Category Archives: Sommelier

Sommelier, Tasting, Wine

Rhone Wine Rendezvous Tasting at Gravenstein Grill: September 13th

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Before the Sonoma County harvest kicks into high gear, join me and an all-star line-up of local #Rhone-style wine producers at the Rhone Wines Rendezvous happening at Gravenstein Grill in Sebastopol on Thursday evening, September 13 from 6:00-8:00 pm.

Relax in the tranquil patio area for this very special walk-around tasting featuring the newest releases from many of the top producers of Rhone-style wines of Sonoma County. Sample lively aromatic white wines made with #Viognier, Grenache Blanc, #Roussanne, #Marsanne and #Picpoul Blanc; vibrant, elegant and spicy versions of complex red wines made with #Syrah, #Grenache, #Mourvedre. #Cinsault, #Carignane and Petit Sirah; zippy, tangy and taste-tempting offerings of sophisticated pink wines that finish dry instead of sweet; and flavorful appetizers prepared by Chef Bob Simontacchi.

In a nutshell, our local Rhone-style wines rock. So, let’s enjoy these fantastic flavor profiles at this amazing Rhone-style event on September 13th!

Participating wineries: Limerick Lane Cellars, Jeff Cohn Cellars, Davis Family Vineyards, Two Shepherds, Lasseter Family Winery, The Larsen Projekt, MacLaren Wine, Keller Estate, Dane Cellars, Montemaggiore, Eric Kent Wine Cellers, ACORN Winery, and many more!

There will also be a live performance by the wonderful Aly Rose Trio during the event.  Get your $25 ticket at EVENTBRITE!

Feast It Forward, Sommelier, Tasting

FIF Somm Sessions: Monthly Class Series Begins Sept 6th

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Doesn’t this venue look just smashing? This featured picture is from my first Quarterly Series (with detailed schedule coming soon):  Yet you can join me at this amazing Feast It Forward setting sooner, and as promised, here is the list of the Monthly Somm Sessions  in Napa through the end of 2018: They will always be on the First Thursdays of the month from 5:30-7pm.

First up, join me and some amazing wines on Thursday September 6th, 5:30-7pm, for The Rosé Revolution & Aromatic Wine Picks for Autumn 2018! GET TICKETS NOW

At “Somm Sessions; The Rose Revolution & Aromatic White Picks for Autumn 2018” on September 6, try this classy Pinot Grigio, the newest release from Benessere Vineyards—one of the top producers of Italian varietals in the New World!
At “Somm Sessions; The Rose Revolution & Aromatic White Picks for Autumn 2018” on September 6, try this classy Pinot Grigio, the newest release from Benessere Vineyards—one of the top producers of Italian varietals in the New World!

Looking for some bright, fresh and expressive new wines to serve with appetizers, fresh soups, salads, gourmet dishes or to simply refresh the palate as the warm days of summer lead to the joyous months of harvest? Then join Feast It Forward Sommelier Chris Sawyer and special winery guests for this fun, interactive tasting focused on the wide range of dry, elegant and sophisticated styles of pink wines and aromatic white wines made with premium grapes from Napa Valley and beyond!

  • October 4th Exploring the Joys of Cabernet Sauvignon & Other Bordeaux Varietals
  • November 1st Messages in the Bottles — Unlocking the Mysteries Behind Crafting World-Class Pinot Noir and Elite Red Proprietary Blends
  • December 6th Holiday Wine Pairings with Films & Fine Cuisine

Mark your calendar!  Tickets available at FIF Events.
Cheers! Christopher

Smiles everyone, smiles! At the #SommSessions gathering on Thursday, September 6th, sample the tangy sensations of the intriguing white grape variety Verdelho made by winemaker Christine Barbe of Coquerel Wines (second from left) and the long, dry finish of the Rosé of Cinsault crafted by Onestra winemaker/proprietor Jillian Johnson Deleon (far right).
Smiles everyone, smiles! At the #SommSessions gathering on Thursday, September 6th, sample the tangy sensations of the intriguing white grape variety Verdelho made by winemaker Christine Barbe of Coquerel Wines (second from left) and the long, dry finish of the Rosé of Cinsault crafted by Onestra winemaker/proprietor Jillian Johnson Deleon (far right).
Feast It Forward, Sommelier, Tasting

My Somm Sessions getting started at FIF, August 18th!

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Feast It Forward is finally open at 1031 McKinstry Street in Napa, and with that my educational seminars can begin!  Starting with my quarterly Appellation Series on Saturday, August 18, 10-11:30am.  Reserve your space for $35, details below.

The Appellation Series: Tasting Two Sides of the Mayacamas Mountains with Aiken Wines of Napa Valley & B. Wise Vineyards of Sonoma Valley
The two sides of the Mayacamas Mountain Range come together in this one-of-a-kind exploration of high-class wines made with cherished grapes grown on the famed “Rutherford Dust” soils of Napa Valley and the rugged western-facing hillside of the Moon Mountain appellation overlooking Sonoma Valley. Taste and discover the complex profiles of these delicious gems with gifted winemaker Joel Aiken and other special guests. All this while relaxing in the comforts of The Studio by Feast it Forward in downtown Napa. Your $35 ticket to the Appellation Series includes a superb flight of six elite wines; discussion of each wine; food pairing tips; and much more!

I will post an extended schedule of monthy & quarterly offerings for the remainder of 2018 soon, so you can mark your calendars!
Cheers ~ Christopher

FEAST IT FORWARD!

