Category Archives: Sommelier

Art, Awards, Competition, Event, Festivals, Film, Judging, Sommelier, Video, Wine

Announcing. . . the 2024 SIFF Wine Awards Winners!

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Revealed during the Awards Brunch, hosted by Fairmont Mission Inn, at the Sonoma International Film Festival last Sunday March 24th. Watch the highlights, peruse the list for more details: Congratulations & THANK YOU to everyone involved!

SPARKLING WINE

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Breathless NV Blanc de Noirs Brut, Sonoma County

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST SPARKLING WINE –SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024
Sharon Cohn of Breathless Wines

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Gloria Ferrer 2019 Brut Rosé, Carneros

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Breathless 2018 Pinot Meunier Sparkling Wine, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Gloria Ferrer 2013 Carneros Cuvée, Carneros

GOLD / 92 Pts              Glen Lyon 2021 “Lexy’s Toast” Sparkling Rosé, North Coast

GOLD / 91 Pts              Bennett Valley Cellars NV ” Cuvée Marina” Sparkling Wine, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Glen Lyon 2021 “Lexy’s Toast” Sparkling Wine, North Coast

SILVER                        Breathless 2018 Pinot Blanc Sparkling Wine, Reserve, Alexander Valley

SILVER                        Gloria Ferrer 2019 Blanc de Blancs Brut, Carneros

SILVER                        Larson Family NV Sparkling Wine, Carneros

AROMATIC WHITES (ALSATIAN, RHONE & ITALIAN WHITE VARIETALS)

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Larson Family 2022 Gewurztraminer, Estate Grown, Carneros

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST AROMATIC WHITE WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2022 Viognier, Petaluma Gap

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Thirty-Seven 2022 Albarino, Estate Grown, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 92 Pts              Anaba 2022 Viognier, Landa Vineyards Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 90 Pts              Anaba 2022 Turbine White Blend No. 02, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Muscardini 2021 Vermentino, Coyote Creek Vineyard, Clements Hills, Lodi

SILVER                        La Prenda 2021 “The Copper” Pinot Grigio, Napa Valley

SILVER                        Sebastiani 2022 Pinot Grigio, Russian River Valley

SILVER                        Glen Lyon 2022 “Suzie’s Toast” Viognier, Margarets Vyd, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Mountain Terraces 2021 Viognier, Estate Grown, Moon Mountain District

SAUVIGNON BLANC

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Laurel Glen 2022 “Blanc Slate” Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC — SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Capo Isetta 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, North Coast

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Ledson 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Little Horse Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Zina Hyde Cunningham 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Estate, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Highway 12 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Kukeri 2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley

CHARDONNAY

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Capo Isetta 2022 Chardonnay, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Carneros

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST CHARDONNAY – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Buena Vista 2021 Eleanora’s Selection Chardonnay, North Coast

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Idell Family 2022 Chardonnay, Michael Mara Vineyard, Sonoma Coast

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Banshee 2021 Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Bennett Valley Cellars 2022 Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2021 “Tre Terre” Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              Anaba 2021 Chardonnay, Carneros

GOLD / 91 Pts              Larson Family 2022 Three Lab Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 90 Pts              DeLoach 2021 “Fleur de Lys” Estate Chardonnay, Russian River Valley

GOLD / 90 Pts              Sonoma Creek 2022 Chardonnay, Sonoma County

GOLD / 90 Pts              Larson Family 2022 Millerick Road Chardonnay, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Bennett Valley Cellars 2021 Bin 5757 Uoaked Chardonnay, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Gloria Ferrer 2021 Vista Reserve Chardonnay, Estate Grown, Carneros

SILVER                        La Chertosa 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Ledson 2021 Chardonnay, Adelines Vineyard, Anderson Valley

SILVER                        Thirty-Seven 2020 Estate Chardonnay, Petaluma Gap

SILVER                        Sebastiani 2020 Butterfield Station Chardonnay, North Coast

Thankful for Danyelle Blue, helping organize our competition wines!

