Category Archives: Sommelier

Sommelier, Sports, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Mark Ibanez & Mega-Cabs on THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Bay Area locals will all remember this guy, recently retired sportscaster Mark Ibanez from KTVU. He joined me for a spectacular tasting of classic Napa Valley Cabs (& nearby), followed by a chat on THE VARIETAL SHOW about the selections, and some fun sports reflections about the Golden State Warriors & SF 49ers.

Some amazing Cabernet Sauvignon’s from the 1990’s! Crocker Starr, Arrowood Vineyards, Robert Craig, Rudd Estate, Benzinger, Col Solare, Cornerstone Cellars, Aiken, Sequoia Grove, Laurel Glen

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Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Pinot Paradise On Thursday August 18th At Gravenstein Grill!

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Join Gravenstein Grill & Sawyer Somm on the patio to enjoy wine tastings with 15+ top Pinot Noir producers! Talk to winemakers & growers while enjoying paired hors d’oeuvres from Chefs Bob Simontacchi & Makana Colunga.

Guest wineries include: Marimar Estate, Scherrer Winery, Anaba Wines, Davis Bynum, Calstar Cellars, Dutton-Goldfield, Keller Estate, Bacigalupi, Ancien, Radio-Coteau, Benovia Winery, Kobler Estate, Bucher Wines, Papapietro-Perry, Lombardi Wines, Porter Creek Vineyards, Freeman Winery, Kanzler Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Purple Pacyderm & More!

TICKETS are $50 preorder and $60 at the door, and includes tastings with ALL of the guest wineries as well as light seasonal appetizers.

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Is Back With Dyer Vineyards!

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More fantastic interview with Dawnine Dyer in the Diamond Mountain AVA, near Calistoga! We delve into discussion and tasting of the fabulous Cabernet Franc from Dyer Vineyards And give a nod to the book “Appellation Napa Valley” by Richard Mendelson, as we ponder the dynamic nature of regions in Napa County.

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Dyer Vineyards Marks #100 On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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That’s right ONE-HUNDRED EPISODES! Make sure to Subscribe for the next 100 epic interviews to follow. Join THE VARIETAL SHOW to talk about Napa Valley Cabernet with Dawnine Dyer of Dyer Vineyards.

Dyer Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon on left.

Up on Diamond Mountain, near Calistoga, in the Mayacamas mountain range we sit 800 ft above Napa Valley. Together we discuss the beauty, and long history, of high elevation wines in the Napa mountains and taste a delicious Dyer Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon blend.

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

Winemaker Randy Meyer From Barra On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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Basking in the sun of Redwood Valley, winemaker Randy Meyer at Barra of Mendocino & Girasole Vineyards, welcomes THE VARIETAL SHOW. We discuss the advantages of Mendocino grapes, having estate vineyards, organic winemaking and wine blending. We get a little ZINNY, tasting the 2019 Barra of Mendocino Zinfandel & Girasole Vineyards, Charlie’s Blend!

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Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Rosé & Aromatic White Wine Tasting – July 21st At Gravenstein Grill!

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Enjoy the Gravenstein Grill Summer Wine Series, with Sawyer Somm on the patio and enjoy wine tastings with 15+ top Rosé & Aromatic White Wine producers Thursday July 21, 5:30-7pm! Talk to winemakers and growers while enjoying paired hors d’oeuvres from Chefs Bob Simontacchi & Makana Colunga.

Guest wineries include: Acumen, Paradise Ridge, Acorn Winery, Flanagan Wine, Carol Shelton Winery, Radio Coteau, Red Car Wine, Talisman Wine, Trecini Winery, Marimar Estate, Balletto Vineyards, Bucher Wines, Vine Wrangler, Chenoweth Wines, Cornerstone Cellars, J. Cage Cellars, Kobler Estate Winery, Claypool Cellars, Crux Winery, Viszlay Vineyards & More!

TICKETS are $40 pre-order and $50 at the door, and includes tastings with ALL of the guest wineries as well as light seasonal appetizers.

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

THE VARIETAL SHOW Visits Domaine Anderson Winemaker Darrin Low

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Trekking along Hwy 128, THE VARIETAL SHOW made a stop at Domaine Anderson, to have a chat with winemaker Darrin Low. In a different part of Mendocino, this time just outside the town of Philo, for some wines with true Anderson Valley flavors. Together we discuss the growth of wineries in AV, how the ocean portal affects the grapes and being biodynamic with 100% estate fruit!

Taste with us: Domaine Anderson 2018 Chardonnay, 2021 Rose, 2018 & 2020 Pinot Noir. Plus we go “into the deep” with their 2014 Pinoli Vineyard Pinot Noir!

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

We Be Bubbly On THE VARIETAL SHOW With Erin Riley

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Ever get an hankering to sparkle? Well then join THE VARIETAL SHOW at Be Bubbly with proprietor Erin Riley! This lounge is a true 2020 success story, located in Napa’s historic downtown district. Together we share a bottle of 2018 Michel Gonet, Blanc De Noir, and discuss what is great about sparkling wine, what varietals make it delicious and what is a perfect palate match.

Plan your visit to this exclusive bubbly bar, with an assortment of champagne, sparking and appetizers to pair, that has an assortment of clever activities and music all week long!

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

Going MENDO With Martha Barra On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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It was my pleasure to taste wines up North with Matha Barra in the amazing Redwood Valley appellation. THE VARIETAL SHOW discusses her husband Charlie’s legacy in the North Coast region, his success as an innovator and 28 years organic! Taste their wines with us, Girasole Vineyards Pinot Blanc, and Barra of Mendocino Petite Sirah for the ultimate #GoMendo experience.

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Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Cruising To Alaska With Sawyer Somm!

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Mark your calendar to join me for Alaska: Buyer’s Choice Wine Cruise: A 7-night Celebrity Solstice cruise starting July 29, 2022.

This Exploration Tour of West Coast Wines includes Classic Beverage Package, prepaid gratuities and unlimited surf internet (up to four guests), as well as these Somm hosted amenities:

  • Welcome aboard hosted reception
  • Private, four-course wine-pairing luncheon
  • Two private wine-tasting events

Hoping you can come along on this special event from Costco Travel. Stay tuned for more info about my Celebrity Cruise to MEXICO in October–Cheers Matey!!!!