Category Archives: Wine

Food, Travels, Wine

Theory Kitchen Founder Visits Robert Mondavi Winery, July 26th

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Robert Mondavi Winery is planning a very special dinner on Wednesday, July 26th: Their illustrious winery Chef Jeff Mosher will be collaborating with rising star culinarian, 23-year-old Chef Theo Friedman, to prepare a fabulous, one of a kind, wine pairing dinner.

Spotlight on Emerging Chef Series –
Dinner with Chef Theo Friedman
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
6:30 pm to 10:00 pm

 

Theo has taken the NY culinary scene by storm with his inventive cuisine since recently graduating from Tufts University.  Theory Kitchen, featuring his recurring pop up dinners have been dubbed among “The 5 Most Amazing Underground Dining Experiences in America” by Vogue Magazine and his talents have been chronicled in publications such as the Village Voice, The Boston Globe and TimeOut, among others.

Purchase your tickets online or call (888) 766-6328, ext. 2

Food, Sommelier, Wine

Update! Zin-Zin Din-Din at Gravenstein Grill set for August 10th

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Sorry about the scheduling confusion!  We have set the new date for this dinner as Thursday August 10th.  It will feature fabulous zinfandels from ACORN Winery, Hartford Court Family Winery, Gamba Vineyards & Winery and more! I will be there again as your happy Sommelier Chris Sawyer. Stay tuned for the menu details at the Gravenstein Grill Facebook page and call 707-634-6142 to make your reservations!  See you there! ~Christopher

Gravenstein Grill is located at
8050 Bodega Ave, Sebastopol, CA 95472

Event, Film, Food, Wine

St. Francis events: Grease & Luxury Bacon Dinner

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A perfect pairing!  After you join us for the movie night showing of Grease on Thursday July 13th, plan to return for the weekend’s 6th Ever Luxury Bacon Dinner at the St. Francis Winery & Vineyard dining room, 6:30 pm on July 15th.  Procure your tickets!

RECEPTION

Mini Quiche Lorraine

Pancetta Wrapped Shrimp with Saba Glaze

Bacon Burger Sliders

2015 Chardonnay, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley
2014 Cabernet Franc, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

 DINNER

Smoked Trout, Egg & Potato Salad
Herb Salad |  House Cured Bacon | Salmon Roe
2015 Chardonnay, Martinelli Vineyard, Russian River Valley

BBQ Pork Belly
Chipotle Glaze | Corn Purée | Fried Green Tomatoes
Pickled Green Tomatoes | Piquillo Pepper Relish
2014 Malbec, Wild Oak Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

Stuffed Porchetta
Grilled Peaches | Charred Cippolini Onions | Mustard Greens
Bacon-Fontina Polenta
2014 Zinfandel, Montecillo Vineyard, Sonoma Valley

Bacon Banana Bread
Salted Caramel Ice Cream | Banana-Walnut Fritters
2014 Port, Sonoma County

Competition, Event, Judging, Wine

Catch the California State Fair: July 14-30

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Earlier this year I participated in a judging of over two thousand wines for the California State Fair! Here is the entire California Commercial Wine Competition Results for you to peruse. You also might make those plans to hit the big event starting this Friday July 14th in Sacramento. If not there are other more local fair opportunities to hit all summer long!

Festivals, Travels, Wine

The Incredible Wineries at Telluride Wine Festival!

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Thank yous go all around to these amazing people for coming to Telluride, sharing their wines and making it a great experience for me and the wine lovers in attendance!  Such spectacular memories, many more than in the pictures below.

  • Bob Iantosca of Gloria Ferrer
  • Dave Phillips of Michael David
  • James MacPhail of The Calling
  • Julia Iantosca of Lasseter Family Winery
  • Lise & Vincent Ciolino of Montemaggiore
  • Michael McCullough of Drew Family Wines
  • Mike Sullivan of Benovia
  • Randall Watkins of Laurel Glen
  • Ryan Solis of Kunde
  • Tres Goetting of Robert Biale Vineyards
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Clockwise: Bob pours Brut at the Sunday Brunch; Tres shares his wares at the Grand Tasting; Some delicious selections from The Calling; On the town with Ryan, Mike, Randall taking an obligatory selfie!

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Clockwise: Myself, Lise, Nadia the Somm and Dave at the Trending Now Lunch; Some Rodney Strong & Davis Bynum at the Grand Tasting; The beautiful view of Mountain Village; The first event, Precious Bites Luncheon with Julia, Bob, Mike and myself.

Film, Food, Wine

Classic Summer: St. Francis Outdoor Film Festival in July

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Heads up for this weeks premiere of the St. Francis Outdoor Film Festival: July 6th is The Breakfast Club!  Plus the special pre-show concert will be Band Camp.

Stars Under the Stars Outdoor Film Festival takes place every Thursday night at the Winery from July 6 to July 27.  Seating on the lawn begins at 7pm with a pre-show concert and wine reception.  El Coyote Food Truck will be serving delicious Mexican food available for purchase. Feature film begins at dusk.  I will be there to pair St. Francis’ world class wines with world class films.

Also mark your calendar for the upcoming shows:

  • Grease on July 13
  • Some Like It Hot on July 20
  • Good Will Hunting on July 27

See you there! Christopher

Event, Music, Wine

Rodney Strong Summer Concerts start July 8th!

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Chris Botti will perform on August 27th!
Chris Botti will perform on August 27th!

Have you been to one of these shows? The last few years my family and I have attended, first to see Chris Isaak, followed by B-52’s last year. It was super fun, plus you have the opportunity to catch Isaak again this year! Rodney Strong is a great outdoor setting with delicious wines to accompany your pleasure.  Here are the details!

July 8th – Chris Isaak
July 23rd – Kenny Loggins
August 27th – Chris Botti
September 9th – Kool & The Gang

Get tickets while you can!
Cheers, Christopher

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Charity, Event, Wine

2017 Great Gatsby Gala Benefiting the HDSA

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Buena Vista Winery will be transformed into a Roaring Twenties destination on Saturday, July 1, 2017 when the winery hosts the Great Gatsby Gala to benefit the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA).

With a goal to raise $100,000 to support the HDSA mission, the event will honor Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor of Boisset Collection, which owns Buena Vista Winery, and Dr. Laurice Yang, Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford University in the Neurology & Neurological Sciences department. Join us in your Gatsby-themed attire to enjoy live entertainment, a delicious dinner and wine pairing, Buena Vista’s classically retro Bubble Lounge and a fantastic silent auction.

To make donations and purchase tickets please go to: pacificsouthwestreg.hdsa.org/

Appellation, Tasting, Wine

Single Vineyard night in Sonoma County June 30th

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Join Russian River Valley Winegrowers for an amazing tasting experience of Russian River Valley single vineyard wines. More than 40 wineries will be pouring small-lot, single vineyard wines from the Russian River Valley, including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Syrah and Sauvignon Blanc. Guests will dine on delicious appetizers, including a grill station with sausages, hanger steak and sliders.

Friday, June 30, 2017
VIP Tasting: 5:30 – 6:30 PM
MAIN EVENT: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Vintner’s Inn, 4350 Barnes Road, Santa Rosa
TICKETS!