Join Sonoma County Vintners at our Pour + Explore exclusive wine tasting event on Thursday, October 23, 5:30-7:30pm at Kunde Family Winery, in the beautiful Magnolia Room, featuring a special selection of Rhône Varietals that showcase world-class wines from over 25 wineries from across Sonoma County.
Get your TICKETSto celebrate autumn in wine country with a walk-around tasting of a curated selection of wines from each vintner, and enjoy light bites with a selection of cheese and charcuterie.
Featured Wineries include Anaba Wines, B.R. Cohn Winery, Benovia Winery, Bricoleur Vineyards, Cline Family Cellars, Comstock Wines, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Enkidu Wines, Foley Family Wines, Idell Family Vineyards, Joseph Jewell Wines, Joseph Swan Vineyards, Kunde Family Winery, Lasseter Family Winery, Longboard Vineyards, MacLaren Wines, Martinelli Winery, Mascarin Family Wines, Meadowcroft Wines, Muscardini Cellars, Pride Mountain Vineyards, Ramey Wine Cellars, Ram’s Gate Winery, Ridge Vineyards, Solo Nostro Wines, Three Sticks Wines, Woodenhead, and more!
. . . is when a winemaker and a sommelier get together, the conversation always leads back to what’s in the glass.
I join Deepak Gulrajani, founder and winemaker of Nicholson Ranch, to share insights on how the land, the vintage, and the craft all shape their wines! Plan your visit to this amazing vineyard property in Sonoma Valley.
Last preview of the sensational wine blends featured at the Pour & Explore: Super Blends Wine Tasting, the event that Sonoma County Vintners and I will be co-hosting at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville on Thursday evening, August 21, from 5:30 -7:30 PM. Enjoy this discussion I had with star winemaker Tim Bell of Dry Creek Vineyard, sharing three brilliant Super Blends they will be pouring at this amazing event, which marks the largest collection of red, white and pink high-end cuvee wines and proprietary blends crafted with high-quality fruit grown in Sonoma County.
Enjoy this cool conversation I had with Trentadue winemaker Miro Tcholakov, on THE VARIETAL SHOW we discuss the three Super Blends he’ll be pouring at Pour+Exploreand the art of blending these high-quality grapes together to make these flavorful wines each year!
Just a preview of the high-class wines that will be featured at this exclusive public event that Sonoma County Vintners and I will be co-hosting at Trentadue Winery in Geyserville on Thursday, August 21 from 5:30 -7:30 PM. TICKETS still available!
I know the link looks funky but it is there below!
Get TICKETS now to the next Pour + Explore exclusive wine tasting event on Thursday, August 21st, 5:30-7:30pm, at Trentadue Winery, featuring a special selection of Super Blends, unique proprietary red and white blends that showcase an array of varietals and world-class wines from over 25 wineries from across Sonoma County.
Discover wonderful wines that epitomize the essence of each winemaker’s individual style and Sonoma County’s distinctive vineyards with a fantastic walk-around tasting of a curated selection of wines from each vintner, and enjoy light bites with a selection of cheese and charcuterie. A collaboration between Sonoma County Vintners & Sommelier Chris Sawyer
Featured vintners include: ACTA, Alexander Valley Vineyards, Anaba Wines, Aperture Cellars, Benziger Family Winery, Brandon Gregory, Bricoleur Vineyards, Cline Family Cellars, DaVero Farms & Winery, Dry Creek Vineyard, Dutcher Crossing Winery, Enkidu Wines, Foley Family Wines, GC Lurton Vineyards, Imagery Estate Winery, Inman Family Wines, Lasseter Family Winery, Laurel Glen Vineyard, Mascarin Family Wines, Merriam Vineyards, Mill Creek Vineyards, Muscardini Cellars, Portalupi Wine, Ridge Vineyards, Rodney Strong Vineyards, ROWEN Wine Company, St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Three Sticks Wines, Trentadue Winery, and more!
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!
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.
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
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!
