I was fortunate to meet radio host Mike The Wine Guy host of In Search of the Good Life, at the Grand Opening of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University. In such, I was able to hop on for a fun 10 minute interview with him!
Here is the link (scroll to bottom of his page) to listen in on that show if you have a little down time: Christopher Sawyer Of SawyerSomm
Cheers! Christopher
Plan your next trip to Napa for my fun and educational Somm Session featuring Rocca Family Vineyards, Terra Valentine and Oberon Wines.
This intimate monthly seminar, Exploring the joys of Cabernet Sauvignon & other Bordeaux Varietals, will introduce you to high-end pure Napa Valley Cabs; smooth textured and graceful Merlot; and spicy profiles of a limited-release Cabernet Franc straight from the mountains, in addition to featured winemakers.
Get a little zapped at Zinfandel: Stories From Napa Valley with my Napa Valley Appellations Seminar and walk-around reception. Plan for CIA at Copia on Saturday, September 22nd, but if you cannot attend enjoy my zinfandel FOG DOG video instead!
I know the details for my FIF Somm Sessions have been just trickling out as we start each series, so here is the lowdown on my Quarterly Classes (each 3rd Saturday of the month from 10-11:30am), as well as some more ticket links, and a dedicated schedule page for your reference! Whew, big breath after getting all that out. Please proceed as the information unfolds below.
Vintners, Vintages & Varietals Series:
Sept 15– GIBBS Napa Valley & COHO Wines
Dec 15– Michael Mondavi and Oberon Wines
Trending Now! Series:
Oct 20– The Rebirth of the Hip Red Grape Varietals
January Date TBA
Appellation Series:
Aug 18 (past)–Tasting Two Sides of the Mayacamas Mountains with Aiken Wines of Napa Valley & B. Wise Vineyards of Sonoma Valley
Nov 10– Celebrating the 35-year Anniversaries of the Carneros, Russian River Valley and Paso Robles AVAs
This additionally includes my Monthly Somm Sessions on First Thursdays, 5:30-7pm! Ticket links will be there as they come available. Contact me at wine@sawyersomm.com if you need any assistance!
Cheers! Hope you are able join me at Feast It Forward.
1031 McKinstry Street, Napa, CA 94559
707-819-2403 info@feastitforward.com
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!
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
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!
Mark your calendar! Tickets available at FIF Events.
Cheers! Christopher
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!
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!
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
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
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 . . .
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
#PDNCWC