PINK WINES / ROSÉS

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Benziger Family 2023 Rosé of Grenache, Frank Johnson Vyd, Dry Creek Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST PINK WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Lasseter Family 2022 “Enjoue” Rosé, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Ledson 2022 Counoise Rose, Redwood Valley

GOLD / 93 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2022 Dry Sangiovese Rosé, Sonoma County

GOLD / 92 Pts              Muscardini 2022 Rosato di Sangiovese, Santo Giordano, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              La Chertosa 2022 “Eye of the Swan” Reserve Aleatico Rosé, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Glen Lyon 2022 “Blush O’ The Boar” Syrah Rosé, Estate, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Capo Isetta 2023 Rose of Pinot Noir, Carneros

PINOT NOIR

DBL GOLD / 98 Pts   DeLoach 2018 “Fleur de Lys” Estate Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST PINOT NOIR – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Thirty-Seven 2022 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Petaluma Gap

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Banshee 2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Gloria Ferrer 2021 Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Carneros

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Sonoma Creek 2022 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

GOLD / 94 Pts              Capo Isetta 2022 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 94 Pts              Kukeri 2021 Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 94 Pts              Buena Vista 2021 Pinot Noir, Carneros

GOLD / 93 Pts              Bennett Valley Cellars 2021 Bin 5757 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Anaba 2022 Pinot Noir, Sangiacomo Vineyard, Petaluma Gap

GOLD / 90 Pts              Larson Family 2021 Millerick Road Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

SILVER                        DeLoach Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Van Der Kamp Vyd, Sonoma Mountain

SILVER                        Glen Lyon 2022 Pinot Noir, Parmelee Hill Vineyardd, Sonoma Coast

SILVER                        Bennett Valley Cellars 2021 Pinot Noir, Bennett Valley

SILVER                        Larson Family 2021 Three Lab Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Larson Family 2020 Pinot Noir, Sonoma County

RHONE REDS (VARIETALS & BLENDS)

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Ledson 2021 Grenache, Ricetti Lane, Redwood Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST RHONE WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024
Celebrating with the Ledson family!

GOLD / 94 Pts              Lasseter Family 2019 “Chemin de Fer” Red Wine, Estate, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              Idell Family 2019 “Compound” GSM Blend, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Glen Lyon 2022 Estate Syrah, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Idell Family 2019 “Oscar” Syrah, Sonoma Valley

RED WINE BLENDS

DBL GOLD / 98 Pts Glen Lyon 2021 “Squire’s Toast” Red Wine, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST RED BLEND – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Muscardini 2019 “Tesoro” Red Wine, California

GOLD / 91 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2022 “Siena” Red Wine, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Idell Family 2018 “MB-5V” Red Wine, Oscar Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

ZINFANDEL

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Ledson 2019 Zinfandel, Old Vine, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST ZINFANDEL – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

GOLD / 92 Pts              Muscardini 2020 Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Moon Mountain District

GOLD / 91 Pts              Tom Mackey 2021 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Sebastiani 2022 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley

MERLOT & OTHER BORDEAUX VARIETALS

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts   Serres Ranch 2019 “Buchanan” Merlot, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST MERLOT & OTHER BORDEAUX REDS – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       En Garde 2021 Petit Verdot, Moon Mountain District

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Highway 12 2022 Cabernet Franc, Private Reserve, Sonoma Valley

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2021 Cabernet Franc, Knights Valley

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Ledson 2019 Reserve Merlot, Estate Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Larson Family 2019 Malbec, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Serres Ranch 2019 “Watriss” Red Wine, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Benziger Family 2020 “Three Blocks” Estate Red Wine, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 91 Pts              Larson Family 2021 Meritage Red Wine, Sonoma County

GOLD / 90 Pts              Thirty-Seven 2019 “The Hermit” Reserve Red Blend, Estate, Petaluma Gap

SILVER                        Ledson 2019 “Cepage” Red Wine, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Tom Mackey 2021 “Sirius” Red Wine, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Millerick Road 2020 Meritage Red Wine, Lake County

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

DBL GOLD / 98 Pts   En Garde 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Diamond Mountain, Napa Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

With Csaba Szakal of EnGarde Wines.

