Category Archives: Music

Ahoy Alaska! Special Episodes Of THE VARIETAL SHOW.

Off we go, on another epic cruise to ALASKA on the Celebrity Solstice: Sharing wine with my special guests and enjoying the panhandle of this spectacular state! THANK YOU to all the wineries sending along splendid tastes for the journey; J. Lohr, Dry Creek Vineyards, Muscardini, Cuvaison, Bee Hunter, Cochon, Rodney Strong, Davis Family, Chehalem, Balletto, Davis Bynum & Fifth Hill.

To celebrate, here are a few episodes of THE VARIETAL SHOW, including Stoller, which I will be pouring onboard, and a musical guest from a previous voyage. See more cruise episodes on the YouTube channel!

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The Swingin’ Crew Jazzes It Up On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

On my final Celebrity Cruises voyage this year along the Mexican Riviera, I was pleased to see my favorite jazz quartet The Swingin’ Crew! These talented young musicians are from Buenos Aires, Argentina: Sophia, Ailen, Tomas & Theo are on a six-month Solstice ship tour that ends in January. THE VARIETAL SHOW shared some delicious Bacigalupi Petite Sirah and Kokomo Grenache, discussing some interesting comparisons to their wines back home.

Scroll below to enjoy their fabulous music, or hop onboard the Celebrity Solstice, and be sure to pair it with some spectacular wines! LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm.

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All aboard the amazing Celebrity Solstice, with views of Cabo San Lucas! Drinking fine wines with Theo, Sophia, Ailen & Tomas.

Join THE VARIETAL SHOW For Some Special Cruise Memories!

Taking a little break this week for my Costco wine cruise to Mexico, on the Celebrity Solstice: I will surely have lots of tales to tell after the fact, but for now enjoying sun and sea with the family!

Until then please enjoy these episodes of THE VARIETAL SHOW featuring new friends, musician Daniel East & Dr. Dave, from my earlier 2022 cruises & come back next week for a new episode, CHEERS!

Symphony of Flavor: A Wine + Music Experience

Experience this virtual wine + music event featuring a live performance by Toronto Symphony Orchestra musicians Sonority Sisters, as well as a guided tasting of three wines from Napa Valley’s Ghost Block Estate Wines on Wednesday June 16, 5-6:30pm PDT. An experience brought to you by Melier.

The Sonority Sisters was founded by musicians Clare Semes and Kelly Zimba, a violin and flute duo that shares music in creative, safe, and socially distanced ways.

Participants will dig into pairing wines with music, engage with the musicians, and socialize with other wine lovers. ORDER YOUR TICKETS (to request wine delivery at least 6 days in advance).

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Daedalus Howell Narrowly Escapes The Paparazzi on The Varietal Show!

It is a troubled life being a pursued man but filmmaker, musician and writer Daedalus Howell made some wine time for me, hidden away in the Sawyer Somm Cellar. On this episode of The Varietal Show we celebrate International Riesling Day, which took place on March 13, with a delicious taste from Storm Cellar in Colorado. The conversation of course meanders in many directions on this first of a three part discussion.

Be sure to FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting episodes, Tuesdays at 12:30pm, and remember to LIKE & SHARE as well!

Leave it to Glen Lyon: A Creative Reminder

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!

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Music & Wine: Virtual Benefit Concert Sept 9th!

Local winery Three Sticks in partnership with Arrington Vineyards of Tennessee to bring you this Virtual Benefit Concert Experience: For Musicians by Musicians on Sept 9th, 5:30 PST. Hosted by Bill Price, Laurence Hobgood, and Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn, this free concert will be an evening of dancing, philanthropy, and of course wine that is not to be missed! REGISTER HERE!

EXTRA BONUS: The Arrington Vineyard KB 11*17 bottles, especially autographed for this event, are on sale now as well as Three Stick’s concert pack. Proceeds benefit Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Fund to help musicians in need.

Extra-Extra Bonus? Watch CellarPass TV with Arrington Vineyards which aired in April, featuring Sawyer Somm. Stay tuned for more episodes coming this fall, ENJOY!

Rodney Strong Summer Concerts start July 8th!

Chris Botti will perform on August 27th!
Chris Botti will perform on August 27th!

Have you been to one of these shows? The last few years my family and I have attended, first to see Chris Isaak, followed by B-52’s last year. It was super fun, plus you have the opportunity to catch Isaak again this year! Rodney Strong is a great outdoor setting with delicious wines to accompany your pleasure.  Here are the details!

July 8th – Chris Isaak
July 23rd – Kenny Loggins
August 27th – Chris Botti
September 9th – Kool & The Gang

Get tickets while you can!
Cheers, Christopher

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

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!