Category Archives: Tasting

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!

Charity, Tasting, Wine

PinotFest in SF! Saturday November 18th

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The action happens at the Farallon in San Francisco with an amazing list of participating wineries and North Bay Fire Relief raffle of Magnums.  Be sure to get your tickets to the 19th Annual PinotFest!

I’m not kidding about these wineries! Alma Rosa, Au Bon Climat, Big Table Farm, Bonaccorsi, Byron, Calera, Charles Heintz, Chehalem, Cobb, Costa de Oro, Cristom, Domaine Drouhin, En Route, Ernest, Etude, Failla, Fiddlehead, Flowers, Foxen, Freeman, Gary Farrell, Gloria Ferrer, Handley, Hartford Court, Hitching Post, Joseph Phelps, Keller Estate, Kendric, Kosta Browne, LaRue, Littorai, Lutum, Marimar Estate, Melville, Merry Edwards, Morgan, Nicolas Jay, Paul Hobbs, Paul Lato, Peay, Radio Coteau, Saintsbury, Siduri, Sinor LaVallee, Soter, Talisman, Talley, Testarossa, Tendril, Thomas Fogarty, Twomey, Wayfarer, Whitcraft, WillaKenzie, Williams Selyem

Then there is the Pinot Noir Pop Up – Focus New Zealand: Lime Rock, Escarpment, Ata Rangi, Neudorf, Huia, Greywacke, Villa Maria, Giesen, Mt. Beautiful, Pegasus Bay, Amisfield, Loveblock, Mt. Difficulty, Felton Road, Burn Cottage, Ostler

#PinotFest2017 #PinotFestSF #WineCountryStrong

Event, Food, Judging, Tasting, Wine

Harvest Fair: The Judgement in Santa Rosa!

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Fresh off the Harvest Fair judging this week, an amazing day of twenty different varieties in multiple forms that showcase the diversity of what Sonoma County has to offer; White wines from Albariño, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Muscat; Red wines from Old Vine Zinfandel, Tannat, Syrah, Grenache and individual bottles of Alicante Bousche. An amazing experience and team effort by the 21 judges present!

Check for our results in today’s Press Democrat (September 24th) and get your Harvest Fair tickets to try all the winning wine and food on October 6-8 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

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Tasting, Travels, Wine

Free Passes! Experience The Big Crush, October 7-8 Weekend

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Amador County is calling you! Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Big Crush and enjoy the fall harvest. There will be more than 40 wineries open with scrumptious food pairings and live entertainment, all in the beauty of the Sierra Nevada Foothills.  First person to email wine@sawyersomm.com gets 2 FREE tickets! 

We last attended in 2015 and made stops by Turley Wine Cellars, Terra D’Oro, Andis Wines, Dobra Zemlja Winery, Terre Rouge/Easton Wines and Vino Noceto. This time maybe you can try a few others and let me know what you think!

The Big Crush takes place October 7th and 8th, from 11am to 4pm.  Each ticket is good for both days, includes wine glass and map, to be picked up at the Amador Vintners’ Visitor Center located in Plymouth, CA.

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Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Pinot Tasting, Thurs August 24 at Gravenstein Grill!

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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