, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Is Back-With Mike Dunne!

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THE VARIETAL SHOW is back! Kicking off the first episode of 2023 with writer and wine judge Mike Dunne, sharing his new book “The Signature Wines of Superior California“. We get into some stories about Gold Rush county wines, including Amador, El Dorado, & Calaveras: Then taste with us the delightful 2020 markus nimmo, from Markus Wine Co. in Lodi.

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Charity, Event, History, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Wine

Legends: Next Gen @Sonoma County Wine Library – Nov 10th!

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Meet The Future of Sonoma County Wine – Legends: Next Gen

After a three-year pause, the Sonoma County Wine Library is bringing back its Sonoma County Wine Legends event on Thursday, November 10th, 6:30 pm at the Steele Lane Community Center (415 Steele Ln) in Santa Rosa. (Photo credit Christopher Cheung/PD)

Moderated by Sommelier Christopher Sawyer, Legends: Next Gen will feature a panel discussion of these legends in the making, five next-generation professionals of the local wine community:

This fundraiser for the Sonoma County Wine Library includes wine pouring with charcuterie platter, and silent auction featuring special wines, gifts, and wine-country experiences. Early bird TICKETS are $45 for members and $60 for non-members, and $55 and $70 respectively after October 31st.

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