Sommeliers take center stage

An all-star team of dynamic young sommeliers from leading restaurants across the U.S. will educate and entertain wine and food lovers in Sonoma County this Labor Day weekend during the Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, Aug. 29 to 31. Selected for their wine savvy and superstar personalities, these “Sommelier Stars” are an exciting new addition to Sonoma County’s signature event, a three-day epicurean extravaganza featuring over 200 wineries and chefs. The weekend’s activities include an entertaining array of tours, tastings, winery luncheons and dinners, culminating in the gala Sonoma Valley Harvest Wine Auction on Sunday.
Sommeliers, or professional wine stewards, have extensive training and experience and are specialists in wine and food pairing. The Sommelier Stars will serve as tasting tour guides, VIP dining hosts, wine seminar panel moderators and lively auction table leaders throughout the weekend’s events. As knowledgeable and objective advisors, they’ll provide an extra element of education, fun and entertainment for event-goers.
“These are the new rock stars of the epicurean world,” said Kim Beto, vice president and sommelier with Southern Wine and Spirits. “And  the fact that they are coming from across the country to participate shows that Sonoma County wines are fantastic in the  eyes of America’s top sommeliers,” he added.
Sommelier Christopher Sawyer of Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar at The Lodge at Sonoma assembled the lineup of Sommelier Stars for the Wine Country Weekend. “Sonoma County’s unbelievable agricultural diversity is what attracts the sommeliers,” he said. “With over 80 grape varieties grown here, people often say it’s like ‘little Europe.’“
Visiting sommelier Jeremy Christie. of New York’s BLT Market at the Ritz-Carlton Central Park, said, “To me, Sonoma is the epitome of California wine country. From world class pinot noir and chardonnay, to some of the best zinfandel I have ever tasted, Sonoma has it all. Not to mention, you will probably never encounter nicer people in the wine world; from the winemakers and producers, and everyone else involved, I always feel like I’m at home.”
Master sommelier Chris Blanchard agrees. Blanchard does double-duty as sommelier at Redd in Yountville and at EDK on the Plaza in Sonoma. He said, “I have always been an enormous fan of Sonoma County appellation wines, and in fact, my first visit to a winery was in Sonoma, and my first taste of wine was from the Simi Winery in Sonoma.”
“In preparing for my Master Sommelier exam I tasted many examples of Sonoma wines and always enjoyed drinking – I mean ‘tasting’—great examples of world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Zinfandel and other wonderful varietals,” Blanchard continued. “I will look forward to sharing a bottle or two with like-minded fans of good wine throughout this event!”
Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is produced by the Sonoma County Vintners and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers. Beneficiaries for the 2008 event are local charities that support students, children, farm workers and people in need. The 2008 Sonoma Wine County Weekend is presented by Visa Signature, whose cardholders will receive exclusive benefits throughout the event.
Limited tickets are still available, and can be purchased by calling 800.939.7666 or by visiting www.sonomawinecountryweekend.com.