Category Archives: Judging

SIFF Wine Competion – Enter NOW!

CALLING ALL WINERIES!!! We are excited to announce the SIFF Wine Competition is coming up quickly! We would like to invite you to submit your wines for only $25! Just select from the 14 categories listed below, which you would like to enter. Then provide 2 bottles of wine for each category you are entering and include a spec sheet with the level of residual sugar information.

  • Best Sparkling Wine
  • Best Chardonnay
  • Best Aromatic White Wine
  • Best Sauvignon Blanc
  • Best Other White Varietals & Blends
  • Best Pink Wine (still)
  • Best Pinot Noir
  • Best Merlot
  • Best Red Wine Blend
  • Best Zinfandel
  • Best Rhone Varieties
  • Best Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Best Dessert Wine
  • Best Port Wine

Sign up to participate HERE! Then deliver the wine to the SIFF office, at 103 E Napa Street, Ste. B, Sonoma, CA (above Maya Restaurant) before February 26, 2024: Judging will be organized and executed by sommelier Christopher Sawyer, and a panel of wine experts, on February 29, 2024.

Please let me or Chay (chay@sonomafilmfest.org) know if you have any questions!

AFWC’s “One Thousand Bottles” -January 14th!

Join me and the judging team of American Fine Wine Competition in Miami at the 17th Annual AFWC “ONE THOUSAND BOTTLES” event – to taste over 700 exceptional wines from small, boutique, family-run wineries across the US, including California, Ohio, Washington, New York, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, and Oregon, while enjoying incredible food from local restaurants!

  • Meet award-winning winemakers pouring their wines
  • Win fabulous wine baskets at the raffle
  • Bid on exclusive private wine tasting experiences
  • Get 1000 Bottles TICKETS while they last!


Sunday, January 14th, from 6:30-9:00 PM FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management,
3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181

All proceeds benefit the Joel Feigenheimer Endowment Fund, supporting scholarships in the hospitality industry and End Childhood Hunger.

Special thanks to our incredible partners: Smart Source Marketing, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU, Two Men & a Truck, Advanced Roofing, VENU Magazine, City & Shore Magazine, South Florida Business Journal, FPL, Coravin, RC Music Group, Chef & Sommelier, Rod Coleman, Esq. & Associates, Preiser Key, Cheney Brothers, Restaurant Placement Group, A Flair For Fudge, The CrepeMaker, Island Fusion, Fogo de Chao Miami Beach, Royal India, and Cristina’s Family Bakery.

6th Annual SIFF Wine Awards

It is official as of today, Sunday March 26th, where the announcement was made at the SIFF Awards Brunch! Here are the best of the best, selected by our premiere judging panel. Try some for yourself to find out why.

BEST SPARKLING WINE

Breathless NV Blanc de Blancs, Sonoma County 98 Points

BEST AROMATIC WHITE WINE

En Garde 2021 Allez Blanc, California 94 Points

BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC

Gehricke 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Mountain 91 Points

BEST CHARDONNAY

Dutton Estate 2021 Chardonnay, Kyndall’s Reserve, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley 96 Points

BEST PINK WINE

Benziger 2022 Rosé, Sonoma County 97 Points

BEST PINOT NOIR

DeLoach 2019 Pinot Noir, Green Valley of RRV 97 Points

BEST RHONE WINE (Tie)

Idell Family 2018 MB-5V Red Wine, Oscar Vineyard, Sonoma Valley 98 Points

BEST RHONE WINE (Tie)

Larson Family 2019 Syrah Sonoma Coast 98 Points

BEST RED BLEND

Bartholomew Estate 2019 Press Release Red Wine, Sonoma Valley 95 Points

BEST ZINFANDEL

Buena Vista 20120 Zinfandel, Private Reserve Sonoma County 95 Points

BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Sebastiani 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cherryblock, Sonoma Valley 98 Points

BEST DESSERT WINE

Larson Family 2018 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Dolce, Carneros 98 Points

Happy Holidays from Sawyer Somm!

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

Submission Time! 5th Annual SIFF Wine Awards

This professional wine competition became part of Sonoma International Film Festival in 2018: It is organized and executed by sommelier Christopher Sawyer and a panel of wine writers, star sommeliers and retailers, taking place on March 16th, 2022. Deadline for wine submissions is March 11th. CATEGORIES & DETAILS BELOW!

  • Best Sparkling Wine
  • Best Chardonnay
  • Best Aromatic White Wine
  • Sauvignon Blanc
  • Other White Varietals & Blends
  • Best Pink Wine (still)
  • Best Pinot Noir
  • Best Merlot
  • Best Red Wine Blend
  • Best Zinfandel
  • Best Rhone Varieties
  • Best Bordeaux Varieties
  • Best Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Best Dessert Wine
  • Best Port Wine

Select the categories you want to enter from the list above. Please provide 2 bottles of wine for each category you are entering, including a spec sheet with the level of residual sugar information.

Deliver your wine to the SIFF office @ 103 E Napa Street, Ste. B, Sonoma, CA (above Maya Restaurant) before March 11th, 2022.
Contact Chay or Danyelle, 707-200-8215 , if you have any questions.

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Summing Up the North Coast Wine Challenge For 2020

It finally happened, after an initial postponement in April, so now rounding back to the big (socially distanced) competition in July, you can read some results about The Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge (NCWC) in my follow up article published by Spirited Magazine in September, and then scroll down for a full list of winners!