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Laurel Glen 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate Grown, Sonoma Mountain

DBL GOLD / 97 Pts       Laurel Glen 2019 “Counterpoint” Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Mountain

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       En Garde 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain District

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Mountain Terraces 2019 Block 14 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Muscardini 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Madrona Ridge Vyd, Moon Mountain

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts       Serres Ranch 2019 “Marshall” Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

DBL GOLD / 95 Pts       Sebastiani 2019 “Cherryblock” Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 94 Pts              Sebastiani 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Tom Mackey 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

GOLD / 92 Pts              Capo Isetta 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moon Mountain District

GOLD / 92 Pts              Sonoma Creek 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Banshee 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Buena Vista 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

GOLD / 91 Pts              Ferrari-Carano 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

SILVER                        Tom Mackey 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Tom Mackey 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Larson Family 2019 Three Lab Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County

DESSERT WINE & PORT

DBL GOLD / 96 Pts   Bee Hunter 2014 Late Harvest Riesling, Greenwood Ridge Vineyard, Anderson Valley

  • BEST OF CLASS / BEST DESSERT WINE – SIFF WINE AWARDS 2024

GOLD / 90 Pts              Glen Lyon 2021 Syrah Port, Estate Grown, Sonoma Valley

SILVER                        Anaba 2018 Late Harvest Viognier, Sonoma Valley

Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Watch the River Cruise Webinar – Link Available Here!

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Did you miss our informational Webinar about the Breathless Wines-SawyerSomm AmaWaterways Unparalleled River Cruise Experience?

Well luckily, here is the LINK to watch our discussion about cruise details for that Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle Wine Cruise on July 23, 2025, with hosts Sharon Cohn–Breathless Sparkling Wines & Chris Sawyer– Sommelier, Kim Green– CruiseOne Dream Vacations. (Use Promo Code: SawyerSomm)

Give it a watch and let me know if you have any questions!

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Competition, Festivals, Film, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Clowning Around At GlenLyon On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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Nestled in the idyllic Sonoma Valley lies a winery run by some clown: Squire Fridell, that is. Find out how GlenLyon Winery came to be through his distinctive road to success. Delicious and award-winning, we discuss Suzy’s Toast, Viognier; Hog Wilde Chardonnay; Squire’s Toast Red Blend; GlenLyon Estate Port.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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Appellation, Food, Sommelier, Travels, Wine

Virtual Wine Cruise Webinar-Monday, March 18th

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Please join our Virtual Event to learn about the Breathless Wines-SawyerSomm AmaWaterways Unparalleled River Cruise Experience, for details about our upcoming hosted Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle Wine Cruise on July 23, 2025. (Use Promo Code: SawyerSomm)

Competition, Festivals, Film, Judging, Sommelier, Wine

SIFF Wine Competion – Enter NOW!

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CALLING ALL WINERIES!!! We are excited to announce the SIFF Wine Competition is coming up quickly! We would like to invite you to submit your wines for only $25! Just select from the 14 categories listed below, which you would like to enter. Then provide 2 bottles of wine for each category you are entering and include a spec sheet with the level of residual sugar information.

  • Best Sparkling Wine
  • Best Chardonnay
  • Best Aromatic White Wine
  • Best Sauvignon Blanc
  • Best Other White Varietals & Blends
  • Best Pink Wine (still)
  • Best Pinot Noir
  • Best Merlot
  • Best Red Wine Blend
  • Best Zinfandel
  • Best Rhone Varieties
  • Best Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Best Dessert Wine
  • Best Port Wine

Sign up to participate HERE! Then deliver the wine to the SIFF office, at 103 E Napa Street, Ste. B, Sonoma, CA (above Maya Restaurant) before February 26, 2024: Judging will be organized and executed by sommelier Christopher Sawyer, and a panel of wine experts, on February 29, 2024.

