Santa Barbara Vintners Festival this week, April 23-26

The Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend and Festival is nearly here and tickets are almost sold out for the Friday night Vintage Party and Saturday morning wine seminar.

FRIDAY NIGHT VINTAGE PARTY

First join me at the Vintage Party, a traditional La Paulee style dinner hosted by the Santa Barbara Vintners and Mattei’s Tavern to welcome Spring Weekend visitors to Santa Barbara Wine Country on the evening before the Festival. In the La Paulee tradition, attendees will bring their favorite Vintage 2009 or older wine from Santa Barbara County or beyond to share.

THE SANTA BARBARA WINE SEMINAR

Next I will be moderating this engaging wine seminar on Saturday morning before the Festival at the Santa Ynez Valley Marriott. This year it will feature winemakers whose wine careers were influenced by their time working at Zaca Mesa. SBvint2

Sawyer Sommelier Wine Tours with Pure Luxury Transportation

Want me to join your group for a specialized Napa or Sonoma wine tasting extravaganza?  Now you can book it with Pure Luxury Transportation, the exclusive transportation venue to enjoy an extravagant Wine Country adventure!

This adventure offers the opportunity to have me answer your questions about wine, grape varieties, winemaking techniques, and the historic winegrowing regions of Northern California’s Napa and Sonoma Wine Country. This memorable experience would features special guests along the way including winemakers and winery proprietors.

Call 1-800-626-5466 to reserve your Exclusive Sommelier Tour by Pure Luxury.

Trekking the wine road. . .

mtveeder2This month leads into a collection of treks that keep me moving throughout April!  So many exciting events that I want to share some details.  Perhaps a few of you will be joining me along the way. . .

Begining this week, on Thursday April 16th, I will be at the Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting, discussing the 25-year anniversary of the appellation at their media luncheon.

This is an exciting event so take advantage to participate in their public tasting, tickets are available at Mt Veeder Appellation.

Even sooner, I will be judging two prestigious wine competitions. The first is the Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge, April PD_NC-wine_challange14-15, at the Hilton Sonoma Wine Country Hotel at Fountaingrove in Santa Rosa. Winners of the event will be announced in the Press Democrat.  On May 17, many of these award winning wines will be featured along with dishes made by some of Sonoma County’s top chefs at The Barlowe in Sebastopol.

Then, for the long haul south, I will be at the Sunset International Wine Competition judging between April 26-28.  Besides being one of the top wine competitions in the nation, this year also marks the last time the competition will be held at the expansive Sunset Headquarters in Menlo Park.  For that reason, the other judges and I will be sure to make the most out of this experience, before final sale of the property.  Entries for this competition end on April 17th.

sunset2015You can continue to follow these exploits by virtual means, on my Social Media outlets; Facebook, Twitter  and Instagram.  There will be fun pictures and daily updates.

Last note,  don’t forget that Friday, April 24th is International Sauvignon Blanc Day!  When posting use #SauvBlanc, #nzwine, etc, and don’t forget to spread the word! -CS

Move Over Sideways! My yearly sojourn to Santa Barbara.

It’s time to taste through some of the finest new releases California has to offer at the 33rd Annual Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend, April 23-26. For starters, guests will be able to visit 12 wineries involved in the Vintners Visa festivities going on from Thursday to Sunday. But for foodie lovers, the fabulous weekend kicks off with the Friday Night Vintage Party at Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos, where star sommelier Eric Railsback and I will help serve Santa Ynez Valley 044magnificent cellar selections from Dierberg and Star Lane Vineyards, Qupe Wine Cellars & Verdad Wine Cellars, Turiya Wines, Dascomb Cellars, Presqu’ile Winery, Imagine Wine, Rusack Vineyards, Melville Winery, and Martellotto Wines.

On Saturday morning, I’ll be leading a special seminar focused on the history of the Santa Ynez Valley, a legendary appellation established in 1983, through the eyes of gifted wnemakers who all worked at Zaca Mesa Winery during the early stages of their careers. Then, it’s time for the Grand Tasting at the River View Park in Buellton. This popular afternoon will feature offering from over 120 wineries paired up tasty bites from the best chefs in the county.

For more information, visit Vintners Spring Weekend.

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Join me! Create Again benefit this Saturday April 4th

This Saturday the Create Again benefit show will take place in Santa Rosa. Thanks to everyone who has helped, shared, donated, etc. So far $2400 has been donated on the event site, toward the absolute goal of $5000.

lopez2Join me at the event by choosing the $15 Ticket Perk!  If you cannot make it Saturday you can still donate at the site until April 10th.  All proceeds will go directly to the music program at Lawrence Cook School where Andy Lopez attended.

Thank you for supporting this great cause and hope to see you there!-CS

Where to be next Wednesday April 8th!

Muscardini Wine Experience with Christopher Sawyer

Your favorite Sommelier will be leading a wine experience like no other. Imparting knowledge of wine and more as we journey through Muscardini wine and food pairings by Chef Catherine Venturini Olive & Vine.

April 8 – Wednesday 6-8PM

Muscardini: The Red School House

9380 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood, California

To RSVP email alice@muscardinicellars.com or call 707.933.9305

Only 20 seats available

Price is $60/person $45/WINE CLUB MEMBERS

JOIN THE CLUB!