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.
From my visit to Chef Laura Pauli, winter lights in Oregon, chocolate & wine at Acumen, and the release of A Perfect Vintage. . .
. . . 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
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 withFire & 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.
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!
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.
Now is the time to plan your family gathering or company event and add a Sommelier to bring a little extra sparkle. Please inquire with Sawyer Somm to find out how he can enliven your holiday celebration, or how his other Wine Consulting Skills might serve your needs! Email wine(at)sawyersomm.com for more information (& be a little patient while he hosts a pre-holiday Celebrity wine education cruise to Mexico, returning October 9.) CHEERS!
Kicking off the 2022 season with a double header, just in time for Valentines Day: The Varietal Show is joined by Diana Schweiger of Acumen Wines and chocolatier Phillip Ashley. So sit down for a delicious pairing with us, wine and Phillip Ashley Chocolates!
LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!
Enjoy a romantic three course dinner, all weekend long! To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, Chef Simontacchi & Chef Garcia worked together to create a fantastic meal full of locally sourced meat, fish, & produce.
Gravenstein Grill menu items include locally sourced NY Strip Steak, Foraged Mushrooms, & Pacific Halibut: To see the menu, click here!
Make Reservations for dinner 4:30pm-9pm Friday, Saturday & Sunday (February 11-13) in either the spacious dining room or the open air patio. The cost of the dinner is $80/person.
Happy New Year! Here is a list of sparkling wines to consider as your celebrations continue throughout 2022, derived from my radio chat with Kim McCallister on KGO 810 AM a few weeks back. CHEERS! Christopher
KGO Exclusive: SawyerSomm’s Sophisticated Sparkling Wine
Picks for the New Year, Valentine’s Day & beyond!
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BRUTS
The classic style of sparkling wines crafted with Chardonnay,
Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes, using the traditional methode
champenoise techniques in the cellar.
Veuve Clicquot 2008 La Grande Dame Brut, Champagne – $190
Pairings Tips: Raw oysters; chips with creamy dips; brie and young
cheeses; gourmet soups and salads; fresh seafood, sushi; spicy pasta
dishes; chicken, pork, and stews.
Delicious way to create smiles and open up the palates at great gatherings.
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BLANC DE BLANCS
In
French, the fanciful term blanc de blancs literally means ‘white of
whites’. In France’s famous region of Champagne and top winegrowing regions in
Northern California, it refers to sophisticated sparkling wines that are made
exclusively with high-quality Chardonnay grapes.
SawyerSomm
Picks (local & imports):
Idle Hour NV Blanc de Blancs, Clements Hills – $38
Michel Turgy NV Les Mesnil Reserve Brut Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France – $60
Ruinart NV Blanc de Blancs, Champagne, France – $90
Pairings Tips: Oyster with shallot-bases mignonette; rich, earthy
cheeses; appetizers with tangy aioli; creamy soups or seasonal bisques; fresh
Dungeness crab; pasta dishes with wild mushrooms; grilled fish; roasted
chicken; pork stew; grilled meats.
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BRUT ROSES
As the flavorful counterpoint to blanc de blancs. The French term blanc de noirs means ‘white of blacks’, referring to elegant sparkling wines with translucent white or slightly pink hues made exclusively with the black-skinned grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. These special grape varieties are also used to craft styles of Brut Roses.
SawyerSomm
Picks (local & imports):
Paula Kornell 2018 Blanc de Noirs, Napa Valley – $50
Domaine Carneros 2018 Brut Rose, Cuvee de la Pompadour, Carneros – $45
Chef Simontacchi is preparing an elegant dinner for Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve!
You won’t want to miss what he is cooking up this month at Gravenstein Grill, with the best local meats, foraged mushrooms, & seasonal vegetables and turning them into a holiday feast.
Reservations are required and seating is limited, make ONLINE or call 707-634-6142. Check the Xmas menu below or NYE menu here.Dinner is $150/person + tax & gratuity.
Ready to move beyond the challenges of a pandemic year? Well, it is not quite over yet, so hopefully this video, featuring Suzy Fridell of Glen Lyon Winery, will give you one last push to make it through!