Please let me or Chay (chay@sonomafilmfest.org) know if you have any questions!

Appellation, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

A European River Wine Cruise ~ Summer 2025

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Join Breathless Wines and Sawyer Somm for Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle, next summer, July 23-30, 2025! Now is the time to book your cabin with special discounts, use the Promo Code: SawyerSomm before March 31st.

Featuring 7-Nights, starting off in Amsterdam, traveling through special German wine regions, along the scenic Rhine & Moselle Rivers, abundant with castles, to the final charming destination Luxembourg.

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Event, History, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Robert Biale Vineyards Features Fine Zin On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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The perfect #Zinning combination, THE VARIETAL SHOW talks to winemaker David Natali, of Robert Biale Vineyards: Focus in on Zinfandel, the official state grape of California, and its origins in Napa Valley. From this traditional farming region, we discuss old vines averaging 50 years old and celebrate the revered vineyards. Taste the history with us: 2022 Black Chicken, Napa Valley; 2022 Dickerson Vineyard, St Helena, Napa Valley; 2022 Morisoli Vineyard, Rutherford, Napa Valley

Join us for more #Zinning moments at ZAP in SF Jan 25-27!


LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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

THE VARIETAL SHOW Stops By Stoller Family Estate

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The epic Oregon road trip continues for THE VARIETAL SHOW, with a visit to Stoller Family Estate: Introducing my good friends, Winemaker Melissa Burr and Vineyard Manager, Jason Tosch. We discuss the amazing Willamette Valley, which just finished celebrating 40 years as an AVA. Digging deep into soil and clones, we taste three amazing samples of their work: 2021 Stoller Reserve Chardonnay, 2019 Legacy Nancy’s Pinot Noir & 2020 History Colombia Valley Red Blend.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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Competition, Event, Food, Judging, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

AFWC’s “One Thousand Bottles” -January 14th!

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Join me and the judging team of American Fine Wine Competition in Miami at the 17th Annual AFWC “ONE THOUSAND BOTTLES” event – to taste over 700 exceptional wines from small, boutique, family-run wineries across the US, including California, Ohio, Washington, New York, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, and Oregon, while enjoying incredible food from local restaurants!

  • Meet award-winning winemakers pouring their wines
  • Win fabulous wine baskets at the raffle
  • Bid on exclusive private wine tasting experiences
  • Get 1000 Bottles TICKETS while they last!


Sunday, January 14th, from 6:30-9:00 PM FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management,
3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181

All proceeds benefit the Joel Feigenheimer Endowment Fund, supporting scholarships in the hospitality industry and End Childhood Hunger.

Special thanks to our incredible partners: Smart Source Marketing, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU, Two Men & a Truck, Advanced Roofing, VENU Magazine, City & Shore Magazine, South Florida Business Journal, FPL, Coravin, RC Music Group, Chef & Sommelier, Rod Coleman, Esq. & Associates, Preiser Key, Cheney Brothers, Restaurant Placement Group, A Flair For Fudge, The CrepeMaker, Island Fusion, Fogo de Chao Miami Beach, Royal India, and Cristina’s Family Bakery.

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

Holiday Wishes From Elk Cove Vineyards On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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HO HO Hope Santa Somm filled your stockings with good wines! THE VARIETAL SHOW discusses the wine wonders of Oregon’s Willamette Valley with Adam Campbell of Elk Cove Vineyards, including the French connection, clones, estate vineyards & IPNC. Join us to taste the 2022 Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley; 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley; and 2021 Pinot Noir, Five Mountains, Laurelwood District.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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