The 2021Chardonnay Classic, from May 20-22, 2021 will reunite wine enthusiasts’ minds and palates to celebrate the greatness of Chardonnay. One of the world’s most beloved, dynamic, and delicious grape varieties. This inaugural gathering will feature some of the finest domestic and international producers of Chardonnay and will take place at the Meritage and Vista Collina Resorts.
A weekend of indulgence curated by master sommeliers and acclaimed winemakers set in the beautiful Napa Valley. The program features iconic wine country experiences, gourmet lunches, luxury dinners and 22 unique tastings that culminate in a Grand Tasting of Chardonnay. Vintners, industry experts, and enthusiasts alike gather together to celebrate the incredible range of Chardonnay!
Purchase your full weekend ticket before 5/8 and save $300 with Early Bird pricing! Use promo code CHARD15 to claim the savings. To purchase your Chardonnay Classic ticket(s) click “TICKETS”.
With oodles of safety measures in place the Amador Vintners have organized a three day BCD experience! Your ticket will allow you to pre-select each personal time slot and winery of your preference. So check out the list of wineries, get your TICKETS, and lodging if necessary, to enjoy an intimate wine tasting weekend!
What better way to celebrate than with nature and family. In that vein this episode of The Varietal Show features my son and I on an outing in the Redwoods! Enjoy our adventure and many more on my YouTube Channel and more in this collection of The Varietal Show episodes!
Remember to hit LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOWmy channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!
Did you miss Zinfandel Day on Thursday November 19th? That’s OK, I have you covered here for an extended celebration with my recent article Preserving the Zinfandel Legacy of Mendocino County published on the ZAP Blog. (And mark your calendar for some social zintancing with ZinEx in January 2021!)
It was my pleasure to taste and muse about the fabulous flavors from a memorable visit up north: My Mendocino trek also involved a few conversations that are documented on The Varietal Show, from my YouTube channel; including Chef Mark Dym of Little River Inn; Steve Alden spinning the tale of Murder Ridge; and this extra little repost below from my visit with Lorenzo Pacini at the famous Pacini Vineyard! Enjoy and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting episodes to come . . .
Where’s Waldo? Find the visitor flying around in one of these three videos. Name that bird! #GoMendo
It is the final stretch, next weekend we depart toward our embarkment in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The Celebrity Edge, with Costco Travel, sets sail towards the Eastern Caribbean on Sunday December 15th into an amazing row of islands with three spectacular stops: Puerto Rico, Tortola and St. Maarten.
I will be hosting a Pinot Noir reception, two seminars and a specialized luncheon. For those fortunate enough to be joining me, or just PN curious, then take a gander at the delicious Pinot Noir selection and education to be gained on the journey!
Pinot in Paradise Reception: To start the cruise off in style, the opening night reception will allow me to meet the guests. I will greet them with wine and give a short overview of the Passion For Pinot Wine Cruise events taking place over the next few days. Featuring: Cline Cellars, Gloria Ferrer Vineyards, Olivet Lane & Rodney Strong!
Breathless Wines!
Pinot Noir Seminar #1: From Genus to Genius
On route to the Caribbean, I will cover the history of this noble grape in Burgundy and the Old World; the genetic offspring of the varietal (Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier); and the emergence of this beloved grape and delicious new styles of sophisticated wines that have become the calling cards for the cool-climate regions of Sonoma County and other special winegrowing regions on the West Coast over the past 50 years. Featuring: Bacigalupi Vineyards, Breathless Wines, Rodney Strong & Roessler Wine Cellars!
Pinot Noir Seminar #2: Going Coastal
This special seminar will focus on a special series of cool-climate appellations, the term terroir, and the unique styles of world-class Pinot Noirs being made in the top regions of Northern California. A rare opportunity to taste and discuss the unique characteristics of each of these wines and how they represent the wonderful growing conditions in every sip. Featuring: Davis Bynum Winery, Gloria Ferrer Vineyards, Thirty-Seven & Zina Hyde Cunningham Winery!
Scherrer Pinot Noir!
Pinot in Paradise Luncheon
This extravagant luncheon focuses on top producers, revered vineyard sites, delicious flavor profiles of wines, and the history of the Russian River Valley appellation in Sonoma County. I pair each wine with delicious dishes making the experience that much more memorable! Featuring: Balletto Vineyards, Davis Bynum & Scherrer Winery!
Embarking on my amazing Pinot adventure, try these wines at home to create your own! Cheers, Chris
Looking forward to the amazing views inTortola BVI; Bacigalupi & Rodney Strong are both featured in my Genus to Genius seminar!
