Category Archives: Holidays

Event, Food, Holidays, Sommelier, Sonoma County Vintners, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Pour + Explore Sparkling Tasting at Gloria Ferrer on December 11

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Pour + Explore is an exciting new tasting experience produced by Sonoma County Vintners in collaboration with Sommelier Christopher Sawyer!

Join us for this exclusive wine tasting event to ring in the holidays at Gloria Ferrer featuring sparkling wines from 25 wineries across Sonoma County. Discover wonderful wines that epitomize the essence of each winemaker’s individual style and the region’s distinctive vineyards.

This festive evening includes a walk-around tasting of a curated selection of wines from each vintner, along with light appetizers. All attendees must be at least 21 years of age.

TICKETS are $65.00 per person, plus tax and service fee. We hope to see you there – Cheers! Chris

Featured POUR + EXPLORE Wineries

Bacigalupi Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Banshee Wines, Benovia Winery, Breathless Sparkling Wines, Bricoleur Vineyards, Cartograph Wines, DaVero Farms & Winery, Deerfield Ranch Winery, Domaine Carneros, Freeman Winery, Gloria Ferrer, Inman Family Wines, Iron Horse Vineyards, J Vineyards & Winery, JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset, Keller Estate, Kokomo Winery, Korbel Champagne Cellars, Longboard Vineyards, Naidu Wines, Patz & Hall, Pellegrini-Olivet Lane, Schug Winery, Sosie Wines

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

Holiday Wishes From Elk Cove Vineyards On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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HO HO Hope Santa Somm filled your stockings with good wines! THE VARIETAL SHOW discusses the wine wonders of Oregon’s Willamette Valley with Adam Campbell of Elk Cove Vineyards, including the French connection, clones, estate vineyards & IPNC. Join us to taste the 2022 Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley; 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley; and 2021 Pinot Noir, Five Mountains, Laurelwood District.

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, Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Vlog, Wine

Padigan Winery Hosts THE VARIETAL SHOW

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On a holiday road trip, THE VARIETAL SHOW rolled into the drive at Padigan Wines! Sitting down with former sommelier, and current winemaker, Kiley Evans, in the Rogue Valley. We discuss the unique qualities of Southern Oregon, including soil, climate, elevation and a wine growing history going back to 1852.

Taste along with some classics: 2020 Estate Reserve Viognier, 2021 Syrah & 2020 Estate Reserve Tempranillo.

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

Event, Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Sparkling Wine Spectacular on Nov 15th @Gravenstein Grill!

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Join Gravenstein Grill for the final wine festival of the year: the Sparkling Wine Spectacular! As we jump into the holiday seasons, we will be showcasing the best wines to celebrate with – and of course that means bubbles!

Come taste 15+ sparkling wines from producers including Domaine Carneros, Gloria Ferrer, Ironhorse, Flaunt, Breathless, De La Montoya, Scharffenberger, Olivet Lane, Emeritus Vineyards & MORE!

As the weather is changing, we’ll be moving the event indoors (with some outdoor space weather permitting.) There will be hors d’oeuvres by Chefs Simontacchi & Colunga, and jazz guitar by Jay Messer. Don’t miss this end of the year extravaganza as we round the corner into winter!

Tickets are $45 pre-order, $55 at the door.

Film, Food, Holidays, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

A Week Of Sweets & Treats For #VALENTINESDAY

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For Valentines Week, I am going to assail you with some special tidbits in this single blast of love! Start by reading this seductive article by Dr. Liz Thach, for a lovely selection of cocktails: Mine is the Blood Orange Rose 75, so start mixing!

Follow that up with the classic romantic film, An Affair To Remember: A fine sparkling wine that can live up to this level of romance is Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé. This charming bubbly exudes fruity, tangy flavor, has a beautiful color and a long enchanting finish. To further enliven the senses, serve this sparkling gem with aphrodisiac delights such as oysters on the half shell, fresh berries, or toasted nuts.

Lastly, let’s revisit my wine & chocolate pairing on THE VARIETAL SHOW from last year. It’s never too late to get specialty treats for your loved ones! Especially if it is Acumen Wine & Phillip Ashley Chocolates.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST!

Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Holidaytime At Domaine Carneros On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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FLASHBACK to holidays 2021! THE VARIETAL SHOW just had to visit with a favorite of mine in the sparkling wine realm, Remi Cohen of Domaine Carneros. We discuss our love of the Carneros region, why it is a perfect place to make bubbles and still wines, culinary pairings and the great teamwork involved! Taste along with us the Cuvee de la Pompadour, Le Reve, and Le Ciel Serein Pinot Noir.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

Competition, Event, Food, Holidays, Judging, Sommelier, Travels, Wine

Happy Holidays from Sawyer Somm!

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Just a quick note to say I appreciate you following my exciting adventures this year! Stick around for more in 2023 and enjoy this little collection of photos from a year of memories.

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A perfect vintage 2022

From my visit to Chef Laura Pauli, winter lights in Oregon, chocolate & wine at Acumen, and the release of A Perfect Vintage. . .

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. . . to Be Bubbly in Napa, the stellar crew of Celebrity Solstice, Sonoma Burger delights and the always incredible eats at Gravenstein Grill! So much to share, join me for more in 2023. CHEERS! Christopher

Food, Holidays, People, Sommelier, Wine

What is SPôRK?

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So glad you asked! SPôRK is the mastermind of Chef Pat Langst which encompasses many things: Specializing in Gluten-Free treats and leading cooking classes for kids and adults. Some excellent stocking stuffers to be sure!

He is also my partner with Fire & Vine, an opportunity for you to experience a personal epicurian delight! We prepare the food and host a wine pairing in your home, inquire for details.

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

Stoller & THE VARIETAL SHOW Wishing You HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

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With a nod to Thanksgiving week, THE VARIETAL SHOW returns to Stoller Family Estate, that was originally home to a turkey farm! Here I met with Karl Weichold, Production Winemaker, in the vineyard to discuss weather patterns in Willamette Valley, winemaking techniques and his status as Vigneron. Taste along with us the 2021 Chardonnay, Rose and Pinot Noir Dundee Hills.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

Food, Holidays, Wine

Enjoy Thanksgiving At Gravenstein Grill!

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Chef Simontacchi’s yearly Thanksgiving Feast is not to be missed!

Gravenstein Grill is once again serving up an annual Willie Bird Turkey Two Ways – juicy roasted breast & confit leg, along with traditional sides like local butternut squash soup, herb focaccia stuffing, caramelized brussels sprouts & more! They will also be serving a delicious vegan harvest stew for those who want to skip the meat

To see the menu, click here! This Thanksgiving Lunch & Dinner always sells out fast, so don’t wait until the last minute to book a table!

RESERVE your Thanksgiving Feast: $84 per adult and $32 per child.