Category Archives: Sommelier

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Going To Goosecross On THE VARIETAL SHOW

Leave a comment

Having a grand ol’ time with Goosecross Proprietor Christi Coors Ficeli & Winemaker Bill Nancarrow at the Yountville winery in Napa Valley! THE VARIETAL SHOW talks about harvest, fowls and the balance of terroir and weather. Taste along with us: 2020 Goosecross State Lane Merlot; 2020 Goosecross State Lane Cabernet Franc; 2019 Goosecross Holly’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

Farm, History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Featuring Beauregard Vineyards On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

THE VARIETAL SHOW climbs the Santa Cruz Mountains to visit Beauregard Vineyards. We learn that wine has been here for a long time from Winemaker Ryan Beauregard, representing the farm’s fourth generation, which dates back to 1945 AND is one of the oldest continuously farmed vineyards in California!

Together we taste these amazing wines: 2022 Chardonnay Bald Mountain Vineyard; 2023 Pinot Noir ‘Carbonica’ Coast Grade Vineyard; 2021 Pinot Noir Coast Grade Vineyard & 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Beauregard Ranch.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Goes Large At Big Basin!

Leave a comment

At the Big Basin Tasting Bar, just off the beach in Santa Cruz to be exact: A terrific place to experience these delectable wines. THE VARIETAL SHOW gets a taste of the mountains there with proprietor Bradley Brown, but don’t forget to take the scenic trek up to Big Basin Vineyards in Boulder Creek as well!

  • 2022 Rodnick.Farm Chenin Blanc
  • 2021 Kimari Vineyard Chardonnay
  • 2021 Old Corral Pinot Noir
  • 2019 Coastview Vineyard Grenache
  • 2019 Rattlesnake Rock Syrah
  • 2019 Sixty-Two Terraces Syrah

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Breathless River Cruise: Save $1K until June 30!

Leave a comment

Get another glimpse at our “Vineyards of the Rhine & Moselle” river cruise–the picturesque landscapes, historic vineyards, and luxurious amenities–with Breathless Founder Sharon Cohn and Sommelier and Internationally Renowned Wine Judge and Educator Christopher Sawyer. Watch the WEBINAR for more details!

Special Rate $1000 Savings – Ends June 30th An unforgettable adventure awaits, are you ready? Embark on a magical odyssey with Breathless from Amsterdam to Luxembourg, July 23-30th, 2025.

Farm, Food, Garden, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Partaking In Pennyroyal Farm On THE VARIETAL SHOW

Leave a comment

You have to admit, they have it all! Nestled along the scenic Hwy 128 drive through Mendocino, rolling into Boonville, is Pennyroyal Farm in Anderson Valley. Proprietor Sarah Cahn Bennett shares the wines & cheeses (of goat and sheep) with THE VARIETAL SHOW for the ultimate pairings. And we learn a little “Boontling”.

The Wines: Pennyroyal Farm 2023 Pinot Trio; 2021 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley ; 2021 Pinot Noir, Monty In; 2020 Pinot Noir, Eye of the Needle Vineyard

The Cheeses: Pennyroyal Farm Laychee, Velvet Sister, Bollie’s Mollies, Boont Corners


LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

In Oakland At Bardo lounge On THE VARIETAL SHOW

Leave a comment

Having cocktails and apps at Bardo Lounge & Supper Club in Oakland, with owner Seth Bregman, Beverage Director Ben Dimond & Chef Amol Thanky! THE VARIETAL SHOW gets a taste of creating cocktails by Ben with a Golden Era, Cosmopolitan & Jackie O Daiquiri. We also walk through the wine list offerings. Followed by Chef Amol discussing construction of a complementary menu, with fantastic foods that stand alone; Chicken Liver Mousse, Deviled Eggs, Lamb & Pork Meatballs. YUM!

Reserve a table at BARDO! 3343 Lakeshore Avenue, Oakland, CA

20240529_174731
20240515_184223
20240515_171816
History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Visits Yorba Wines

Leave a comment

It was a lovely afternoon in the foothills with Ann Kraemer and her dog at Yorba Wines! THE VARIETAL SHOW visited with her in Amador County, where we discussed the long history of vineyards at high elevations, going back to gold rush times, and amazing wine community. With nods to winemaker Ken Bernards of Ancien Wines.

Together we taste through her Yorba Barbera 2016, Tempranillo 2013 & Syrah 2014.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

20240426_130603
20240426_160632
20240426_155717
Screenshot_22-5-2024_203126_static.wixstatic.com
Art, Music, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Rock On With David J On THE VARIETAL SHOW

Leave a comment

What??? Yes, David J, British alternative rock musician, producer, writer, and bassist for iconic goth rock bands Bauhaus and Love & Rockets. He joins local musician Darwin Meiners (of the band Temptation) on THE VARIETAL SHOW to reminisce about Spanish wine, B Sides and #LIVE105! We all share a glass of Patz & Hall, Pisoni Vineyard, Pinot Noir & Lasseter Family Winery, Amoureux

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

20240507_190403
20240507_180420
20240507_182142
Event, Farm, Festivals, Food, Sommelier, Wine

Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience! May 16-19, 2024

Leave a comment

The Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience is a weekend-long celebration featuring the best of Sonoma County and world-renowned food and wines. Showcasing the region’s makers – farmers, growers, winemakers and chefs – alongside globally recognized wines from the greatest wine regions of the world.

Lots of exciting events to choose from, I will be at the Bollywood Night at La Crema! Choose your favorite from the TICKET site. Cheers! Chris

Art, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Episode #150 With Heidi Barrett On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

Celebrating the150th Episode, and 4 years of THE VARIETAL SHOW, by visiting my great friend Heidi Barrett of La Sirena Winery! Started in 1994at the northern end of Napa Valley in Calistoga, we discuss the ocean, time capsules, magic carpets and of course, wine. Taste these gems with us: 2023 La Sirena Moscato Azul, 2020 Aviatrix Grenache, 2019 La Sirena Studio Series.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW