Category Archives: Sommelier

Fifty Shades of Pink! A Fundraiser with Rosé, Sunday, May 17th

Every year, AFWC presents Fifty Shades of Pink, as a follow-up fundraising event to THE Rosé Competition. It is a fantastic opportunity to sip incredible wine, taste fabulous food, listen to cool sounds, and help raise funds for important causes.

The 2026 Fifty Shades of Pink is open to the public and will take place on Sunday, May 17th, at the Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club: A late-afternoon-into-the-evening fun. Pouring more than 150 beautiful rosé wines and dozens of award-winning wines from The Invitational – amazing reds & whites – plus wineries will be there pouring other wines. Local restaurants are also invited to showcase their creations. Get your TICKETS!

When your winery registers for THE Rosé Competition, your wines will also be shared at this benefit event, which attracts hundreds of business professionals: An opportunity to showcase wines and meet these enthusiastic attendees. Wineries register HERE!

Time to Enter! THE Rosé Competition From AFWC

The American Fine Wine Competition announces THE Rosé Competition 2026, the 13th edition, taking place at the Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club on May 16, 2026.

REGISTER YOUR WINES HERE! The fee is $70.00 per wine entered.  Registered wines will be accepted through May 1st, 2026. Both International and domestic rosé wines are invited to participate. This includes sparkling, dry, and sweet wine categories.

We require four bottles of each wine entered, two for the competition, one to promote your wine at our annual “Fifty Shades of Pink” public fundraising event (info coming soon), and one signed bottle for our charity auction.

Why Enter THE Rosé Competition? THE Rosé Competition is International and features world-renowned judges from across the country who are professionals in the wine industry: They include chefs, sommeliers, retailers, writers, retailers & educators.

  • Winning medals can help boost sales and brand awareness.
  • Give your brand pride, prestige and bragging rights.
  • Gain recognition with consumers, distributors and retailers.
  • Wines awarded medals receive a beautiful Medal/Ribbon to display.
  • Digital medals are provided for promotions, online marketing, and social media.
  • Medals help you sell more wine!

We promote the results through our media partners and at our trade and consumer tasting events throughout the year. Complete results are listed on the AFWC website.

Thank you and we look forward to sharing your wines! Shari & Chris

Tasting Trombetta Family Wines on TVS!

Talking with Rickey Trombetta, Proprietor of Trombetta Family Wines, about the beauties of Pinot Noir and the great upcoming SCVPour+Explore Tasting event focused on this amazing red grape variety, happening Thursday, April 23rd at Bricoleur Vineyards in Russian River Valley!

Thirty amazing SoCo wineries, get your TICKETS now! Cheers, Chris

THE VARIETAL SHOW Visits Tom Rinaldi!

Flashback to YouTube on THE VARIETAL SHOW, featuring iconic Winemaker Tom Rinaldi! Co-owner of Patent Wines in St. Helena, with an emphasis on site specific vineyards within an AVA, he was Head Winemaker at Duckhorn Vineyards for more than two decades and helped put Napa Valley and other winegrowing regions on the world map. Tom has extensive experience, paired with Bordeaux best practices honed over 50 harvests.

Pour+Explore Pinot Noir! Thursday April 23rd @Bricoleur

Don’t miss an unforgettable Pour+Explore evening of sipping, swirling, and discovery while exploring outstanding Sonoma County Pinot Noir.

Join me and Sonoma County Vintners on Thursday, April 23, 5:30-7:30pm at the beautiful Bricoleur Vineyards in Windsor, for a walk-around tasting featuring wines from 30+ Sonoma County vintners, featuring a curated selection of wines from each vintner. You’ll enjoy a grazing station prepared by the Bricoleur Vineyard’s culinary team and Executive Chef Todd Knoll.

TICKETS available now!

Wilfred Wong – A TVS Fine Wine Gem!

Talking about wine and it’s history with one of California’s great minds on those subjects, San Francisco’s own Wilfred Wong! Enjoy this video and the conversation we have about the recent SF Chronicle Wine Tasting and the old and rare wine gems we taste from Marimar Estate, Chateau Montelena and Lancaster Estate.

Caribbean & Bahamas cruise With Sawyer Somm in December 2026!

Set sail on a one-of-a-kind experience to the Caribbean and experience multiple tasting events with expert Sommelier Christopher Sawyer: Caribbean and Bahamas: Kirkland Signature Pinot In Paradise Wine Cruise

Starting December 5th, 2026, this 7-night Celebrity Apex cruise departs from Port Canaveral in Orlando, Florida; with stops in Puerto Plata, Saint Thomas & Basseterre.

Tasting Bordeaux With En Garde On TVS!

Red Bordeaux Varieties planted in American soil? You bet! Enjoy this fun tasting and discussion with me and Csaba Szakal, the Hungarian-born winemaker/proprietor of En Garde Winery in Kenwood! Come taste his wines and 30+ others from the Sonoma County Vintners being shared at the annual Pour+Explore Bordeaux Tasting event on Thursday evening, February 12th, at Rodney Strong. Get your TICKETS!

A Merriam Vineyards Visit on TVS: Tasting Bordeaux!

Talking about RED Bordeaux varietals grown in Sonoma County with proprietor Peter Merriam of Merriam Vineyards before the upcoming Pour+Explore Tasting!

This amazing event, brought to you by Sonoma County Vintners and I, will be hosted at Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, next Thursday night, February 12th (just 2 days before Valentine’s Day #hinthint😉).

Get your TICKETS before it sells out!

Up Next: P+E Bordeaux Varietals on February 12th!

Join us for our first Pour+Explore tasting of the new year! An exclusive event to celebrate Valentine’s Day, featuring a special selection of red Bordeaux Varietals from over 20 wineries across Sonoma County on Thursday February 12th, 5:30-7:30pm at Rodney Strong Vineyards. This festive tasting includes a walk-around selection of curated wines from each vintner, and light bites with a selection of cheese and charcuterie.

Come dressed in Valentine’s Day attire to snap a selfie at the photo wall, and enjoy romantic lounge beats by DJ J-KIND.

Get your TICKETS to enjoy the wines of these Sonoma County Vintners! ACTA Wines, Aldina Vineyards, Aperture Cellars, Banshee, Benovia, Brandon Gregory Estate, Bricoleur Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyard, EHRET Winery, En Garde, Fisher Vineyards, G & C Lurton, Hamel Family Winery, Lambert Bridge, Lasseter Family Winery, Ledson, Longbaord Vineyards, Meadowcroft Wines, Medlock-Ames, Merriam Vineyards, Pride Mountain, Ramey Wine Cellars, Robert Young, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Roth Estate, ROWEN Wine Co., Silver Oak, Thumbprint Cellars & more!