Category Archives: Sommelier

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

Event, Sommelier, Varietal

Enjoy Oodles of Petite Sirah on Sunday, March 18th!

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P.S. I Love You!

Yes, YOU, but also Petite Sirah!  Next weekend on Sunday March 18th get ready for the P. S. I Love You event put on by the Petite Sirah Advocacy Organization at the Culinary Institute of America’s COPIA campus in Napa.

The Petite Masters class that I will be leading is already sold out and the tickets to the public tasting that will follow are moving fast. So get yours TICKETS asap!

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Art, Film, Sommelier

Pill Head: The Official Trailer!

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For those not in the know (yet), here is a trailer for the much anticipated artsploitation film by my friends Daedalus Howell and Karen Hess.  Read more about the project at the Pill Head: The Website.  Set for an early-fall release date!  Be sure to catch the suave fellow who portrays The Sommelier.  Keep posted here or at the Pill Head Facebook Page.

#pillheadmovie #artfilm #indiefilm

Event, Sommelier, Wine

Zinfandel Experience begins in SF, Thursday January 18th!

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While the trade portion gets going earlier in the week, you can still get the Zinfandel Experience with tickets to a few events that are not already sold out!

Flights: January 19, 10:30-1pm
Moderated by Joel Peterson, winemaker of Ravenswood Winery.
Aimed at the true wine aficionado with a keen curiosity, this seated seminar-style tasting allows attendees to experience the true character of Zinfandel through the eyes of experts.

Grand Tasting: January 20, 11am-5pm
The weekend’s main event is the Grand Tasting, where you will meet the winemakers at the most comprehensive showing of Zinfandels and blends in the world and experience a selection of sumptuous culinary samples from restaurants and winery chefs.

Winemaker Auction & Dinner: January 19
Unfortunately this event is already SOLD OUT.  However, if you happen to be a lucky ticket holder be sure to look for my special Auction Package #20 and bid high! The live and silent auctions will showcase one-of-a-kind lots, rare bottles, and winery experiences with proceeds benefitting ZAP’s programming.