WINNING WINES: RESULTS FROM THE NORTH COAST WINE CHALLENGE 2020

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Photo by Kent Porter for The Press Democrat.

The Wine Competition Virtual Discussion – Watch it HERE!

Lucky for you our virtual meetup was recorded and can be shared after the fact! In preparation for the Central Coast Wine Competition on October 12-14, listen in this illuminating discussion with Tim McDonald, Jeff Kralik, Sarah Tracey and myself, via the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance!

Cool ass AVA map of Paso Robles!

Sad News: In Memory of Jim Caudill

May I hold your leather tassels? When I learned that my dear friend Jim Caudill (a.k.a. “Big Jim”) had passed this weekend, I was crushed.

In honor of Jim, this FUNDRAISER is in his memory: The money raised will ensure his wife Char Banach and the beautiful Sonoma County property they call home, Windborne Farm, and the horses and animals there are well looked after for many years to come.

Jim was the definition of a PR guru, a great friend, a fantastic wine judge, a horse whisperer, and a great husband to his wonderful wife Char.  When we talked a few weeks ago, he told me he had cancer and was going to start treatment. Therefore, I was very optimistic. But alas he never made it that far. His passing is a sad loss to the California wine community and Sonoma County as a whole. I miss this man already and hope he’s drinking the finest beverages, riding wild horses, and feeling much healthier in his new environment. Here on earth, I will lead many toasts to conjure his spirit and remind him we are always thinking about the impact he made on so many lives. #RIPJimCaudill

AMAZING EVENING AT THE LEDSON CASTLE

Please welcome guest writer Steve Ledson in this wonderful recounting of the Judges Dinner for East Meets West Wine Challenge, which was graciously and deliciously hosted at the Ledson Castle.

Hosting Chris Sawyer and 35 amazing wine judges and wine writers from all over the United States.

As I approached the Castle from the south, the sun was just setting against Hood Mountain creating this amazing back drop for the Castle. The driveway lanterns were lit and the Castle just glowed with all its lights setting it off against the twilight of this majestic backdrop. What an amazing site.

Walking up the steps and into the entrance I could hear the chatter of everyone’s excitement of what this evening had to share for all of us. To my right was our Dining Room that Stacey and her staff including her incredible husband Sean had set up with black table cloths and napkins and a beautiful flower arrangement of red, white and blue in the center of each table. Every glass and piece of china was in perfect order. I stood and just stared for a moment. It was so rich and inviting. Probably one of the best dining room settings I’ve seen over the last 20 years.

Stacey shuttled me along into Winslow’s Bar where everyone was mingling, Jerry and Brendon were pouring behind the bar with their amazing smiles and incredible hospitality. It was easy to see how everyone was soaking up the attention and kindness of these two handsome gentlemen. I was extremely proud of them as I watched everyone’s enthusiasm as the night unfolded. Scott Eddinger and his lovely wife Audrey were seamlessly moving through our guests passing hors d’oeuvres while mingling and chatting as the guests arrived. Both perfectly dressed for the occasion. Chef Kendyl Bilenkij stole the night starting with her amazing pairing of pickled Shrimp in a Meyer Lemon sauce and Chicken Pate paired so perfectly with our Russian River Pinot Noir Reserve and our Mountain Terraces Viognier. It was quite impressive to watch these two as they offered up Chef Kendyl’s amazing appetizers’ with a very warm and nourishing smile making guests feel so welcome.

With a tap of the glass Chris Sawyer froze the crowd as he introduced me in a way that made me feel like a King. This man has a way of making every person feel important. Chris shared stories of some of the great times he and I have shared over the last 30 years bringing back very special moments during my life here in Sonoma County. There is nothing better than reminiscing great moments of your life.

As I spoke to our Guests it was important to me to recognize all of you here at Ledson. I explained we are just one big family and each and every one of us plays a very important role in the success and most importantly the image we have in the wine world today.

I was very proud to speak and represent all of us in front of some of the greatest wine judges and wine writers in the United States today. Thank all of you for your continued efforts and hard work that has lifted us to an image anyone should be very proud of.

Stacey announced that dinner was served so we slowing flowed into the Dining Room. Stacey and Sean along with Scott and Audrey, as well as Brendon seamlessly served us an incredible meal. The first course, a citrus salad paired with our Zina Hyde Russian River Sauvignon Blanc. The phenomenal entrees of Salmon and Filet Mignon were shared with our Mes Trois Amours, Bellisimo and the Sonoma Valley Estate Reserve Merlot. To finish the evening, Chef Kendyl prepared decadent chocolate cake served with fresh raspberries which we paired with our award winning Stagecoach Reserve and the Mountain Terraces Lex’s Cabernet Sauvignon.

With each course and each pairing, Chris and I introduced the wines as our Guests anxiously listened and graciously commended the entire setting and event. Hours passed by like swift moments in time. Each and every attendee was provided with the most impeccable wines, food and service. At the close of the evening every single person there made a point to come to me personally and thank me.

It just shows what can happen when you have a team of passionate people working together.

To sum it all up for the evening in short.  Incredible food, incredible service in and incredible atmosphere with and Amazing group of very talent People.

 I’m very proud to be a part of this amazing event, not only should all of you me proud for the incredible job you all did last night, each and every one of you who works here at Ledson should be proud of the image that was present last night to some very talent wine writers and wine judges traveling here from all over the United states.

A very special thanks to my Dear Friend Chris Sawyer for making this all happen.