Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

ZinEX 2023-Get Your Tickets!

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Coming up quickly it is time for ZinEX, in San Francisco on January 26, 27 & 28 atThe Pavilion at One Market (30 Steuart St)! So many events, so many winemakers, so many somms – myself included!

Schedule of Events begins Thursday, January 26 – Opening Night Dining; Friday, January 27 – Flights! and Winemakers Dinner & Auction ~ A Red Carpet Gala; Saturday, January 28 – Grand Tasting

Get your TICKETS! Catch the Somm-Winemaker pairings at the Friday Flights! event & lot of Zinfandel every day:

  • Ian Blackburn, Learn About Wine – Paired with Ryan Schmaltz, Winemaker at Bella Vineyards
  • Matt Montrose, OMVino – Paired with Clay Mauritson, Owner of Mauritson Wines
  • Tonya Pitts, One Market Restaurant – Paired with April Nalle, Co-owner at Nalle Winery
  • Cara Patricia, DECANTsf – Paired with Hugh Chappelle, Winemaker at Quivira Vineyards
  • Chris Sawyer, Sawyersomm.com – Paired with Jeff Stewart, Winemaker at Hartford Family Winery
  • Sarah Trubnick, The Barrel Room – Paired with Trester Goetting, Ridge Vineyards

SEE YOU ALL THERE! Christopher

Wine

The Winning Sips of Sunset Spirits 2022!

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Get the RESULTS from the inaugural Sunset International Spirits Competition, held in November 2022! Sponsored by Sunset Magazine, see the bottles and find links below.

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Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Holidaytime At Domaine Carneros On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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FLASHBACK to holidays 2021! THE VARIETAL SHOW just had to visit with a favorite of mine in the sparkling wine realm, Remi Cohen of Domaine Carneros. We discuss our love of the Carneros region, why it is a perfect place to make bubbles and still wines, culinary pairings and the great teamwork involved! Taste along with us the Cuvee de la Pompadour, Le Reve, and Le Ciel Serein Pinot Noir.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

Competition, Event, Food, Holidays, Judging, Sommelier, Travels, Wine

Happy Holidays from Sawyer Somm!

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Just a quick note to say I appreciate you following my exciting adventures this year! Stick around for more in 2023 and enjoy this little collection of photos from a year of memories.

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A perfect vintage 2022

From my visit to Chef Laura Pauli, winter lights in Oregon, chocolate & wine at Acumen, and the release of A Perfect Vintage. . .

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. . . to Be Bubbly in Napa, the stellar crew of Celebrity Solstice, Sonoma Burger delights and the always incredible eats at Gravenstein Grill! So much to share, join me for more in 2023. CHEERS! Christopher

Event, People, Sommelier, Video, Virtual, Wine

Legends: Next Gen @Watch It on SawyerSomm.com!

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Here is the video for those that were unable to attend the Sonoma County Wine Library: Sonoma County Wine Legends event in November, Legends: Next Gen that was moderated by Sawyer Somm and features five next-generation professionals of the local wine community. Sit down with a local glass of vino and enjoy the discussion!

Food, Holidays, People, Sommelier, Wine

What is SPôRK?

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So glad you asked! SPôRK is the mastermind of Chef Pat Langst which encompasses many things: Specializing in Gluten-Free treats and leading cooking classes for kids and adults. Some excellent stocking stuffers to be sure!

He is also my partner with Fire & Vine, an opportunity for you to experience a personal epicurian delight! We prepare the food and host a wine pairing in your home, inquire for details.

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Literature, Travels, Wine

Enjoy WINE & SPIRITUALITY, In The Book By ANNA PAKULA

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This inspiring book, Wine and Spirituality, is a reflective and passionate spiritual journey by the author Anna Pakula, drawn from the dedication of some of the world’s most famous vintners’ with whom she has forged lasting relationships:The list includes AXR Napa Valley, Chappellet, Continuum Estate, Darioush & Opus One!

Anna presents a “collection of pictorial stories” about winemakers, vineyards and spirituality: Presenting a correlation between the art of wine creation with enjoyment, and human spiritual growth, including inspirations drawn from the symbology of relevant Biblical quotes.

This coffee table book would be a special holiday gift, not to be missed for wine enthusiasts, that enjoy reading with a good glass of wine, and reflections on the deepest connections between vine, wine and wisdom!
Wine and Spirituality available for purchase through ANNAPAKULA.CO

Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

In The Cellar At Joel Palmer House Restaurant On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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Levi Seed is the Sommelier extraordinaire at the amazing Joel Palmer House Restaurant! THE VARIETAL SHOW huddles with him in the wine cellar to discuss the history of this mushroom centric eatery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, as well as the ‘Omakase’ Experience, and the largest selection of Pinot Noir in the country: We celebrate with some Ribbon Ridge ‘RR‘ Reisling & Authentique Pinot Noir!

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

Art, Festivals, Film, Video

DEAR ZOE, Now Available On Your Small Screens!

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At the Dear Zoe film premiere in Pittsburgh on November 2, all the stars, including Sadie Sink, Kweku Collins and the supporting cast were there! This touching film, made by my friends Brenda & Marc Lhormer, is based on the book by Philip Beard which was first published in 2004.

Here is the trailer if you missed the theater screenings. Now you can catch the entire film on all Video on Demand channels, including ITunes/AppleTV and Amazon.

Competition, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Sergio González On THE VARIETAL SHOW Sharing Mexican Wines!

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México Selection is a special competition put on by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. This year THE VARIETAL SHOW was in Parras de la Fuente, in the region of Coahuila. While there I sat down with representative Sergio González, Certified Sommelier for The Court of Master Sommeliers, to discuss the history of wine in México, which includes the oldest winery in the Americas. Together we enjoy the tastes of Casa Madero, Don Leo and Parvada. (Of special note, this region is also famous for Dinosaurs!)

México Selection RESULTS from a total of 737 wines and spirits, from 21 producing states of Mexico and the United States, “Guest Country of Honor 2022”, competed for a distinction. LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

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