#LakeCountyRising Charity Wine Auction – Sunday March 20th

Sharing this Press Release information for those that want to continue the efforts of support for victims of last year’s devastating lakecorisingValley Fire in Lake County.   More information and tickets can be purchased at #LakeCountyRising.  Piggy back this onto the end of your Flavor! Napa Valley adventures!

Valley Fire Relief Charity Wine Auction
Sunday, March 20, 2016
2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Culinary Institute of America – Greystone
St. Helena, California

Thanks for your support!

Take the Quiz! Match the Wine with the Event

Test your wine knowledge by matching the label with the appropriate Flavor! Napa Valley event, taking place March 16-20.  These delicious beauties were all dropped off this week in preparation of all the upcoming to-do’s.  Hope to be seeing you in the mix! Christopher

Here are the possibilities:
highwest2a) Pinot Paradise
b) Aromatic White Wines for Spring
c) High-Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside
d) High-Elevation Wines Part 2: Westside
e) Forward Thinking: The Young Stars of Napa Valley
f) Exploring the Rhone Zone
g) Terrior to Table: Five Decades Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting with Trefethen Family Vineyards
h) BRIX after-party

Find the answers at my Napa Valley – Pinterest page. 

bricksafterpartypinotp1

lasirenarhone1

50tertable1higheast1

fwdthinking1For more event options check out the full Flavor! Napa Valley Schedule At a Glance.

Learn about Aromatic White Wines at Flavor! Napa Valley

So excited to be working on the fabulous Wine Classes with star winemakers at Flavor! Napa Valley: Selfie with fellow somms Christie Dufault & Robert Bath MS (your moderator!).
So excited to be working on the fabulous Wine Classes with star winemakers at Flavor! Napa Valley: Selfie with fellow somms Christie Dufault & Robert Bath MS (your moderator!).

Here is a refreshing opportunity!  Join moderator, Bob Bath, Master Sommelier and Professor of Wine and Beverage Studies at The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and at COPIA as well to check out the new delicate styles of white wine from Napa Valley that are becoming very fashionable to pair with so many styles of fine cuisine.

Aromatic White Wines for Spring
The Culinary Institute of America at Copia
500 1st Street Napa, CA 94559
Friday, March 18, 2016 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Get your tickets!

As one of the panelists talented winemaker Heidi Barrett (pictured here with husband Bo) will be showcasing a new release from the family's La Sirena Wines.
As one of the panelists talented winemaker Heidi Barrett (pictured here with husband Bo) will be showcasing a new release from the family’s La Sirena Wines.

This Flavor! Napa Valley class will enlighten you to some crisp alternatives to Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc, with lovely aromatic aromas.  An amazing crew of panelists will be in attendance as well: Heidi Barrett, La Sirena Wines; Mike Chelini, Stony Hill Vineyard; Jeff Virnig, Robert Sinskey Vineyards; Craig Becker, Priest Ranch/Somerston Estate; Ken Foster, Mahoney Vineyards; Ry Richards, Chappellet Winery.

Enjoy!

Learn about High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside with me!

Mia Klein & Tina Mitchell - the two talented women winemakers at Palmaz Vineyards - will be joined by Remi Cohn of Cliff Lede Vineyards master somm Gillian Ballance of TWE Global as part will be in attendance!
Mia Klein & Tina Mitchell – the two talented women winemakers at Palmaz Vineyards – will be joined by Remi Cohn of Cliff Lede Vineyards master somm Gillian Ballance of TWE Global as part will be in attendance!

International Women’s Day couldn’t be better with this star line up of talented females in the wine industry!  I will be moderating this exciting panel for the upcoming Flavor! Napa Valley.

High Elevation Wines Part 1: Eastside
The Rudd Center at
The Culinary Institute of America Greystone, St. Helena
Saturday, March 19 / 10:00 – 11:30am
Get your tickets!

This will  be a detailed exploration of complex wines made with grapes grown on high elevation sites in the rugged eastern hills of the Napa Valley. We will be joined by Remi Cohen, President, Poetry Wines/Cliff Lede Vineyards: Stags Leap District,  Glenn Salva, Antica Napa Valley, Atlas Peak,  Gillian Balance, Beringer/Treasury Wine Estates, Howell Mountain, Tina Mitchell, Palmaz Vineyards, Coombsville  and Mia Klein, Cimarosso, Howell Mountain.

