Get a little zapped at Zinfandel: Stories From Napa Valley with my Napa Valley Appellations Seminar and walk-around reception. Plan for CIA at Copia on Saturday, September 22nd, but if you cannot attend enjoy my zinfandel FOG DOG video instead!
Before the Sonoma County harvest kicks into high gear, join me and an all-star line-up of local #Rhone-style wine producers at the Rhone Wines Rendezvous happening at Gravenstein Grill in Sebastopol on Thursday evening, September 13 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
Relax in the tranquil patio area for this very special walk-around tasting featuring the newest releases from many of the top producers of Rhone-style wines of Sonoma County. Sample lively aromatic white wines made with #Viognier, Grenache Blanc, #Roussanne, #Marsanne and #Picpoul Blanc; vibrant, elegant and spicy versions of complex red wines made with #Syrah, #Grenache, #Mourvedre. #Cinsault, #Carignane and Petit Sirah; zippy, tangy and taste-tempting offerings of sophisticated pink wines that finish dry instead of sweet; and flavorful appetizers prepared by Chef Bob Simontacchi.
In a nutshell, our local Rhone-style wines rock. So, let’s enjoy these fantastic flavor profiles at this amazing Rhone-style event on September 13th!
Participating wineries: Limerick Lane Cellars, Jeff Cohn Cellars, Davis Family Vineyards, Two Shepherds, Lasseter Family Winery, The Larsen Projekt, MacLaren Wine, Keller Estate, Dane Cellars, Montemaggiore, Eric Kent Wine Cellers, ACORN Winery, and many more!
There will also be a live performance by the wonderful Aly Rose Trio during the event. Get your $25 ticket at EVENTBRITE!
Get excited like me and my friend Merry Edwards! Mark your August calendar for these Wednesday evening tastings, 5:30-7:30, to chat up the ones that make their fabulous wines happen.
August 15 – Merry Edwards Wines
August 22 – Jigar Wines
August 29 – Wilson Winery
Gravenstein Grill
8050 Bodega Avenue, Sebastopol, CA 95472
Join me at the Gravenstein Grill for the evening of July 19, from 6-8pm, celebrating the incredible local Rosé wines of Sonoma County. We’ll have guest wineries pouring on our patio including Radio-Coteau Wine Cellars LLC, Kokomo Winery, Benovia Winery, Kobler Estate Winery, Friedeman Wines, Claypool Cellars, and more!
Accompanying the incredible wines will be seasonal passed appetizers by Chef Bob Simontacchi featuring the great summertime local produce of West Sonoma.
There will also be a performance by the incredibly talented Sebastopol band the Aly Rose Trio. Don’t miss out on this event, one of Gravenstein Grill’s Summer Wine Series!
Join me for The Glass Makes the Difference at The CVM Store in Sonoma, where I explore the benefits of Stolzle stemware, July 20 from 1-3pm. More details on the flyer below, call 707-938-7917 to reserve your space! Cheers, Christopher
Chris Sawyer Flyer
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
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
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 . . .
Last month we were in Santa Rosa, my wife and son returned to a 
treasured park only to find it surrounded by burnt out lots. The park was only grazed with crisp leaves and they were able to play their requisite basketball. However, as they put it, felt like being in a forest.
A recent article I wrote, Out of the fires: Wildflowers and Pink Wine for Valley of the Moon Magazine is a look at the natural rebirth of some affected wineries. The view above from my house during the fires, at the extreme end of southern Sonoma County, and beyond into the entire Bay Area, we all experienced the devastation from afar.
So have we, of course, been following the recovery: Great news sources are the Press Democrat special section Rebuilding the North Bay, as well as this Facebook Page Rebuild NorthBay Foundation. The emblematic winery Paradise Ridge can be a reminder to us all that LOVE is leading us through!
Last week I spent a few days in the midst of Northern California’s best wines. Results have been posted and this article in the Press Democrat talks about the selection. I have shared some pictures and the list below, however there is a much more thorough list of Gold Medal Winners in the D-section of Wednesday’s PD print version. Peruse, pontificate and plan to attend the North Coast Wine & Food Festival on June 9, to try out these fabulous wines!
North Coast Wine Challenge Winners
Best of the Best: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hills Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Best of Show Red: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hills Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Best of Sonoma County: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hills Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast
Best of Show White: J. Rickards Winery 2017 Sauvignon Blanc Croft Vineyard Alexander Valley
Best of Show Rose: Rodney Strong Vineyards 2017 Rosé of Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Best of Show Sparkling: Domaine Carneros 2013 Brut
Best of Show Dessert Wine: Sonoma Cutrer Vineyards 2015 Late Harvest Chardonnay
Best of Lake County: Cache Creek Vineyards 2014 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Lake County
Best of Marin County: DeLoach Vineyards 2015 Pinot Noir Marin County
Best of Mendocino: Soda Rock 2016 Chardonnay Mendocino
Best of Napa County: Mudita 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Circle S Ranch Atlas Peak Napa
Best of Sonoma County: Kokomo 2016 Pinot Noir Gopher Hill Block Peters Vineyard Sonoma Coast
#PDNCWC
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
Here is a searchable list of the 2018 CA State Fair Commercial Wine Competition winners. Several opportunities to try these wines upcoming include the Best of California Tasting Event on June 21, or through Taste of California Experience Classes from July 13-29.
