Category Archives: Sommelier

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Wine

Get Your Virtual ZinEx-perience!

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While the annual ZinEx weekend was in late January, you can still a LIVE Virtual Seminar & Tasting event on March 4th, 4pm PST. Sign up HERE! Then, scroll down for the first set of Meet The Maker mini-seminars that was recorded for your viewing convenience.

This first day of Zinfandel features five locations; Paso Robles, North Sonoma, Dry Creek, Napa Valley & Italy. Check out the detailed list of moderators (including me!) and wineries below.

(Virtual ZinEX, Day 1 from New York Wine Events on Vimeo.)

Paso Robles: Moderated by Randy Caparoso | J. Dusi | Chronic Cellars | Ridge Vineyards | Peachy Canyon |

North Sonoma: Moderated by Ian Blackburn BACA Wines | Hartford Family Winery | Martinelli Winery | Mauritson Wines

Dry Creek: Moderated by Chris Sawyer | Armida Winery | Dry Creek Vineyard | Pedroncelli | Seghesio Family Vineyards

Napa Valley: Moderated by Chris Sawyer | Elyse Wines | Leonard Wine Company | Mike & Molly Hendry | Robert Biale Vineyards

Italy: Moderated by Sam Kimball | Felline Accademia dei Racemi


Charity, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Wine

Make C. Elizabeth Your Virtual Valentine!

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The Varietal Show this week is a broadcast I moderated for a spectacular new boutique winery! Not only did I get the pleasure of tasting and talking about C. Elizabeth, but they are also making some noise due to their special fundraising project: From now until March 15, 2021, 50% of all sales of the 2017 C. Elizabeth Game Farm Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon is being donated to Napa Valley Community Foundation . 

So show them some BIG LOVE and watch my tasting to find out more! Cheers, Christopher

Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Wine

Acumen Wine & Friends on CPTV, Thursday February 11th!

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Covering all the virtual bases this week on CellarPass TV with Sawyer Somm of course, Diana Schweiger of Acumen Wine, as well as CEO, entrepreneur & author Drew Hiss, with his best-selling book Sharpen, and just a little taste of Jack Stack BBQ! Join us on Thursday February 11th, 6-7pm, to find out more. FREE registration & pre-show deals are available online!

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

Petrified Forest Vineyards Is Tasting Good On The Varietal Show!

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Revisiting my great discussions with Ken & Susan Piters at Petrified Forest Vineyards this week in a glance back at 2020. Join us to explore the significance of grapes from Totem Ridge Vineyards in Knights Valley. You can also read some of my recent reviews of their wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my You Tube Channel for each weekly episode on Tuesdays at 12:30pm. Contact us to feature your winery on The Varietal Show!

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Wine

Turn it Up To ELEVEN On Feb 4th With CPTV!

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Travel with us to Washington state for an hour to visit with Matt Albee, founder and winemaker at Eleven Winery! Join CellarPass TV on Thursday February 4th, 6-7pm to learn about how Matt’s deep experience in the lab, the kitchen, and on the road prepared him well for the day that he first wandered into the cellar, and emerged a changed man.

FREE Registration HERE and your PRE-ORDER opportunity to taste along with their 2019 Eleven Viognier Yakima Valley, 2019 Eleven Mourvedre and 2019 Eleven LEM!

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

The Varietal Show Gets Educated At Locanda!

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The Varietal Show saved this gem for just such a rainy day, to explore these magnificent profiles of the Locanda Estate Chardonnay and Cabernet from the Beckstoffer Vineyards in Napa Valley. Join me, socially-distanced at the charming estate, with winemaker Brian Graham and special guest Liz Thach MW!

Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to my You Tube Channel for each weekly episode on Tuesdays at 12:30pm.

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Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Wine

CPTV Features Acumen Wines & Phillip Ashley Chocolates on January 28th

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Did somebody say WINE & CHOCOLATE? Well then sign me up for the next episode of CellarPass TV, with guests from Acumen Wines and Phillip Ashley Chocolates to tantalize our tastebuds!

Diana Schweiger of Acumen (top) & Phillip Ashley Rix with a colorful chocolate display! (above)

Show starts at 6pm on Thursday January 28th, featuring a two-vintage vertical of our renowned Acumen PEAK Edcora Cabernet Sauvignon (including two 100-point vintages!). In addition to savoring this sought-after vertical, we will be unveiling the new Edcora Wine Molasses Dark Chocolate Bon Bons, which are infused with the 2015 Edcora Cabernet.

REGISTER & PRE-ORDER the Three-Vintage Vertical Tasting Pack, with exclusive event pricing. As an added treat, the first 25 people to order will also receive a complimentary box of six Edcora Bon Bons shipped directly from Phillip Ashley Chocolates.

CHEERS & See You Then! Christopher

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Matthiasson Wines Replay With The Varietal Show!

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Way back in 2020 (remember that year?), I foraged my way through pandemic and smoke to have some socially-distanced visits to extraordinary wineries. Here is a favorite insightful conversation with well-respected farmer and winemaker Steve Matthiasson. Join The Varietal Show to find out more about working with unique grape varieties from Matthiasson Wines.

Check it out here and remember to hit LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW my You Tube channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

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Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

ZIN EX Goes Virtual in 2021!

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With a series of online events catered to your tasting experience, ZIN EX goes LIVE ONLINE on January 30 & 31, featuring more than three dozen outstanding California wineries. Registration is OPEN NOW which is offered FREE to the general public. In particular be sure to join my 2 Meet The Maker panels on Saturday Jan 30, of the 10 toal moderated sessions on both days between 1-4pm, featuring winemakers or winery principals, among the multiple memorable excursions:

  • Dry Creek Valley Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards – 2:15pm
  • Napa Valley Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards – 2:45pm

Attendees will be able to watch the Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards panel discussions via live stream on the Main Stage, they can ask questions via real-time chat, visit Virtual Booths to speak directly with key winery personnel. Participating wineries will offer special promotions before, during, and after the event with wine details. Guests can purchase the wine in advance to taste along or go shopping post-event.

See you there! Christopher

news, People, Sommelier, Wine

Sawyer Somm Becomes the Interviewee!

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“Turning the Tables – Interviewing the Interviewers” is a Q&A series profiling Wine Writers from The Wine Industry Advisor. The objective of this project is to understand and develop working relationships with journalists: Those that help tell the stories, review wines and potentially provide media coverage.

On Jan 12, it was MY TURN to be the subject of their inquiry. Read the interview HERE! This is part of an ongoing series that will be featured monthly by Wine Industry Network. Cheers! Christopher