Sharing this Press Release information for those that want to continue the efforts of support for victims of last year’s devastating 
Valley 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!
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:
a) 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.
For more event options check out the full Flavor! Napa Valley Schedule At a Glance.
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!
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!
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.
Hope you can join us!
Christopher
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
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
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.
March 5 – Sbragia Family Vineyards
CHRISTOPHER SAWYER
Katarina Bond, West Wines
Paul Brasset, Bluenose Wines
Ed Sbragia, Sbragia Family Wines
March 5 – Inspiration Vineyards
ZIGGY THE WINE GAL
Jon Philips , Inspiration Vineyards
Stew Lauterbach, Lauterbach Cellars
Wendy Morrow – Tara Bella Winery
March 12 – J. 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 12 – Siduri 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!
Here is your opportunity to join all the star chefs and winemakers flocking to the CIA and other special venues for Flavor! Napa Valley. As wine director this year, I have organized some amazing events ranging from local and celebrity chef demonstrations to intimate winemaker workshops along with Grand Tastings and exclusive experiences that bring out the best flavors of Napa Valley. Be sure to check the schedule to see when you can attend!
This year Flavor! Napa Valley takes place during Cabernet Season and provides experiences in the finest in farm-to-table cuisine, world-class wines and culinary star talent. It’s the perfect time of year for five days of culinary indulgence, and to wine and dine with Napa Valley’s legendary talent.
Ticket sale proceeds benefit The Culinary Institute of America. Stay tuned this week as I will be posting more details about individual classes however you can find out more and purchase tickets at the Events Page!
Cheers! Christopher
I will be there with my buddy the Nerd Stalker, celebrating the ZAP 25-year anniversary! Join us for this amazing tasting opportunity: The Zinfandel Experience starts this week on February 25 so keep an eye out for my social media posts though Sunday.
Amador County Zinfandel’s? You bet! Seek them out at ZAP & tell me what 
you think to win passes for Behind the Cellar Door on March 5&6 —Entry info posted at SawyerSomm.com.
Pack your bags, and book a flight for the 5th annual Oregon Chardonnay Celebration! This year there will be 48 Chardonnay producers featured this coming Saturday, February 27th at the Allison Inn & Spa in Newberg, Oregon.
I have yet to attend this event but have enjoyed my affiliation with the Chardonnay group through other OR ventures. This year, the tasting explores the role of the winemaker in presenting the character of this elegant white grape.
Elaine Brown guides through a focused tasting of five winemakers’ interpretation of Durant Vineyard’s 2014 Chardonnay. A Grand Tasting of over 40 of Oregon’s top Chardonnay producers will follow, accompanied by small bites from Sunny Jin, executive chef at Jory at The Allison Inn & Spa. Purchase tickets HERE!
