Category Archives: Sommelier

#GoMendo All Over The Place On The Varietal Show!

With the recent return of The Varietal Show to Mendocino Wine Country, I want to revisit and share the episodes from my previous visit! After you watch the current episodes at Navarro Vineyards and Drew Family Cellars, then scroll down to really #GoMendo!

Get Your Tickets To Telluride Wine Festival: Sept 23-26!

A little delayed this year for safety but IT IS ON! Check out the details at Telluride Wine Festival and join the 40th Anniversary celebrations throughout the week of September 23-26.

I am hosting four spectacular seminars with amazing wines from Acumen, Felix Solis Avantis, Davis Bynum, Rodney Strong, Chehalem, Stoller, Three Wine Co., The Lineage Collection, Chappellet, J. Lohr, The Storm Cellar, Santa Ynez Valley, Kind of Wild and more. . . WINERIES, it is not too late to register and come along! Email me back to find out more.

WINE LOVERScheck the schedule and join my seminars for delicious wines and lively discussions including:

  • Red Wine Heaven! Pinot Paradise
  • What’s a Rhone? The Art of Blending
  • New Altitude! Pure Mountain Wines
  • Exploration Tour of Secret Varieties

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE! Christopher

Throw back to a pre-pandemic year, still loads of fun but without the crowding this time!

Drinking With Drew Family Cellars On The Varietal Show

Come along to the Islands in the Sky when The Varietal Show makes a return trip to the Mendocino Ridge, with Star Winemaker Jason Drew of Drew Family Cellars! At this idyllic high elevation winery, where both grapes and apples grow, we taste Faîte De Mer Farm Pinot Noir, Estate Midslope Pinot Noir & The Field Blend GSM Red Wine.
#GoMendo #MendoWines

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting upcoming episodes, mostTuesdays @12:30pm!

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The Varietal Show At Navarro Vineyards In Mendocino!

Can you say Edelzwicker? Talking about this award winning wine and others with Winemaker Jim Klein of Navarro Vineyards. Join The Varietal Show on this Anderson Valley stop near Philo, along Hwy 128 in Mendocino County to taste their spectacular Edelzwicker, Pinot Noir and Riesling. #GoMendo #MendoWines

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting upcoming episodes, mostTuesdays @12:30pm!

Tasty Talk At Trelio on The Varietal Show!

Cruising along Hwy 99, on my early May road trip I stopped in at the spectacular restaurant oasis Trelio, in the central valley town of Clovis, for some double somm time on The Varietal Show with my friend Chris Shackelford, and his dad Jim: Off the spectacular wine list we share a bottle of Claudio Vio 2019 Pigato (Riviera, Ligure di Ponente, Liguria, Italy), so join us for a good talk and delicious tasting!

Visit TRELIO Restaurant in Clovis, CA: Located at 438 Clovis Ave #4: Call for details 559-297-0783!

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Rhones Alone At Tablas Creek Vineyards On The Varietal Show!

Whew! SIXTY episodes in, so The Varietal Show is having a little vacay. But still taking time to send you halfway back to EP #30 (& 31) from last autumn, in this two-part sit down with Jason Haas at Tablas Creek Vineyards in Paso Robles! LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting upcoming episodes, Tuesdays @12:30pm!

EP #30: On my trek down to Paso Robles The Varietal Show explored the joys of red wines made with Rhone varietals grown on their marvelous estate properties, featuring the first tasting of the 2018 Tablas Creek Esprit Rouge!

EP #31: My conversation with Jason Haas continues, reflecting on lessons from his dad with wine, and sharing 3 tiers of red blends including a tasty Mourvedre on The Varietal Show. Paso Robles wine country is open for business!

Epoch Estate Wines Talks AVA & Art on The Varietal Show

Here are two unique episodes of The Varietal Show featuring Jordan Fiorentini of Epoch Estate Wines in San Luis Obispo County! Scroll down to watch both and then LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting episodes, Tuesdays @12:30pm!

First up is the York Mountain AVA that I got to visit with Jordan: Join us on this epic adventure where we talk about the beauty of this AVA, their 2018 Grenache and Syrah!

Next enjoy Jordan’s “visual tasting notes” as we try the Rosé and White wines together, for an epic discussion about pairing art and yummy food for summer!

The Varietal Show Takes 2 At Joseph Swan Vineyards!

Going backwards a bit to loop everyone in on my visit to Joseph Swan Vineyards, with The Rodfather, AKA Rod Berglund, and his tales from a terrific palate! Parts 1 & 2 of The Varietal Show interview are shared here.

#SawyerSomm sits down in Russian River Valley to taste the Valdiguié, Syrah and glimpse of a Simi North Coast Burgundy from the early 60’s! Then The Rodfather shares his knowledge about this landmark site and the historic Trenton region, as well as some Russian River Pinot & Chardonnay that is definitely worth talking about! LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting episodes, Tuesdays at 12:30pm

#HWC2021 – The Video Collection!

We had a grand old time at the Home Winemakers Classic in support of Mt Veeder Fire Safe Council! For details and photos check out my previous post, but scroll down here for two of my spectacular winemaker interviews, featured on The Varietal Show, and a replay of the entire HWC event from July 17th!

You can also watch my Instragram interviews (@sawyersommelier) with Shari Staglin: Staglin Family Vineyard, Steve Sando: Rancho Gordo Beans, Angelina Mondavi: Dark Matter Wines & Walter Hamlin: Oakville Wine Merchant!

#HWC2021 Raises Funds To Protect Mt Veeder From Fires!

Fantastic results for a noble cause!

For more than 30 years, the Home Winemakers Classic has generated funding in support of fire safety for the Mount Veeder neighborhood in Napa Valley via a silent auction and a raffle. The virtual event was filmed at The Hess Collection Estate to raise critical funds for the Mt Veeder Fire Safe Council.

Mark Ibanez, Sports Director for KTVU Channel 2, and I discussed of some of the amazing Wine Auction Lots up for grabs, showed several short documentaries I did with my good friends at Lagier Meredith Vineyard, Judd’s Hill and MicroCrush. Concluding with announcement of the winner of the prestigious Nathan Fay Award for the 37th Annual Home Winemakers Classic!

Fabulous photos and Instragram interviews (@sawyersommelier) with Shari Staglin: Staglin Family Vineyard, Steve Sando: Rancho Gordo Beans, Angelina Mondavi: Dark Matter Wines & Walter Hamlin: Oakville Wine Merchant, are up now: Videos from our show will be here in a few days so plan to come back soon!

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