Category Archives: Music

Music, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Irish Day Parade on March 18th in Murphys, CA!

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We certainly wish we could take Twisted Oak Winery up on their invitation to the Irish Day Parade happening Saturday March 18th! My family and I stumbled upon it a few years back and were pleasantly surprised by a little parade with lots of venders, including many wineries to tempt the palate.  Totally worth the trek from where ever.

On the way there, up Ebbetts Pass (aka Hwy 4), you will breeze through the quaint town of Vallecito.  That is where you can turn off to visit the friendly folks at Twisted Oak Winery and find out more about their upcoming Twisted Folk Concert Series. The dates are set for  May 13th, June 24th, August 12th.

Let them know Chris sent you!

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Art, Food, Music, Wine

Art+MUSIC+Wine at SVMA: Saturday November 5th

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The second installment of Pairings for the Senses Art+MUSIC+Wine at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art is coming up on Saturday November 5th!

Little Vineyards will be poured and accompanied by the music of Sonoma vintner and rocker Rich Little.  Join me there, get your tickets!

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Also, don’t forget to mark your calendars and stay tuned for details about the last installment, Art+FOOD+Wine on December 3.

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Art, Food, Literature, Music, Wine

Pairings for the Senses: Sunday Oct 16th

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Join me for three spectacular Pairings for the Senses events this autumn at the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art:  All involving wine pairings!

son-mus-artThe first will be this Sunday October 16th,
Art+POETRY+Wine, where poets Indigo Moor, Dean Rader, Brynn Saito, and Tess Taylor will each read a selection of their poetry inspired by art in the Pairings exhibition.  Sonoma County wines, selected by myself, complement each poem/art pair.

Mark your calendars and stay tuned for details about
Art+MUSIC+Wine on November 5,  and Art+FOOD+Wine on December 3.
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Music, Travels, Wine

Guest DJ Sawyer Somm at Vinyl Sunday, Sept 18th!

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The rumblings are true.  I will be revisiting my college days by spinning vinyl at Winery Sixteen 600 (589 1st St West in Sonoma) for Vinyl Sunday.  Together we will be celebrating Grenachista in honor of International Grenache Day this Friday.  Get your tickets while they are still available: pre-sale saves you 5 clams.

To review your Grenache knowledge, watch this video produced for that purpose a few years back.  Enjoy & hope to see you there!

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Beer, Festivals, Food, Music

Craft Beer Fest on the river. . . Sept 17th

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petcraftbeerMaybe not the river you are thinking of, but distinctive to Sonoma County nonetheless!  The Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival is coming, next Saturday September 17, from 1-5pm.

The festival will include 20 local breweries and some delicious bites.  Add live music to the mix, including our favorite little western swing band Sugar Moon!  Here is a preview. . .

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Food, Music, Wine

Tapas, Wine & Music at Gloria Ferrer, August 4th

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Is your mouth watering yet?  Don’t miss the last chance this season to attend Tapas on The Terrace at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards on August 4th, 5:30-7:30.

Unwind, relax and join in at the end of your day for award-winning wines, tasty tapas, and live Spanish entertainment from Duarte Music!

Ticket price includes a glass of wine upon arrival,
plate of mixed tapas, and live entertainment.

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Event, Food, Music, People, Wine

Images from Bottle Rock 2016!

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Wine, food and MUSIC!!!! That is what Bottle Rock Napa is all about, so starting the vibe with an epic stage shot of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Now let’s ease into a collection from the entire weekend!

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Inhaling the wonders of ‪DJBoom‬ (aka ‪Stevie Wonder‬) and his respect for the great musicians who passed in 2016. Check out a video of him on Facebook at Christopher Sawyer Sommelier!
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Celebrating "The Catch" (aka a magnificent Salmon dish) prepared by star Chef Michael Mina and guest sous chef, 49ers legend Dwight Clark!
Celebrating “The Catch” (aka a magnificent Salmon dish) prepared by star Chef Michael Mina and guest sous chef, 49ers legend Dwight Clark!

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Enjoy the first sip of what would become an epic performance by Florence and the Machine at the JaM Cellars Stage!
Enjoy the first sip of what would become an epic performance by Florence and the Machine at the JaM Cellars Stage!
Selfie with Superstar Chef Mei Lin.
Selfie with Superstar Chef Mei Lin.
Discussing the beauties of Bottle Rock Napa and great charitable works done by singer Michael Franti & Co!
Discussing the beauties of Bottle Rock Napa and great charitable works done by singer Michael Franti & Co!

 

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FLLLLLLEA! Flea and Red Hot Chili Peppers rock out with the colors out on closing night of Bottle Rock Napa Valley 2016!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See you there next year!

Cheers,
Christopher

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Film, Music, news, People

Ashes to Ashes: David Bowie RIP 1947-2016

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bowieSo sad to hear about the passing of David Bowie just a few days after his birthday at the age of 69. There is no doubt the man was an icon, a legend, and helped change the face of music in the 70s & 80s. He will always be one of the greatest entertainers of our lifetimes and a star that will always shine bright not only as a musician but as an actor as well. For that reason, this week I will have his vinyl playing in the cellar and opening fine bottles of wine with friends in his honor!
#RIP #ZiggyStardust #DiamondDogs #RebelRebel #cancersucks

Read more about the amazing life of David Bowie
in this BBC article.

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Event, Music, People, Travels

A Musical Feast: David J and the Gentleman Thieves

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My love of music runs deep, back to the days, and further, when I was a college DJ and wrote album reviews for the University newspaper. Especially 80’s music. I would say it equals my love of wine, a most beautiful pairing!

For that reason I am very excited to share this news from my friend Darwin Meiners about one of his current projects, David J and The Gentleman Thieves, which of course includes the founding member of Bauhaus and Love & Rockets.

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They are currently cutting their first single and video filming this month in LA with Linda Strawberry directing.  It will be released on a split 7″ with Darwin’s new solo song ‘Horrible Cocoon’ on the b-side to be released on Starry Records.

I recommend catching an extraordinary live show of David J and The Gentleman Thieves. Unfortunately for me I will be leaving for Miami to judge in the American Fine Wine Competition (more on that later!) while the NorCal shows are happening but perhaps you can report back in my stead. I am eager to hear more!

JANUARY 14TH @ THE LOST CHURCH in SF:  David J performs with Chris Vibberts & Darwin.  Darwin will also open with a short, acoustic set.  Advance Tix are recommended:  TICKETS HERE!

JANUARY 15TH @ THE BIG EASY in PETALUMA:  Dominic East (from Our Lady of the Highway) opens,  David J plays second (with Chris and Darwin). Following, Darwin’s band performs, David will then join for a few Love & Rockets tunes!  TICKETS HERE!

JANUARY 22ND @ LUNARIO DEL AUDITORIO NACIONAL in MEXICO CITY:  David J and The Gentleman Thieves perform. TICKETS HERE!

FEBRUARY 19TH @ UCO in OKC:  David and Darwin will be performing at the University in Oklahoma City.  There may be a few surprises in store as they were invited by those Flaming Lip fellows! TICKETS HERE!

Spread the word to your friends near & far!

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Charity, Competition, Event, Food, Music, Tasting, Wine

Mix your wine with charity this weekend!

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bless1If 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.

roof2Attend 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.

On Sunday, October 4th is the 15th Annual Blessing of the Animals at St. Francis Winery. Bring your best furry friend to the Winery to be blessed and spend the afternoon helping raise money for the Sonoma Humane Society.

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.
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