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Hope you can join us!
Christopher

 

Me & Traci talking bubbles at Flavor! Napa Valley

Another delicious Flavor! Napa Valley opportunity to join co-moderator Traci Dutton, Manager, Public Wine and Beverage Studies, The Culinary Institute of America at Greystone, and myself for this fabulous panel!

Bubbly Sensations: Exploring the Top
Sparkling Wines of Napa Valley
The Meritage Resort and Spa
875 Bordeaux Way Napa, CA 94558
Sunday, March 20 / 9:30am – 11:00am
Get your tickets!

Start your Sunday off in style by tasting through the top sparkling wines of Napa Valley with us.  Find out where the grapes are grown and how the winemakers create levels of flavor and complexity that make their sparkling gems so special.

Bubbles and knowledge in every sip!  With extra special guests Eileen Crane, Winemaker at Domaine Carneros, Tom Tiburzi, Winemaker, for Domaine Chandon,  Ludovic Dervin, Winemaker at Mumm Napa  and Hugh Davies, Proprietor of Schramsberg Vineyards.

Pop on over!
Christopher

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Join my panel for High Elevation Wines Part 2: Westside

mtbrave
Love the pure mountain fruit flavors of the Mt. Brave Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder, come hear Mariano Navarro from the winery talk about the wine.

As excitement grows for the upcoming Flavor! Napa Valley, I want to take time to invite you to this special class I will be moderating:
High Elevation Wines Part 2: Westside on Saturday March 19th.

Join me and an amazing list of participants (see below!) to explore flavorful selections of wines made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah and other special varietals used to create limited release wines and proprietary blends from hidden sites on the Mayacamas Range overlooking Napa Valley.

High Elevation Wines Part 2: Westside
The Rudd Center at The Culinary Institute
of America Greystone, St. Helena
Saturday, March 19 / 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Get your tickets!

Participants include: Hugh Davies, Proprietor, J Davies/Schramsberg, Diamond Mountain Christopher Howell, Winegrower/GM, Cain Winery & Vineyard, Spring Mountain Stuart Smith, Winemaker, Smith Madrone Vineyards & Winery, Spring Mountain Mariano Navarro, Viticulturalist, Mt. Brave/Lokoya Wines, Mt Veeder Jay Turnipseed, Mount Veeder Winery, Mt. Veeder

Hope to see you there!
Christopher

On The Wine Road: Breakfast with the Winemakers!

The next two weekends On The Wine Road will be Barrel Tasting, and four opportunities for you to have breakfast with local winemakers! Join me or another knowledgeable host for a full breakfast along with time for Q&A with the winemakers. Bring your questions—learn more about winemaking, what to be aware of when tasting barrel samples, and what to look for when making buying decisions when purchasing futures.

Breakfast with the Winemakers

March 5Sbragia Family Vineyards
CHRISTOPHER SAWYER
Katarina Bond, West Wines
Paul Brasset, Bluenose Wines
Ed Sbragia, Sbragia Family Wines

March 5Inspiration Vineyards
ZIGGY THE WINE GAL
Jon Philips , Inspiration Vineyards
Stew Lauterbach, Lauterbach Cellars
Wendy Morrow – Tara Bella Winery

March 12J. Rickards Winery
CHRISTOPHER SAWYER
Jim Rickards, J. Rickards Winery
Ed Sbragia, Sbragia Vineyards
Gio Martorana, Martorana Family Winery
Joe or Dom Foppoli, Christopher Creek Winery

March 12Siduri Wines
MARCY GORDON
Adam Lee, Siduri
Randy Pitts, Harvest Moon
Tim Borges, Portalupi
Rod Berglund, Joseph Swan

Breakfast tickets also include your weekend Barrel Tasting pass. Seating is limited for each breakfast, so don’t delay in purchasing your tickets!

Find Sawyer! At the 40th Anniversary of The Wine Road in Sonoma County, one of these wine fans of world-class wines could be you!
Find Sawyer! At the 40th Anniversary of The Wine Road in Sonoma County, one of these wine fans of world-class wines could be you!