Category Archives: Virtual

Masters of Merlot: Duckhorn Vineyards & Cuvaison, October 28th

Join me in celebration of International Merlot Month as I host a very special virtual tasting with two of America’s most acclaimed MERLOT winemakers, Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards and Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison. Together, we’ll explore how these two iconic wineries helped to establish Napa Valley Merlot as one of America’s greatest wines, and how they are leading the way in showcasing the beauty and sophistication of Merlot in the modern era.

Click Here To Register
ZOOM Webinar – Wednesday October 28 at 5pm

Top: Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison
Above: Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards
Top: Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison
Above: Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards

As we taste through sought-after wines from both wineries, Renée and Roggy will discuss what makes great Napa Valley Merlot so extraordinary, how beautifully it pairs with food, and how the film Sideways was actually good for Merlot. Whether you’re a Merlot fanatic, or are just discovering how approachable, age-worthy, and simply delicious Merlot is, this is a tasting you do not want to miss!

We will sample wines from the famed vine rows of Duckhorn’s Three Palms Vineyard in Calistoga, which was the source for Wine Spectator’s 2017 “Wine of the Year,” to Cuvaison’s legendary estate in the cooler Los Carneros region of Napa—which has unique parallels to the Merlot heartland of Bordeaux’s Right Bank—to learn about the terroirs where Merlot achieves its finest expressions. JOIN US!

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard
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2017 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot

A Petrified Forest Experience On The Varietal Show

The Varietal Show sits down with Ken & Susan Piters at Petrified Forest Vineyard to explore the wonderful wines at Totem Ridge Vineyards, in Knights Valley. For even more about this stunning sipper check out these other posts TAKE A LITTLE SOJOURN TO PETRIFIED FOREST VINEYARDS WITH THE VARIETAL SHOW and TRY SOME STELLAR WINES FOR YOUR INDEPENDENCE DAY!

Check it out here and remember to hit LIKESHARE, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

A Napa Valley Visit With Matthiasson Wines on The Varietal Show

Amidst the smoke I traveled over to Napa Valley for an
insightful conversation with well-respected farmer and winemaker Steve Matthiasson: The Varietal Show finds out more about working with unique grape varieties from Matthiasson Wines.

Check it out here and remember to hit LIKESHARE, and FOLLOW my You Tube channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

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CAB Time with Allen Wines on the Varietal Show!

Watch Sal and I dive into some fabulous Cabs, with
Knights Link & Stanford Oakville Cabernet Sauvignons: Delicious drinks from Allen Wines on The Varietal Show!

Watch my previous episode with Sal Rehman of Allen Wines to learn about their Pinot Noir & Chardonnay! Don’t miss the conversations and remember to hit LIKESHARE the love, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

The Wine Competition Virtual Discussion – Watch it HERE!

Lucky for you our virtual meetup was recorded and can be shared after the fact! In preparation for the Central Coast Wine Competition on October 12-14, listen in this illuminating discussion with Tim McDonald, Jeff Kralik, Sarah Tracey and myself, via the Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance!

Cool ass AVA map of Paso Robles!

How to Build Your Own Personal Wine Cellar on Sept 17th

I am participating in another amazing Chappellet Webinar on
Thursday Tastings with Cyril, coming up on September 17th at 4:30pm PST.

REGISTER HERE to join our enlightening discussion about how to create a wine cellar, the importance of variety, cellaring and aging wine, and cellar management tips. They’ll also share how they built their own personal collection throughout the years. Cheers! Christopher

Cyril Chappellet toasting with wine bottles
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Set the Dial To Chappellet: Watch Our Webinar Here!

Did you miss the epic Chappellet Webinar with me and Dominic last week? Well you are in luck because it is now posted here on The Sommelier Files. Scroll below to watch, and be sure to click Subscribe on the Chappellet Winery channel so you won’t miss any future installments. Speaking of which, mark your calendar for my next guest appearance on September 17th with tips about making a wine cellar!

While you are at You Tube, hop on over to my channel to Subscribe for my weekly Tuesday episode of The Varietal Show. Double Win + Wine! Cheers, Christopher

Chappellet Grower Collection Fedrick Ranch Pinot Noir
Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
Chappellet Grower Collection Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay

Music & Wine: Virtual Benefit Concert Sept 9th!

Local winery Three Sticks in partnership with Arrington Vineyards of Tennessee to bring you this Virtual Benefit Concert Experience: For Musicians by Musicians on Sept 9th, 5:30 PST. Hosted by Bill Price, Laurence Hobgood, and Kix Brooks of Brooks and Dunn, this free concert will be an evening of dancing, philanthropy, and of course wine that is not to be missed! REGISTER HERE!

EXTRA BONUS: The Arrington Vineyard KB 11*17 bottles, especially autographed for this event, are on sale now as well as Three Stick’s concert pack. Proceeds benefit Sweet Relief’s COVID-19 Fund to help musicians in need.

Extra-Extra Bonus? Watch CellarPass TV with Arrington Vineyards which aired in April, featuring Sawyer Somm. Stay tuned for more episodes coming this fall, ENJOY!

Chappellet Wine & Food Pairing WEBINAR: August 27th

Join ME and Dominic Chappellet for a Wine & Food Pairing educational event Wine & Food Pairing with Sommelier Christopher Sawyer.
Thursday, August 27 at 5pm PST

We will guide you through the fundamentals of wine and food pairings and the key characteristics of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, and principles behind pairing them. Plus, why certain combinations work and some don’t, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to develop successful food and wine pairings on your own. Get Registered HERE!

Cheers! Christopher

Chappellet Grower Collection Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay
Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvignon
Chappellet Grower Collection Fedrick Ranch Pinot Noir
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