THE VARIETAL SHOW is at Hartford Family Winery, talking about the divine history of Zinfandel vines grown in Sonoma County with rockstar winemaker Jeff Stewart, who will be pouring these fab wines with us at the exclusive Sonoma County Vintners Pour & Explore Zinfandel Tasting happening this Thursday, July 10th at St. Francis Winery & Vineyard in Kenwood from 5:30-7:30 PM. More information & TICKETS HERE!
Passionate talk with star winemaker Katie Madigan of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards about the virtues of the legendary Zinfandel grape and the upcoming Pour+Explore bySonoma County Vintners who helped put this grape on the world map!
For TICKETS and more info about this epic ZIN tasting event on Thursday July 10th, visit the SCV website: Katie, the SCV, ZAP members, WDCV and I all hope to see you there!
The AFWC’s THE Rosé Competition 2025, which benefits multiple charities, is thrilled to announce the outcome of its twelfth annual event, hosted along with The Fort Lauderdale Women’s Club in South Florida on Saturday, May 31st, 2025. It was a special year welcoming Chris Sawyer to the team, and adding new categories due to the abundance of entries. (Scroll down for full results!)
Outstanding Winners in THE Rosé Competition
The prestigious organization, The American Fine Wine Competition, which encompasses both THE Rosé Competition and The Invitational (held in January), has crowned the 2019 Gloria Ferrer Cuvee Rosé, Methode Champenois, as the Best of Show Sparkling ($94). Located in Carneros (Sonoma), California, the wine is described by the judges as complex and elegant, with aromas of cranberries, strawberry, and rhubarb pie; apples, cherries and some spice. It’s beautifully balanced and just delicious!
In the Dry Rosé category, the prestigious Best of Show title was bestowed upon V. Sattui Rosato di Pinot Noir, priced at $37. Last year V. Sattui earned Best of Show for their Sparkling Rose! This winery is worth paying attention to! The judges were captivated by their juicy watermelon flavors and vibrant strawberries; and a sophisticated profile that culminates in a long, gratifying finish.
Moving to the Off Dry Rosé category, the highest accolade was secured by one of Sonoma’s most beautiful wineries, Deerfield Ranch. Their Checkerbloom Rosé, made from organic Syrah grapes, at $28 impressed the judges! They were enchanted by the lusciousness and vibrant flavors. A slightly sweet wine that should be enjoyed year-round.
A new category was introduced by Chris Sawyer this year called “Super Blend”, the blend of the winner was Pinot Noir, Sangiovese, Petite Sirah, Black Muscat, Carignan and Syrah. The winner was Banshee with 97 points. Banshee is located in Sonoma and produces this magnificent wine plus multiple other varietals.
Congratulations to these exceptional Rosé wines and all the winners!
Final-Flights-Results-THE-Rose-2025.xlsx-Sheet1-1
This year, the event “Fifty Shades of Pink” followed THE Rosé Competition 2025 and was held on June 1st, also at the Ft. Lauderdale Women’s Club. Attended by more than 150 guests, it proved to be a huge success for the charities as well as for the wineries. The event benefited both the Ft. Lauderdale Women’s Club and the Joel Feigenheimer Endowment Fund. It featured scores of magnificent award-winning Rosé wines plus fine red and white wines from AFWC’s The Invitational. Since its inception, AFWC has donated more than $1,250,000 to charity.
Join Sonoma County Vintners and Sawyer Somm for this exclusive wine tasting event at St Francis Winery & Vineyards featuring a special selection of Zinfandels from over 25 wineries across Sonoma County!
This festive evening (5:30-7:30pm) includes a walk-around tasting of a curated selection of wines from each vintner, paired with appetizers crafted by the St. Francis culinary team and Executive Chef Peter Janiak. You’ll enjoy a special selection of delicious dishes that are perfect pairings with Zinfandel; Smoked Pulled Pork Sliders with Peach BBQ Sauce; Esquite Bowls with Blackened Corn and Roasted Poblano Aioli; Fried Chicken Skewers with Tahini Yogurt and Charred Green Tomato Tabbouleh
TICKETS available now!
