Category Archives: Travels

Appellation, news, Travels, Wine

The Return of Lake County!

Leave a comment

lakecoAfter the devastating Valley Fire last autumn local organizations and citizens have been collaborating in  a multitude of ways to help support the recovery and redevelopment of Lake County.  It seems the efforts are making a difference, particularly in regards to their wine industry, with events in addition to ample tourism.

Read this recent Press Democrat article by Bill Swindell to find out more and perhaps think about ways we can continue supporting our neighborto the North:

Lake County Wine Industry is Ready for Takeoff!

Event, Farm, Travels, Video

May Tours at Redwood Hill Farm in Sebastopol

Leave a comment

Care to frolic with goats?  Well here is your chance!  For two weekends in May, Redwood Hill Farm offers farm tours which of goatscourse means playing with baby goats, learning to milk a goat, or feeding and brushing the goats! There will be milking parlor demonstrations, lots of kids’ activities and of course  picnicking in the beautiful Gravenstein Apple orchard.  But will there be wine you ask?  Not sure, that depends on how you load your picnic . . .

Redwood Hill Farm tour dates are May 8 and May 21 & 22, 11 am – 3 Redwood-Hill-Logo-Website-2016pm.  Rain cancels so be sure to check the website beforehand, then plan your trek over to 5480 Thomas Road in Sebastopol.  Until then check out this interview by Daedalus Howell with the goat cheese man himself, David Bice!

Event, Tasting, Travels, Uncategorized, Wine

International Chardonnay Symposium on May 12-14

Leave a comment

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

 

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Hospice du Rhône is almost here! April 14-16

Leave a comment

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.

hdr16bHospice 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.

Charity, Food, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Vintage Comet Wine Tasting Train: Only in April!

Leave a comment

western-railway-museum-logoWe 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!

A stop along our train trip at the Western Railway Museum.
A stop along our train trip at the Western Railway Museum.
Appellation, Event, Travels, Wine

Meet Some Young Wine Stars of Napa Valley! Sat, March 19th

Leave a comment

Flavor! Napa Valley is happening now!  Just another awesome learning opportunity for your curious palate:

Forward Thinking, the Young Stars of Napa Valley
The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute of
America Greystone, St. Helena
Saturday, March 19 / 10:00pm – 11:30pm
Get your tickets!

Meet the next generation of talented winemakers in Napa Valley.
Find out the new wine trends they are applying to their family vineyards, discover the intriguing grape varietals they are working with, and taste the signature styles of wines which set them apart from the rest!  Moderated by Ian White, Wine Director for San Francisco Magazine/Modern Luxury.

Your stellar list of young panelists includes:
Alan Viader, Viader Vineyards & Winery
Alycia Mondavi, Aloft Wine
Judd Finkelstein, Judd’s Hill
Alex Llamas, Llamas Family Winery
Joe Harden, Robert Mondavi Winery
Patrick Foley, Foley Johnson Winery

smallflavorAlso, today is the LAST DAY to get tickets for these fabulous Friday classes:
Pinot Paradise
Aromatic White Wines for Spring
The Preservation Society

Cheers! Christopher

Appellation, Event, Travels, Wine

Learn about High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside with me!

Leave a comment
Mia Klein & Tina Mitchell - the two talented women winemakers at Palmaz Vineyards - will be joined by Remi Cohn of Cliff Lede Vineyards master somm Gillian Ballance of TWE Global as part will be in attendance!
Mia Klein & Tina Mitchell – the two talented women winemakers at Palmaz Vineyards – will be joined by Remi Cohn of Cliff Lede Vineyards master somm Gillian Ballance of TWE Global as part will be in attendance!

International Women’s Day couldn’t be better with this star line up of talented females in the wine industry!  I will be moderating this exciting panel for the upcoming Flavor! Napa Valley.

High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside
The Rudd Center at
The Culinary Institute of America Greystone, St. Helena
Saturday, March 19 / 10:00 – 11:30am
Get your tickets!

This will  be a detailed exploration of complex wines made with grapes grown on high elevation sites in the rugged eastern hills of the Napa Valley. We will be joined by Remi Cohen, President, Poetry Wines/Cliff Lede Vineyards: Stags Leap District,  Glenn Salva, Antica Napa Valley, Atlas Peak,  Gillian Balance, Beringer/Treasury Wine Estates, Howell Mountain, Tina Mitchell, Palmaz Vineyards, Coombsville  and Mia Klein, Cimarosso, Howell Mountain.

smallflavor
Hope you can join us!
Christopher

 

Appellation, Event, Travels, Wine

Me & Traci talking bubbles at Flavor! Napa Valley

Leave a comment

Another delicious Flavor! Napa Valley opportunity to join co-moderator Traci Dutton, Manager, Public Wine and Beverage Studies, The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, and myself for this fabulous panel!

Bubbly Sensations: Exploring the Top
Sparkling Wines of Napa Valley
The Meritage Resort and Spa
875 Bordeaux Way Napa, CA 94558
Sunday, March 20 / 9:30am – 11:00am
Get your tickets!

Start your Sunday off in style by tasting through the top sparkling wines of Napa Valley with us.  Find out where the grapes are grown and how the winemakers create levels of flavor and complexity that make their sparkling gems so special.

Bubbles and knowledge in every sip!  With extra special guests Eileen Crane, Winemaker at Domaine Carneros, Tom Tiburzi, Winemaker, for Domaine Chandon,  Ludovic Dervin, Winemaker at Mumm Napa  and Hugh Davies, Proprietor of Schramsberg Vineyards.

Pop on over!
Christopher
smallflavor