Category Archives: Sommelier

Sawyer Somm Birthday Fire Relief Fundraiser Pizza Party! November 2nd

A socially distanced Pizza Party at Gravenstein Grill celebrating my birthday – benefiting the Sonoma Resilience Fund! Monday, November 2nd, 5-8pm

RESERVE YOUR SEATS HERE! Pizza, Wine & a Full Bar will be available. Groups must be 10 or fewer and be pre-reserved to maintain social distance. Each group will receive their own table.

Allen Wines & Bucher Wines will be pouring at the event as well as a cash bar: 50% of all ticket sales goes directly to the resilience fund!

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8050 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
(707) 634-6142

Masters of Merlot: Duckhorn Vineyards & Cuvaison, October 28th

Join me in celebration of International Merlot Month as I host a very special virtual tasting with two of America’s most acclaimed MERLOT winemakers, Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards and Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison. Together, we’ll explore how these two iconic wineries helped to establish Napa Valley Merlot as one of America’s greatest wines, and how they are leading the way in showcasing the beauty and sophistication of Merlot in the modern era.

Click Here To Register
ZOOM Webinar – Wednesday October 28 at 5pm

Top: Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison
Above: Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards
Top: Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison
Above: Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards

As we taste through sought-after wines from both wineries, Renée and Roggy will discuss what makes great Napa Valley Merlot so extraordinary, how beautifully it pairs with food, and how the film Sideways was actually good for Merlot. Whether you’re a Merlot fanatic, or are just discovering how approachable, age-worthy, and simply delicious Merlot is, this is a tasting you do not want to miss!

We will sample wines from the famed vine rows of Duckhorn’s Three Palms Vineyard in Calistoga, which was the source for Wine Spectator’s 2017 “Wine of the Year,” to Cuvaison’s legendary estate in the cooler Los Carneros region of Napa—which has unique parallels to the Merlot heartland of Bordeaux’s Right Bank—to learn about the terroirs where Merlot achieves its finest expressions. JOIN US!

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard
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2017 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot

A Petrified Forest Experience On The Varietal Show

The Varietal Show sits down with Ken & Susan Piters at Petrified Forest Vineyard to explore the wonderful wines at Totem Ridge Vineyards, in Knights Valley. For even more about this stunning sipper check out these other posts TAKE A LITTLE SOJOURN TO PETRIFIED FOREST VINEYARDS WITH THE VARIETAL SHOW and TRY SOME STELLAR WINES FOR YOUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!

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

A Napa Valley Visit With Matthiasson Wines on The Varietal Show

Amidst the smoke I traveled over to Napa Valley for an
insightful conversation with well-respected farmer and winemaker Steve Matthiasson: The Varietal Show finds out more about working with unique grape varieties from Matthiasson Wines.

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

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CAB Time with Allen Wines on the Varietal Show!

Watch Sal and I dive into some fabulous Cabs, with
Knights Link & Stanford Oakville Cabernet Sauvignons: Delicious drinks from Allen Wines on The Varietal Show!

Watch my previous episode with Sal Rehman of Allen Wines to learn about their Pinot Noir & Chardonnay! Don’t miss the conversations and remember to hit LIKESHARE the love, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

The Wine Competition Virtual Discussion – Watch it HERE!

Lucky for you our virtual meetup was recorded and can be shared after the fact! In preparation for the Central Coast Wine Competition on October 12-14, listen in this illuminating discussion with Tim McDonald, Jeff Kralik, Sarah Tracey and myself, via the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance!

Cool ass AVA map of Paso Robles!

The Varietal Show Gets Tasty With Verde Vineyards!

Inside the tasting room is a different perspective of Verde Vineyards, located in the beautiful Santa Clara Valley. Put your feet up to enjoy our discussion then click on over to the first part for some scenic backgrounds at VISIT VERDE VINEYARDS WITH THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Check out our conversation here and remember to hit LIKESHARE the love, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

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The Varietal Show Goes MENDO with Chef Marc Dym!

Have you ever eaten at The Little River Inn on the breathtaking scenic edge of Mendocino County? Then thank Chef Marc Dym for your delicious dining experience! I sat down with my friend to discuss coastal cuisine, cocktails and wine in this exciting conversation on The Varietal Show! #GoingMendo

Check it out here and click LIKESHARE, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

Great Zin-Sploration at Pacini Vineyards for The Varietal Show

On the Talmage Bench in Mendocino County is a true Zinfandel Experience. With 100 year old vines, the Pacini Vineyard fruit is in many well-known bottles including Baca Wines, Bedrock Wine Co., Steele Wines, Von Strasser, and WALT Wines. Join The Varietal Show and curator Lorenzo Pacini for an educational discussion to find out more!

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