Category Archives: Wine

Food, Holidays, Wine

Enjoy Thanksgiving At Gravenstein Grill!

Leave a comment

Chef Simontacchi’s yearly Thanksgiving Feast is not to be missed!

Gravenstein Grill is once again serving up an annual Willie Bird Turkey Two Ways – juicy roasted breast & confit leg, along with traditional sides like local butternut squash soup, herb focaccia stuffing, caramelized brussels sprouts & more! They will also be serving a delicious vegan harvest stew for those who want to skip the meat

To see the menu, click here! This Thanksgiving Lunch & Dinner always sells out fast, so don’t wait until the last minute to book a table!

RESERVE your Thanksgiving Feast: $84 per adult and $32 per child.

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Stoller Family Estate Makes Perfect PINOT NOIR On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

Stopping by Stoller Family Estate in the amazing Dundee Hills of Oregon, THE VARIETAL SHOW was able to chat with winemaker Kate Payne Brown. Tilt your screen forward to brighten the your the view, where they just finished their picking at this Willamette Valley vineyard! We discuss and taste the diversity of their Pinot Noir, as well as what to pair with each; Estate 2020 White Pinot Noir, Winemaker’s Series 2021 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir & Estate Brut Sparkling Wine.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

20221022_121813
20221022_111422
Charity, Event, History, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Wine

Legends: Next Gen @Sonoma County Wine Library – Nov 10th!

Leave a comment

Meet The Future of Sonoma County Wine – Legends: Next Gen

After a three-year pause, the Sonoma County Wine Library is bringing back its Sonoma County Wine Legends event on Thursday, November 10th, 6:30 pm at the Steele Lane Community Center (415 Steele Ln) in Santa Rosa. (Photo credit Christopher Cheung/PD)

Moderated by Sommelier Christopher Sawyer, Legends: Next Gen will feature a panel discussion of these legends in the making, five next-generation professionals of the local wine community:

This fundraiser for the Sonoma County Wine Library includes wine pouring with charcuterie platter, and silent auction featuring special wines, gifts, and wine-country experiences. Early bird TICKETS are $45 for members and $60 for non-members, and $55 and $70 respectively after October 31st.

SCWLA_logo02_final
bs_031919_Winelibrary2.jpg
Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Wine

Chappellet LOVES Chenin Blanc On THE VARIETAL SHOW

Leave a comment

At my monthly educational wine lunch we dove into Chenin Blanc, which of course had to include Chappellet in the lineup! THE VARIETAL SHOW snagged Dominic Chappellet for a wee discussion about his winery’s story and their first vintage in 1969. We rounded it out discussing some of the other amazing contenders present; Haarmeyer 2021 Cresci, The Sadie Family ‘Skurfberg’ South Africa, Domaine des Baumard 2017 Quarts de Chaume & Domaine Huet 2016 Vouvray, Cuvee Constance.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm:Watch the classic TVS interview with Haarmeyer Wine Cellars!

Music, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

The Swingin’ Crew Jazzes It Up On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

On my final Celebrity Cruises voyage this year along the Mexican Riviera, I was pleased to see my favorite jazz quartet The Swingin’ Crew! These talented young musicians are from Buenos Aires, Argentina: Sophia, Ailen, Tomas & Theo are on a six-month Solstice ship tour that ends in January. THE VARIETAL SHOW shared some delicious Bacigalupi Petite Sirah and Kokomo Grenache, discussing some interesting comparisons to their wines back home.

Scroll below to enjoy their fabulous music, or hop onboard the Celebrity Solstice, and be sure to pair it with some spectacular wines! LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm.

20221005_125023
20221007_072300

All aboard the amazing Celebrity Solstice, with views of Cabo San Lucas! Drinking fine wines with Theo, Sophia, Ailen & Tomas.

Music, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Join THE VARIETAL SHOW For Some Special Cruise Memories!

Leave a comment

Taking a little break this week for my Costco wine cruise to Mexico, on the Celebrity Solstice: I will surely have lots of tales to tell after the fact, but for now enjoying sun and sea with the family!

Until then please enjoy these episodes of THE VARIETAL SHOW featuring new friends, musician Daniel East & Dr. Dave, from my earlier 2022 cruises & come back next week for a new episode, CHEERS!

Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Cruising To Mexico With Some Amazing Wines!

Leave a comment

Just sending a shout out to all the wines coming along on my Celebrity Solstice wine education cruise to Mexico, departing October 1st for a week – CHEERS!

Bacigalupi Vineyards: 2 Hawk Wines: Keller Estate: DNA Vineyards: Kokomo Winery: Mucho Mas: Three Sticks: Marimar Estate

IMG_3578
IMG_3420
Event, Festivals, Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

There’s No One Like SOMMS For The Holidays!

Leave a comment

Now is the time to plan your family gathering or company event and add a Sommelier to bring a little extra sparkle. Please inquire with Sawyer Somm to find out how he can enliven your holiday celebration, or how his other Wine Consulting Skills might serve your needs! Email wine(at)sawyersomm.com for more information (& be a little patient while he hosts a pre-holiday Celebrity wine education cruise to Mexico, returning October 9.) CHEERS!

Sommelier, Sports, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Three Fat Guys Wines Featuring Tony Moll On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

Kicking off the football season with a visit to NFL star turned Sonoma winery owner, Tony Moll of Three Fat Guys Wines! (The other two “fat guys” being Daryn Colledge & Jason Spitz.) THE VARIETAL SHOW learns about this 5th generation Sonoma County native, growing up around wine, fantasy football, firefighting and now winemaking. Taste along with us; Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

20220914_151301
20220914_132732
20220914_145217
Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Celebrate 50 Years With Dry Creek Vineyard On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Leave a comment

Kim Stare Wallace of Sonoma County’s Dry Creek Vineyard, joins THE VARIETAL SHOW to celebrate 50 Years of excellence! From the original prune orchards, to inspiration from Loire valley, we enjoy the fruits of their labor with a 50th Anniversary Sparkling Chenin Blanc, Fume Blanc, Zinfandel and 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon. (The Dry Creek Vineyard 2021 Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg & 2020 Heritage Vines Zinfandel, Sonoma County will be joining Sawyer Somm for the Celebrity Solstice cruise to Mexico this October!)

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

20220909_150136
20220909_144936