Sommelier, Tasting, Wine

Rosés of Sonoma County at Gravenstein Grill! Thursday, July 19th

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Join me at the Gravenstein Grill for the evening of July 19, from 6-8pm, celebrating the incredible local Rosé wines of Sonoma County. We’ll have guest wineries pouring on our patio including Radio-Coteau Wine Cellars LLC, Kokomo Winery, Benovia Winery, Kobler Estate Winery, Friedeman Wines, Claypool Cellars, and more!

Accompanying the incredible wines will be seasonal passed appetizers by Chef Bob Simontacchi featuring the great summertime local produce of West Sonoma.

There will also be a performance by the incredibly talented Sebastopol band the Aly Rose Trio. Don’t miss out on this event, one of Gravenstein Grill’s Summer Wine Series!

GET YOUR TICKETS!

Festivals, Sommelier, Travels, Wine

My Sip-elicious Seminars at Telluride Wine Festival!

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Summer sipping opportunities abound at the Telluride Wine Festival, June 28-July 1! I am returning for my third year as Wine Director and invite you to attend my finely crafted seminars with exquisite winery guests! Peruse the seminar list and wineries below if you need further convincing. Tickets available HERE & hope to see you there ~ Cheers! Christopher

Seminars

The Ultimate Six-Pack!

Appellation Celebration: The Exploration Tour of the West Coast AVA’s turning 35!

Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & A True Sense of Place

Extreme Reds: Cult Wines with Class and Charm

The Rebirth of Cool:  Riesling and other Aromatic White Gems

The Duel of Wine Seminar & Film Screening ~ Featuring Star Sommelier Charlie Arturaola

In China with my buddy and Somm star Charlie from the film Duel of Wine!
In China with my buddy and Somm star Charlie from the film Duel of Wine!

Wineries

Alpha Omega ~ Brooks Wine ~ Chalk Hill ~ Cline Cellars ~ Fiddlehead Cellars ~ Flanagan Wines ~ Foley Estates ~ Laurel Glen Vineyard ~ Michael David Winery ~ Montemaggiore ~ Peay Vineyards ~ Pellet Estate ~ Perinet Winery ~ RR Winery ~ Tamber Bey ~ The Calling ~ Tolosa Winery ~ Y. Rousseau Wines ~ And more . . .

Judging, Sommelier, Wine

Experience the North Coast Wine Challenge 2018!

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Last week I spent a few days in the midst of Northern California’s best wines.  Results have been posted and this article in the Press Democrat talks about the selection.  I have shared some pictures and the list below, however there is a much more thorough list of Gold Medal Winners in the D-section of Wednesday’s PD print version.  Peruse, pontificate and plan to attend the North Coast Wine & Food Festival on June 9, to try out these fabulous wines!

North Coast Wine Challenge Winners

Best of the Best: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hills Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Best of Show Red: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hills Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Best of Sonoma County: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hills Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast

Best of Show White: J. Rickards Winery 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Croft Vineyard Alexander Valley

Best of Show Rose: Rodney Strong Vineyards 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Best of Show Sparkling: Domaine Carneros 2013 Brut

Best of Show Dessert Wine: Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards 2015 Late Harvest Chardonnay

Best of Lake County: Cache Creek Vineyards 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County

Best of Marin County: DeLoach Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir Marin County

Best of Mendocino: Soda Rock 2016 Chardonnay Mendocino

Best of Napa County: Mudita 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Circle S Ranch Atlas Peak Napa

Best of Sonoma County: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hill Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast

SAVE THE DATE! June 9th

#PDNCWC

Event, Sommelier, Wine

Celebrate Signature Sonoma Valley on April 6-8

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Signature Sonoma Valley is like no other wine event, an intimate and exclusive deep dive into the wines, terroir and people of Sonoma Valley’s historic wine region. Experience the vineyards and cellars of some of California’s most iconic winemakers, cutting-edge innovators and multi-generational winegrowers.

Want to taste a Hanzell 1977 Pinot Noir or other stunning wines from brilliant cellars? Then join me, Steve Sangiacomo and Don Sebastiani (pictured at right), plus MS Bob Bath, more star somms, and a fabulous cast of winemaking icons at the #LegendsDinner at #SignatureSonomaValley, April 7!

Event TICKETS are available to reserve individually or through the VIP weekend package. Special hotel packages and luxury transportation available on the website. Space is extremely limited – reserve now!

Sommelier, Travels, Wine

Wineries Register now for Telluride Wine Festival!

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Ever dream of the  high-altitude splendors in summertime?  Bring your wines to share and enjoy the spectacular scenes of Telluride, Colorado!  This marks my third year as Wine Director and I look forward to the many festive events including my educational seminars, wine pairing meals, The Grand Tasting and more!

If you are interested in joining us June 28-July 1, then please contact wine@sawyersomm.com to inquire about options that might suit you! 

Wineries can sign-up online at this site: Telluride Wine Festival 2018 Registration

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Food, Holidays, Sommelier

Delicious Easter Brunch at Gravenstein Grill!

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You know where I will be!  Enjoy a little bubbly from MY WINE LIST to pair with the amazing menu by Chef Bob Simontacchi.  Make your reservations by calling (707) 634-6142. (Then walk it off with a refreshing visit to Ragle Ranch, just down the road.)

Follow this LINK to view the special Easter Brunch menu!

Gravenstein Grill
8050 Bodega Ave
Sebastopol, California 95472