Come get poetic with me and some friends at the Flight of Poets event, this Sunday May 22. It will be from 2-4:30pm at Gundlach Bundschu Winery in Sonoma, 2000 Denmark Street in Sonoma.
Poets Hollie Hardy, Ada Limon, Dean Rader, and Tess Taylor will share their work along with a complementing wine flight of four tastes prepared by myself.
$20 entry fee (includes flight), Presale tickets HERE! Must be 21+. This is a KQED Lit Pick for the month of May, not to be missed.
I am getting ready for another trip to the lovely Central Coast. This time for The Chardonnay Symposium, May 12 through 14, in the coastal resort towns of Pismo Beach and Avila Beach.
I will be moderating the seminar Taste the Difference: Exploring California’s Distinct Chardonnay Regions on Saturday (10am to 11:30am) at Edna Valley Vineyard, where I will talk about how climate, soil and elevation influence each of these five world-class regions and how to determine the origin by simply nosing and tasting the wine.
However there will be a fabulous selection of events and locations to attend starting on Thursday, here is the list, with more details on each HERE:
Thursday
Vintners Wine Tech Symposium (9:00am–4:00pm)
Sommelier Chardonnay Challenge (10:00am–3:00pm)
Friday
French Forum: Exploring The Wonders of French Chardonnay-lunch included (11:00am–1:30pm)
Wente Clone Comparative Tasting (2:00pm–3:30pm)
Pét-Nat, Sparkling Wine & Oysters Gala (4:00pm–6:00pm)
La Paulée Dinner and Vintners Awards Ceremony (7:00pm–10:00pm)
Saturday
Hone Your Chardonnay Blind-Tasting Skills (10:30am-12:30pm)
What’s Oak Got To Do With It? (11:00am–12:30pm)
Pairing Chardonnay & Artisanal Cheese (11:30am–1:00pm)
Saturday Grand Tasting (1:00pm–5:00pm)
Winemaker Dinners (7:00pm–9:00pm)
Hope you are able to join me for this exciting event!
Cheers, Christopher
To celebrate the SoCo Barrel Auction, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers and Arista Winery in Healdsburg will be hosting THE ULTIMATE WINEMAKER DINNER on April 30th.
The Annual Paulée Dinner is timed to coincide with the Sonoma County Barrel Auction. In the spirit of the Paulée tradition, which originated in Burgundy, the Russian River Valley Paulée brings winemakers and collectors together to enjoy an elegant multi-course meal paired with rare and favorite wines from winemakers’s & guests’ personal cellars, in a family style seating which fosters the spirit of community and an ideal format for the shared love of great wine.
Savor specialties from Russian River Valley chefs:
Tim Kaulfers of Arista Winery, Duskie Estes of ZAZU kitchen & farm, Dustin Valette of Valette Restaurant and Cheyenne Simpkins of Wine Country Feasts.
Enjoy the Wines of Arista Winery, Bacigalupi Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Benovia Winery, Davis Bynum, Davis Family Vineyards, Dutton-Goldfield, Gary Farrell, Gordian Knot, J Vineyards & Winery, Joseph Swan, MacPhail Family Wines, MacRostie Winery & Vineyards, Martinelli Winery, Migration, Ramey Wine Cellars, Sonoma-Cutrer & Viszlay Vineyards.
Time to start planning that summer trip! Join me at the 35th Annual Telluride Wine Festival, June 23-26. I will be organizing and hosting some of the seminars that you can attend! There will be many other events to enjoy as well.
Meanwhile check out the site for details,
updates coming soon!
Cheers! Christopher
Too late to buy tickets online, but sales at the door are worth the trip to Hospice du Rhône in Paso Robles, CA! Be sure to check the website for more information. And play “Where’s Chris?” you can find me roaming about.
Hospice du Rhône is located on the Central Coast of California, operates to improve the business conditions of the grape growers and wine producers of Rhône variety wines and grapes throughout the world.
I will be moderating the fabulous Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting yet again this year in San Francisco on Thursday April 21! The event is from 5–7pm at The Presidio Golden Gate Club, on 135 Fisher Loop, SF.
Twenty Mt. Veeder wines will be featured with gourmet small bites from Presidio Foods Catering and assorted artisan cheeses, charcuterie, crackers and breads. Don’t miss out…it’s the only time of the year you can TASTE and PURCHASE Mt. Veeder wines ON SITE…most of which are not open to the public.
Purchase tickets HERE, visit MtVeederWines.com
or call 707-266-1296.
Cheers! Christopher
A Festival of Spring at this amazing House of Bubbly, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, on Saturday from 12-4pm!
Bubbles & Blooms brings professionals from Flower Magazine to teach creative floral arranging, displays, wreaths, and more! See colorful flower art installations perfect for special occasions.
Peruse the on-site garden market for plants and fresh arrangements to get you started enhancing your home. Test your luck winning raffle prizes ranging from floral arrangements to garden equipment!
See you there! Christopher
We just visited the amazing Western Railway Museum, located along the Highway 12 corridor, for a family train ride and exploration of some historic rail cars. Just wanted to share with you an opportunity to ride The Comet for wine tasting, appetizers and door prizes, on the next three Saturday’s in April 9, 16 & 23.
This fundraiser will benefit the museum, which is non-profit, and the Solano Midnight Sun Breast Cancer Foundation.
Secure your TICKETS, yesterday’s train apparently sold out!
If you cannot make this event, there are others to look for throughout the year. Or you can just swing over for a weekend family adventure instead!
Have a hankering for some robust Rhone inspired local wines? From aromatic white wines and elegant red blends, to bold and spicy vineyard designates, taste and discover why many talented winemakers in Napa Valley are working with grape varietals that were originally made famous in the Rhone Valley of France and other special regions around the globe at this amazing wine class and tasting!
Exploring the Rhone Zone
The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute
of America Greystone, St. Helena
Saturday, March 19 / 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Get your tickets!
Moderated by Esther Mobley, Wine Writer, San Francisco Chronicle and joined by an amazing panel; Carole Meredith, Proprietor/Co-Founder, Lagier Meredith Vineyard, David Miner, Proprietor, Miner Family Winery, Ashley Hepworth, Winemaker, Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Gillian Balance, Master Sommelier, Stags Leap Winery/Treasury Wine Estates and Jeff Cohn, Winemaker/Proprietor, Jeff Cohn Cellars.
Featured Wines!
Jeff Cohn Cellars 2013 Viognier, 2 Guys/2 Barrels, Stagecoach Vineyard, Atlas Peak
Joseph Phelps 2012 Syrah, Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard, Carneros
Lagier Meredith 2003 Syrah, Estate Grown, Mount Veeder
Miner Family 2011 Syrah, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley
Stags Leap 2012 Petite Sirah, Ne Cede Malis, Estate Grown, Stags Leap District
Yum! Christopher
This Saturday March 19th, join my class, High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside, covering the amazing wines of the Vaca Mountain range in Napa Valley, along with some of the wonderful women involved in their production!
Antica Napa Valley
Beringer
Cimarossa
Cliff Lede
Palmaz Vineyards
High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside will be held at The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute of America Greystone, St. Helena, from 10:00 – 11:30am. Get your tickets now!
Continue your Flavor! Napa Valley adventure on Saturday to the afternoon follow-up High Elevation Wines Part 2: Westside or Exploring the Rhone Zone, both at 3pm.
See you this weekend! Christopher