Imagine this. Seven days of luxurious ocean travel with three special ports to explore along the way; San Juan in Puerto Rico, Totola in the British Virgin Islands and Philipsburg at St. Maarten. And wine! Aboard ship, I will be hosting special Costco member-only tastings, pairings and more, focused on Pinot Noir wines.
Then, at each of these scenic Eastern Caribbean ports, enjoy soft white beaches, clear blue waters and deep green landscapes; Historic Puerto Rico, with its imposing forts and rhythmic salsa; Nearby St. Maarten, sample cheese on the Dutch side and wine on the French side.
Join my family and I for this exciting adventure! Departing December 15 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
Returning December 22.
SEE TRAVEL INFORMATION HERE. . .
The Annual El Dorado Winery Association’s Passport Weekends includes two added adventures in taste, the Winemaker Galas! Each of the Galas take place on the Passport weekend’s preceding Friday evenings, April 5th and 12th at Mercedes-Benz of El Dorado Hills from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Experience the great wine and food from this region in an intimate setting: Guests will rub-shoulders with the winemakers themselves from C.G. Di Arie Vineyard & Winery, Mediterranean Vineyards, Bumgarner Winery, Fenton Herriott Vineyards and many more of the region’s winemakers will be on hand as well pouring specially selected, rare and reserve wines from their cellars that are not generally available for the public.
Delicious food to pair from top regional restaurants presenting hors d’ oeuvres to pair with the evening’s selection of wines. Placerville’s Farm Table, and Heyday Café, plus El Dorado Hill’s C Knight’s Steakhouse, Milestone, and the new, Osteria Moto, to drop a few names.
A silent auction of limited hand-picked offerings and live music will cap the evening off. Tickets are $85 per person for either of the two Friday events. Purchase them HERE!!!
Summer sipping opportunities abound at the Telluride Wine Festival, June 28-July 1! I am returning for my third year as Wine Director and invite you to attend my finely crafted seminars with exquisite winery guests! Peruse the seminar list and wineries below if you need further convincing. Tickets available HERE & hope to see you there ~ Cheers! Christopher
Seminars
The Ultimate Six-Pack!
Appellation Celebration: The Exploration Tour of the West Coast AVA’s turning 35!
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & A True Sense of Place
Extreme Reds: Cult Wines with Class and Charm
The Rebirth of Cool: Riesling and other Aromatic White Gems
The Duel of Wine Seminar & Film Screening ~ Featuring Star Sommelier Charlie Arturaola
In China with my buddy and Somm star Charlie from the film Duel of Wine!
Wineries
Alpha Omega ~ Brooks Wine ~ Chalk Hill ~ Cline Cellars ~ Fiddlehead Cellars ~ Flanagan Wines ~ Foley Estates ~ Laurel Glen Vineyard ~ Michael David Winery ~ Montemaggiore ~ Peay Vineyards ~ Pellet Estate ~ Perinet Winery ~ RR Winery ~ Tamber Bey ~ The Calling ~ Tolosa Winery ~ Y. Rousseau Wines ~ And more . . .
Just a short note to say online ticket sales ends this Friday April 20th! I will be there enjoying the stellar wines and company. Some availability already SOLD OUT so get them while you can. If not sold out, tickets to the Opening and Closing Tastings will be available at the door for $10 more. All other tickets must be purchased in advance.
Just a little trek to the State Capital over spring break and guess what we did? While the fam was out exploring Old Town Sacramento and William Land Park, I participated in this amazing competition! Here are some highlights, with links to more winners at the bottom as well as your chance to taste them for yourself. CHEERS!
Top right photo, at the Sugar Mill in Clarskburg: El Dorado winery owners Greg and Susan Boeger were honored for their family’s achievements in the California wine industry. In the background is our Chief Judge, Mark Chandler. www.boegerwinery.com; Other photos showing professional wine judges at work & play!
Best of Show Red: Double Gold 99
St. Amant Winery
2016 Touriga, The Old Soldier
Amador County
Best of Show White: Double Gold 99
Picchetti Winery
2017 Sauvignon Blanc
Cedar Lane Vineyard
Arroyo Seco
Best of Show Sparkling: Double Gold 99
Gwinllan Estate
2016, Pinot Noir Rose, Brut Sparkling Wine
El Dorado
Best of Show Pink: Double Gold 99
Malene
2017 Rosé
Santa Barbara County
Best of Show Dessert: Double Gold 98
Stephen & Walker
2012 Botrytis Chardonnay, Late Harvest
Mendocino Ridge
Golden State Winery of the Year
Imagery Estate Winery
Golden State Vineyard of the Year Award
Paraiso Springs Vineyard
Wine Lifetime Achievement Awards
Greg Boeger
The Bogle Family
California All Stars Awards
Ken Fugelsang
Dennis Martin
