Congratulations to the winners of the Harvest Challenge 2016! Below are quick links to view the outcomes:
Cheers! Christopher
Results! Harvest Challenge 2016
Category Archives: news
The Sawyer Somm Show: Exploring Autumn with Wine
In the latest episode of The Sawyer Somm Show, join me as I discuss some recent events, wines for fall and some intriguing wine news; Making wine with biodynamically farmed grapes (and marijuana)
Constellation Brands Eyes $1 Billion Sale of Canadian Wine Business.
Featured wines include Frivolo Moscato Blanco CA – Noceto 2014, Borne 2014 Pinot Noir Anderson Valley, mile marker 33.89, 50 Year Anniversary Robert Mondavi, Maestro 2013 and many more!
Virginia Dare wine brand rekindled by Coppola
We’ve all seen the billboard driving north on Hwy 101, right? Well Virginia Dare has returned thanks to the direction of Francis Ford Coppola Winery. You can read my brief article about it in Napa Sonoma Magazine, published February of this year.
Virginia Dare Winery
22281 Chianti Road, Geyserville
(707) 735-3500
virginiadarewinery.com
Sawyer Somm Newsletter Wins Accolades!
First of all, thanks all of you for reading! We have worked hard to make this a universally legible format, that accommodates multiple email programs. Hopefully you like what you are seeing.
As it turns out our template designers at Mail Poet are in agreement and recently chose The Sommelier Files to be featured on their Showcase page! Check out the creativity of all the winners and read more details at the Mail Poet Blog.
Cheers! Christopher
Jean Arnold Sessions new Exec Director of SVVGA
A hearty congratulations to my friend Jean and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Association for making their relationship formal!
“It has been a long-held dream of mine to be a leading voice for our wine community. The vintners of Sonoma County have many stories to tell. These stories bring to life the challenges of working with such diversity of land, dedication to sustainable grape growing for the highest quality of winemaking, while working together to care and support our agriculture and our community. This is an exciting time to be part of the Sonoma County Vintners.” — Jean Arnold Sessions.
You can read details about their joint venture HERE!
The Return of Lake County!
After the devastating Valley Fire last autumn local organizations and citizens have been collaborating in a multitude of ways to help support the recovery and redevelopment of Lake County. It seems the efforts are making a difference, particularly in regards to their wine industry, with events in addition to ample tourism.
Read this recent Press Democrat article by Bill Swindell to find out more and perhaps think about ways we can continue supporting our neighborto the North:
Lake County Wine Industry is Ready for Takeoff!
Final Resolution in French Laundry Wine Heist
As reported in the April 30 issue of Press Democrat, federal prosecutors indicted two California men in the heist and two other Bay Area wine thefts.
This infamous 2014 burglary involved about 100 bottles of wine valued at roughly $300,000. Read the full story by Julie Johnson:
Suspects Indicted in French Laundry Wine Theft-Spree
2016 North Coast Wine Challenge Results!
Spectacular finish to the North Coast Wine Challenge with some of the finest wine judges in America. Our team sent the top red & white wine winners to the final round and the 2012, 2013 & 2014 vintages were brilliant.
The big winners have been published in the Press Democrat in this article by Diane Peterson:
Find the entire winners’ list is HERE!
Cheers! Christopher
The Wine-pocalypse: Fact or Fiction?
By now the California Drought is common knowledge. Residents are working to conserve, but hoping for at least a nudge of relief from the current El Nino, results of which are eagerly being awaited. In this interesting Forbes article, my friend Greg Hittelman examines the grapes to see just how wineries are being affected and what the outcome will be on the 2015 vintage.
Dry State: Will California’s Drought Trigger a Wine-pocalypse?
Wine Radio! Tune in to Talk910 for Somm Talk today. . .March 19th
Joel Riddell talks Flavor! Napa Valley starting today at 1:15, you can listen via the Dining Around link or on the airwaves at Talk910. Listen for his interviews with winemakers, chefs and, at 2pm, myself and Master Sommelier Gillian Balance! Gillian is on the panel for High Elevation Wines Part 1 and The Rhone Zone wine classes: Listen, learn and join one of our classes!
Cheers! Christopher