Get your warm beverage, set at the desk and prepare to peruse the Sonoma County list of categories! I am hoping to retain my incumbency for the fifth year: I humbly request your vote. Please fill in the following, then join me at the Gravenstein Grill some night to toast our win!
Best Sommelier Christopher Sawyer
Best New Restaurant Gravenstein Grill
It is time for the Vampyre Sommelier to make his seasonal appearance! He has been keeping busy this year, with a jaunt in Pill Head, an upcoming Artsploitation film with some of the same folks. Scroll down to see the V.S. in action!
The Vampyre Sommelier’s Dilemma from Raymond Scott Daigle on Vimeo.
This is an amazing opportunity, not only to view The Duel of Wine, an Internationally recognized film, but also to join me with the star, Charlie Arturaola, world-famous sommelier for the tasting and screening. Check out the film preview below!
Both events take place on Saturday September 23rd, at Quarryhill Botanical Garden in Glen Ellen, a gorgeous setting to enjoy fine wines.
The Tasting Seminar begins at 2pm with Charlie, myself and Michael Traverso, a representative of the Italian Estates of Wilson Daniels. Film screening of The Duel of Wine begins at 7:45, Italian wines will be available for purchase as well as the evening menu, Chicken Cacciatore and Baked Penne with Roasted Vegetables. (Please no outside wine or food.)
Seminar tickets are $75 per seat; Film admission is $20; both can be purchased through Wine Country Film Festival or contact wcfilmfest@aol.com.
Join me at Gravenstein Grill this coming Thursday August 24th, 5-6:30pm, for an outdoor wine tasting on the Bartlett Bar Patio for “Drink This! The Passion of Pinot” wine tasting event. Call to reserve your spot 707-634-6142 ($10/person)
Participating Wineries:
Bacigalupi Vineyards
Balletto Vineyards & Winery
Friedeman Wines
Davis Bynum Winery
Radio Coteau Winery
Halleck Vineyard
Joseph Jewell Wines
Join us for this spectacular Zinfandel paired meal by myself and Executive Chef Bob Simontacchi at Gravenstein Grill in Sebastopol, Thursday, August 10th, at 6:30! To make reservations phone: (707) 634-6142 or email: brandon@gravensteingrill.com
Bing Cherry Salad
Local Pepper Cress, Fresh Shaved Corn, Torpedo Onion, Rice Wine Vinaigrette
ACORN 2012 Medley, Alegria Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Walnut Keep Pork Sugo
Local Pork Shoulder Slowly Braised with Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, & Fennel over Crisped Yukon Gold Potato & Chive Gnocchi
Hartford Family 2015 Zinfandel, Russian River Valley
“BBQ” Duck Confit
Cured Duck Legs Pulled & Tossed in Honey-Bourbon BBQ Sauce over
Creamy White Cheddar & Scallion Polenta
Gordian Knot 2014 Old Vine Zinfandel, Winberrie Vineyard, Russian River Valley
Applewood Smoked Short Rib
Sugar & Salt Crusted Short Rib slow smoked, served with Heirloom Peppers in Creamed Corn with Crispy Shallots
Gamba 2014 Zinfandel, Family Ranches, Russian River Valley
Stone Fruit Galette
Organic Local Stone Fruit, Sweetened Whipped Mascarpone with Vanilla Bean
Gravenstein Grill, 8050 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, California 95472
(707) 634-6142
Sorry about the scheduling confusion! We have set the new date for this dinner as Thursday August 10th. It will feature fabulous zinfandels from ACORN Winery, Hartford Court Family Winery, Gamba Vineyards & Winery and more! I will be there again as your happy Sommelier Chris Sawyer. Stay tuned for the menu details at the Gravenstein Grill Facebook page and call 707-634-6142 to make your reservations! See you there! ~Christopher
Gravenstein Grill is located at
8050 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472
More appreciation goes out to those that made this event work for me and the wineries involved. Cannot overlook the amazing food, Sommelier experts Wayne and Nadia, plus my team of Deborah, Teale, Simone and even my son Rupert (who helped deliver ice & water at the Grand Tasting)! I could not have done it without them. Besides this view of the Sunday Brunch along the main street of Telluride, here are some more great pix to share from behind the scenes.
Left to Right: Selfie with my Somms, Wayne Belding & Nadia Pavlevska; A delicious salad from the Precious Bites picnic; Busy chefs prepare a gourmet meal
Clockwise: A cake by Fig & Bloom at the Grand Tasting; The gondola view from above Telluride; Special course from guest star chef Dean Max at The Calling dinner; With my team, Deborah and Teale, surrounded by oodles of wine talent!
Clockwise: Telluride main street; Delectible snacks at the Grand Tasting; The crowds gather around the Sommelier Selection table at the Grand Tasting
Wines are arriving, travel plans stirring, stomachs rumbling for the big event next week! If you are not coming be sure to follow the adventures on social media, but virtual is nothing like the reality of those gorgeous mountains, delicious wines and elegant meals. Hope you will all be joining me there!
Cheers! Christopher
Join me for our inaugural wine dinner at Gravenstein Grill featuring Balletto Vineyards & Winery. I am hosting the event with winemaker Anthony Beckman, pairing Balleto wines with an incredible menu by Bob Simontacchi, sure to entice and delight any palate!
Seating is limited so call 707-634-6142 or email brandon@gravensteingrill.com now, to guarantee your spot!
It just must be the season for those lighter spring delights to make an appearance! June seems to be blooming with delicious Rosé opportunities to please the palate.
Thursday, June 1
FREE Rosé Tasting at Gravenstein Grill
Join ME for a fun and educational Rosé tasting on the Gravenstein Grill patio in Sebastopol (8050 Bodega Ave). No reservations required, but show up early to guarantee a spot!
Saturday, June 17
Rosé Today Presents: A Country Garden Party
Jaxon Keys Winery & Distillery will host pourings on the grand tasting court & in the meadows, talks from industry leaders, gourmet food pairings by the Culinary Institute of America, pétanque, badminton, dancing, and merriment!
