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
Ever dream of the high-altitude splendors in summertime? Bring your wines to share and enjoy the spectacular scenes of Telluride, Colorado! This marks my third year as Wine Director and I look forward to the many festive events including my educational seminars, wine pairing meals, The Grand Tasting and more!
If you are interested in joining us June 28-July 1, then please contact wine@sawyersomm.com to inquire about options that might suit you!
Will you be at World of Pinot Noir (WOPN) on March 2-3? If you will be at this Santa Barbara event then please be sure to sign up for my special Saturday seminar ATTACK OF THE CLONES!
A panel of winemakers and I will lead you during my fun and educational seminar. You will get to learn – and taste – the difference between many key Pinot Noir grape clones. Panelists include:
Are you ready to #GoMendo? Join me this weekend at the 13th Annual Aromatic White Wine Festival in Anderson Valley: A celebration of Alsace varietals from around the globe. (Formerly known as the Alsace Festival).
It all begins Saturday morning, February 24, with Educational Sessions, then the afternoon Grand Tasting with over 100 aromatic white wines, perfectly paired with locally prepared small bites. Followed by an evening Winemaker Dinner at Scharffenberger Cellars focused on locally sourced ingredients and perfectly paired with exquisite wines. Sunday February 25 commences the Winery Open Houses, at participating tasting rooms. See the list of wineries and purchase tickets HERE!
As some of you may know already, I spent the middle of January in the balmy climes of Miami. It is a ritual these past few years to participate in judging at the American Fine Wine Competition. Lucky for you as well that I have some splendid results for your perusal. This is a partial list, but you can check the AFWC website for final results in the next few days.
The 2018 Top Awards CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE TOP WINNERS
BEST OF SHOW
Selfie with Carol Shelton, who won the best Red Wine at the AFWC!
Sparkling Wine Domaine Carneros 2011 Le Reve, Carneros ($110)
White Wine Fox Run Vineyards 2015 Riesling, Finger Lakes ($18)
Red Wine Carol Shelton Wines 2013 Petite Sirah “Florence”, Dry Creek ($40)
Amador County is calling you! Celebrate the 25th Anniversary ofThe 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!
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.
