Category Archives: Varietal

St. Francis Hosts Zinfandel & Rosé on September 18th!

The joy of Zinfandel and Rosé! Our next Pour+Explore will embrace the “Summer Meets Fall” theme at St. Francis Winery on Friday September 18th getting into some varietal details with their star winemaker Katie Madigan here on The Varietal Show.

Featuring a slew of wineries as well as members of ZAP & WDCV, serving their finest Dry Rosé Delights and a brilliant collection of Zinfandel wines for all of us that evening!!! See the list of wineries and get your TICKETS while you can.

Summer Meets Fall: Rosé & Zinfandel Tasting on Sept 18th!

Join us for Pour + Explore: Rosé + Zinfandel — Summer Meets Fall, an evening celebrating two distinctive sides of Sonoma County wine. Sip vibrant Rosés that capture the bright, refreshing flavors of summer alongside bold, expressive Zinfandels perfectly suited to the season ahead.

Enjoy a walk-around tasting featuring wines from Sonoma County wineries. Light appetizers will complement the wines as you take in the beautiful surroundings of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards and connect with fellow wine lovers. Get your TICKETS!

Participating Wineries include Alexander Valley Vineyards, Breathless Sparkling Wines, Christopher Creek Winery, Comstock Wines, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Gamba Vineyards & Winery, Kunde Family Winery, Limerick Lane Cellars, Marchelle Wines, Martinelli Winery, Mascarin Family Wines, Papapietro Perry Winery, Seghesio Family Vineyards, Solo Nostro Wines, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Stuhlmuller Vineyards, Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley & MORE!

Creating magical moments with vintage Zin!

Enjoy these video and pictures from this epic Zinfandel Tasting & Luncheon was held on August 25th, hosted by our Sawyer-Casale Wine Education Team, at the The Firehouse to honor the great Rebecca Robinson! She was an amazing proponent and leader for the ZAP movement, and in July retired from her brilliant 30-year career as the Executive Director of the Zinfandel Advocates & Producers.

It was a true pleasure to taste, share and discuss top wines from that three decade span with the all-star cast of Zinfandel’s finest producers who joined us at this very special event!


Marvelous Marchelle Wines on THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Tasting the wonderful 2026 releases from Marchelle Wines with winemaking legend Greg La Follette and the talented Evan Damiano at the fabulous new tasting room which just opened this month. Discussing the exciting new Pour+Explore tasting “Aromatic Whites & Rose Delights”we will all be at on Thursday evening, Aug 20th, at Banshee Wines in Geyserville!

See the rock-star winery list and get your TICKETS before this exclusive summer tasting sells out!

Pour+Explore Rosés & Aromatic Whites Tasting on Thursday August 20th!

Join me and Sonoma County Vintners for a relaxed evening at Banshee Wines estate in Alexander Valley as we celebrate the vibrant character of Rosés and Aromatic White Wines on Thursday August 20th, 5:30-7:30pm.

With attendance limited to just 100 guests, this Special Edition of Pour + Explore offers a more intimate opportunity to meet winery representatives, explore distinctive wines, and experience the beauty of Sonoma County wine country at your own pace. Get your TICKETS!

Featured Wineries include Balletto Vineyards, Banshee Wines, Breathless Wines, Christopher Creek Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, G & C Lurton Vineyards, Hearth Wines, Lasseter Family Winery, Marchelle Wines, Mascarin Family Wines, Naidu Wines, Ridge Vineyards, Rodney Strong Vineyards, Talisman Wine, Thumbprint Cellars, Vaughn Duffy Wines & MORE!!!

Festa Italia di Healdsburg on August 16th!

Located at Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Valley, Festa Italia di Healdsburg is a one-day celebration of Italian grape varieties farmed in California.

Attendees will enjoy a grand tasting of California wineries specializing in Italian varietals, alongside a curated selection of Italian-inspired vendors and cultural experiences. VIP Pass Holders can attend Winemaking Panel with Chris Sawyer & Viticulture Panel with Ryan Knowles, plus early access to the Grand Tasting!

Get your TICKETS here!

​A variety of food options from local culinary partners will also be available for purchase throughout the day, allowing guests to further explore the flavors and traditions that make Italian culture so beloved. 

Coming Soon, More Pour+Explore Fun!

Just a reminder that Sonoma County Vintners Pour+Explore happens all year round! Rex McNeill and I discuss the next one up, Rosé & Aromatic Whites at Banshee Winery in Geyserville, on Thursday August 20th. Get TICKETS here! More details coming soon . . .

Caribbean & Bahamas cruise With Sawyer Somm in December 2026!

Got your tickets yet? It’s not too late to set sail on this one-of-a-kind experience to the Caribbean, which includes multiple tasting events with expert Sommelier Christopher Sawyer: Caribbean and Bahamas: Kirkland Signature Pinot In Paradise Wine Cruise

Starting December 5th, 2026, this 7-night Celebrity Apex cruise departs from Port Canaveral in Orlando, Florida; with stops in Puerto Plata, Saint Thomas & Basseterre

JOIN ME FOR THIS EXCITING WINE ADVENTURE!!!!

Submit Your Wines for “The Judgement of Calistoga”!

On behalf of the Calistoga Wine Society, we are pleased to invite wineries to participate in the inaugural Calistoga AVA Wine Evaluation, to be held on July 15, 2026 at Sterling Vineyards, and culminating in the Calistoga Wine Festival, Awards Ceremony, and Grand Public Tasting on August 15, 2026.

The Calistoga AVA Wine Evaluation is a professional judging event evaluated by experienced wine judges and certified sommeliers: Wines representing the Calistoga AVA, including (but not limited to) Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Charbono, Sauvignon Blanc, and other varietals, will be assessed.

Designed to highlight the unique terroir of the Calistoga AVA and introduce participating wineries to new audiences. Award-winning wines will be:

  • Exclusively poured at the Grand Public Tasting
  • Announced live on stage by the wine judges
  • Recognized through local wine industry media, regional food, wine, and lifestyle publications.

Charitable Component: This event will benefit the community, with a of proceeds donated to UpValley Family Centers, suporting individuals and families in northern Napa County—including Calistoga and St. Helena—who face economic and social challenges.

To Participate go to the CWF website, scroll to the bottom of the page: 1) Download the Wine Entry Form, 2) Pay Entry Fee of $40 per wine entry online

If you have any questions or would like additional details, please feel free to contact us at tolstunov@yahoo.com.

A Taste of Bacigalupi!

Wow! Sipping, savoring talking with Pam Bacigalupi about the key contribution her family’s famous Bacigalupi Vineyards made to the success of wine when fruit from their property helped the Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay win, over the elite White Burgundys at the celebrated Judgement of Paris 50 years ago!

Join us to taste the fabulous Chardonnays we talked about, made by more than 30 other top Sonoma County Vintners at the exciting Pour+Explore event coming to Kendall-Jackson Winery on the evening of Thursday, June 18! TICKET LINK HERE