Monthly Archives: April 2016

Event, Food, Tasting, Wine

The Annual Paulée dinner at Arista, April 30th

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To celebrate the SoCo Barrel Auction, the Russian River Valley Winegrowers and Arista Winery in Healdsburg will be hosting THE ULTIMATE WINEMAKER DINNER on April 30th.

The Annual Paulée Dinner is timed to coincide with the Sonoma County Barrel Auction.  In the spirit of the Paulée tradition, which originated in Burgundy, the Russian River Valley Paulée brings winemakers and collectors together to enjoy an elegant multi-course meal paired with rare and favorite wines from winemakers’s & guests’ personal cellars, in a family style seating which fosters the spirit of community and an ideal format for the shared love of great wine.

Purchase Tickets!

paulee dinner
Savor specialties from Russian River Valley chefs:
Tim Kaulfers of Arista Winery, Duskie Estes of ZAZU kitchen & farm, Dustin Valette of Valette Restaurant and Cheyenne Simpkins of Wine Country Feasts.

Enjoy the Wines of Arista Winery, Bacigalupi Vineyards, Balletto Vineyards, Benovia Winery, Davis Bynum, Davis Family Vineyards, Dutton-Goldfield, Gary Farrell, Gordian Knot, J Vineyards & Winery, Joseph Swan, MacPhail Family Wines, MacRostie Winery & Vineyards, Martinelli Winery, Migration, Ramey Wine Cellars, Sonoma-Cutrer & Viszlay Vineyards.

paulee

Competition, Judging, news, Uncategorized, Wine

2016 North Coast Wine Challenge Results!

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The fabulous panels for the 2016 North Coast Wine Challenge.
The fabulous panels for the 2016 North Coast Wine Challenge.

Spectacular finish to the North Coast Wine Challenge with some of the finest wine judges in America. Our team sent the top red & white wine winners to the final round and the 2012, 2013 & 2014 vintages were brilliant.

Enjoying the fabulous Judges Dinner at MacMurray Ranch in Russian River Valley.
Enjoying the fabulous Judges Dinner at MacMurray Ranch in Russian River Valley.
My fellow judges and two of my favorite people in the wine industry: Traci Dutton, Manager of Wine & Beverage Studies at the Rudd Center at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, and Master Sommelier Fred Dame.
My fellow judges and two of my favorite people in the wine industry: Traci Dutton, Manager of Wine & Beverage Studies at the Rudd Center at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, and Master Sommelier Fred Dame.

The big winners have been published in the Press Democrat in this article by Diane Peterson:

Find the entire winners’ list is HERE!
Cheers! Christopher

 

Judging, Sommelier, Video, Wine

Welcome to Wine Judges Corner!

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winejudges-300x180Wine Channel TV has a new digital online wine lifestyle community called Wine Judges Corner dedicated to wine competitions, award-winning wines and wine judges!

Not only does the site provide extensive competition information for both past and future events, but it also offers the inside scoop from competition organizers, exclusive interviews with renowned judges and extensive wine reviews by experts in the field.

Start your exploration by reading up on yours truly,
follow that up with details about the site!

Wine Judge Christopher Sawyer

Appellation, Event, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Hospice du Rhône is almost here! April 14-16

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Too late to buy tickets online, but sales at the door are worth the trip to Hospice du Rhône in Paso Robles, CA!  Be sure to check the website for more information.  And play “Where’s Chris?”  you can find me roaming about.

hdr16bHospice du Rhône is located on the Central Coast of California, operates to improve the business conditions of the grape growers and wine producers of Rhône variety wines and grapes throughout the world.

news, Wine

The Wine-pocalypse: Fact or Fiction?

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beltane ranchBy now the California Drought is common knowledge.  Residents are working to conserve, but hoping for at least a nudge of relief from the current El Nino, results of which are eagerly being awaited.  In this interesting Forbes article, my friend Greg Hittelman examines the grapes to see just how wineries are being affected and what the outcome will be on the 2015 vintage.

Dry State: Will California’s Drought Trigger a Wine-pocalypse?

Sad Grapes by Mai T. Trinh
Sad Grapes by Mai T. Trinh
Appellation, Food, Tasting, Wine

Join the Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting – Thursday April 21st

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I will be moderating the fabulous Mt. Veeder Spring Tasting yet again this year in San Francisco on Thursday April 21!  The event is from 5–7pm at The Presidio Golden Gate Club, on 135 Fisher Loop, SF.

MVSF 2016Twenty Mt. Veeder wines will be featured with gourmet small bites from Presidio Foods Catering and assorted artisan cheeses, charcuterie, crackers and breads.  Don’t miss out…it’s the only time of the year you can TASTE and PURCHASE Mt. Veeder wines ON SITE…most of which are not open to the public.

Purchase tickets HERE, visit MtVeederWines.com
or call 707-266-1296.

Cheers! Christopher

Festivals, Food, Tasting, Wine

Bubbles & Blooms at Gloria Ferrer on Sat, April 9th!

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A Festival of Spring at this amazing House of Bubbly, Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards, on Saturday from 12-4pm!

gf_bloomsBubbles & Blooms brings professionals from Flower Magazine to teach creative floral arranging, displays, wreaths, and more! See colorful flower art installations perfect for special occasions.

Peruse the on-site garden market for plants and fresh arrangements to get you started enhancing your home. Test your luck winning raffle prizes ranging from floral arrangements to garden equipment!

See you there! Christopher

Charity, Food, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Vintage Comet Wine Tasting Train: Only in April!

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western-railway-museum-logoWe just visited the amazing Western Railway Museum, located along the Highway 12 corridor, for a family train ride and exploration of some historic rail cars.  Just wanted to share with you an opportunity to ride The Comet for wine tasting, appetizers and door prizes, on the next three Saturday’s in April 9, 16 & 23.

This fundraiser will benefit the museum, which is non-profit, and the Solano Midnight Sun Breast Cancer Foundation.

Secure your TICKETS, yesterday’s train apparently sold out!

If you cannot make this event, there are others to look for throughout the year.  Or you can just swing over for a weekend family adventure instead!

A stop along our train trip at the Western Railway Museum.
A stop along our train trip at the Western Railway Museum.