Some featured Sonoma County producers include A. Rafanelli Winery, BACA, Benovia, Bricoleur Vineyards, Buena Vista Winery, Comstock Wines, Croix Estate, DeLoach Vineyards, Dry Creek Vineyard, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Flambeaux Wine, Gamba Vineyards & Winery, Hartford Family Winery, Ledson, Limerick Lane Cellars, Martinelli Winery, Mauritson Wines, Muscardini Cellars, Papapietro Perry Winery, Saini Vineyards, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Solo Nostro, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Trentadue Winery, WALT, Williams Selyem, Zialena and more!
Get ready to sip, swirl, and celebrate –Fifty Shades of Pink is back—bigger, bolder, and bursting with flavor!
Join us Sunday June 1st, from 4–7 PM, at the beautiful Fort Lauderdale Woman’s Club (20 South Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301) for an unforgettable afternoon of Rosé, Red & White Wines, Tasty Bites, Music & Auction Festivities
As do all AFWC events, a charity benefits, this will benefit the Joel Feigenheiner Endowment Fund, which offers scholarships for students in need.
With hundreds of award winning wines to taste & some wineries pouring, local restaurants showcasing their creations, and a cause worth toasting, this is the summer kickoff you don’t want to miss – get your TICKETS while they last!
Time to THINK PINK! Having fun chatting about the joys of tasting pink wines with my pal Gary Saperstein of Out In The Vineyard, who will be hosting the 5th Annual Pink Sonoma Rosé Festival at Viansa Winery in Sonoma from 12-3 PM this Sunday, May 4th!
Gary and I discuss the great Pour+Explore Rosé & Aromatic White Wine tasting that I co-hosted with SCV in April, as well as the fabulous pink Pet Nat produced by Breaking Bread Winery and a sensational pink gem from Anaba Wines that will be featured at this upcoming event.
Get your TICKETS to the Pink Sonoma Rosé Festival!
THE Rosé Competition 2025 will be taking place on May 31st in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida for its 12th edition!
Featuring world-renowned judges who are professionals in the wine industry. They include chefs, sommeliers, retailers, writers and educators
REGISTER HERE! The fee is $70.00 per wine entered. Both International and domestic rosé wines are invited to participate: Including sparkling, dry, and sweet wine categories. (We require four bottles of each wine entered, two for the competition, one to promote your wine at our annual “Fifty Shades of Pink” fundraising event and one signed bottle for our charity auction.) CHEERS! Chris & Shari
Stuck in Lodi again? HELL yeah!Join THE VARIETAL SHOW for this special visit with Mohr-Fry Ranches, recently awarded 2025 Vineyard of the Year by California State Fair for “Marian’s Vineyard”. We discuss gnarly old Zinfandel vines, the amazing Fry family who care for this famous vineyard planted in 1901, and a collection of seven other wonderful old Zinfandel plantings.
Joining us are my great friends Lodi Mayor Emeritus Mark Chandler, Stuart Spencer of St. Amant Winery (whose family has worked with the precious fruit from this historic vineyard for over three decades), and Fry family father Jerry, son Bruce and granddaughter Morgan (holding my camera).
More tasty talk about Aromatic Whites and Rosé Wine Delights and the exciting Pour+Explore wine event that my special guest Jamie Benziger of Imagery Estate Winery, Sonoma County Vintners and myself will be part of next Thursday, April 17 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Balletto Vineyards near Santa Rosa.
Get your TICKETS for this celebratory SCV-style kickoff to Spring and Summer wines being poured by 30 + wineries that I helped hand select to participate. SEE YOU THERE!~Chris
THE VARIETAL SHOW gets in depth with Cristina Torres of Marimar Estate to discuss their fantastic Spanish varietals that will be featured at Pour+Explore Rosés & Aromatic Whites, being hosted by myself and Sonoma County Vintners, next Thursday, April 17 from 5:30-7:30 PM at Balletto Vineyards.
Join us for this celebratory SCV-style kickoff to Spring and summer wines being poured by 30 + wineries I helped hand selected to be part of this amazing event! Get your TICKETS while you can.
