You're Invited! Virtual Tasting March 13th

Meet the Winemaker with Californiavore and Schermeister Winery

Join me on March 13^th for the first of a new virtual Meet the Winemaker series with Rob and Laura Schermeister, winemakers and proprietors of Schermeister Winery in Sonoma.

Tucked into the back of Jack London Village in Glen Ellen above the babbling of Sonoma Creek, Schermeister’s blond wood tasting room feels like stepping into the calm of Scandinavian forest dining room, with a side of world class wine. Laura Schermeister beams at all who enter with a generous “Welcome! I’ll be right with you!” as she palms a Viognier to take to a group enjoying the fall sunshine on the deck outside.

On a visit to Sonoma last fall, I had the opportunity to pop into Schermeister’s tasting room for the first time. From the moment I stepped inside I was already so swept up in Laura’s personality and the coziness of the tasting room, I could only say to myself, “I really hope the wines are great too.”

Laura offered me a splash of the house Viognier which I eagerly accepted. Good Viognier is one of my great white wine loves. Though the pinnacle of that expression, coming from the Northern Rhone region of Condrieu, can be heartbreaking both because it is so good and the prices so out of reach for most.

And yet.. and yet… what was this in my glass? As I swirled and sniffed the aroma teased with notes of honeysuckle and tropical fruit. Taking a sip, the wine was textured and full, giving generously layers of fruit and balanced acidity with a long, lovely finish.

I ended up staying to taste through their Pinot Noir, Grenache, and Chardonnay. While Laura and I chatted, Rob, her husband came in the door, a bit bleary eyed having been up since 3 am as this was the middle of harvest (in Sonoma, grapes come in at night to moderate temperatures). He’d gone right from that to a blind tasting of Viognier with some fellow winemakers where his was up against, as it turned out, none other than some top tier Condrieu… and the Schermeister came out the winner.

As their dog rubbed up against my leg and Laura flitted in and out of the room attending to customers, I got the story of their relationship. This is not the born-into-the-business or rich-hobbyist kind of winery, this is a true passion project built by a couple who came together from a joint devotion to producing high quality wine with minimal intervention and sharing it with a community of wine lovers.

Meet the Winemaker Virtual Tasting with Schermeister Winery

March 13th, 6 - 7pm PST

I’m delighted to be able to introduce you to Laura and Rob and let them share their story during this intimate virtual wine tasting for Californiavore subscribers.

Paid subscribers have wine tasting event fees included with their subscription. (Please look for a second email with your code to register for free.)

For Free subscribers, consider upgrading to paid and you will include a whole year of virtual wine tasting events in your subscription.

If you would like to attend this event as a one-time participant to feel it out, you are welcome do that too! Register on Eventbrite at the link below. Then I will send you the link to order your wine from Schermeister, who has generously extended free shipping for all participants on your tasting kit plus any other wine ordered. Place your wine order by February 28^th to ensure time for shipping and in consideration of winter weather events.

· When: Thursday March 13^th from 6 – 7pm

· Format: Interactive guided tasting through three wines with the winemaker, plus Q&A

· Where: Live online through zoom, with a recording available to all registered participants after the tasting

· What you need: Laptop with good internet, wine glasses

· Class materials: In advance of the tasting, you will receive a link for the Zoom session as well as tasting notes to follow along

· Cost: Class participation is free for paid Californiavore subscribers, $35 per registrant for free subscribers. All registered participants must purchase the wine kit from Schermeister for this class, $187 for 3 full sizes 750ml bottles with free shipping. Note: you can make a party out of this and invite friends over to share one kit and taste together! The Three bottle kit is perfect for 2 – 6 tasters. Highly recommend this as it is always fun to share with more people.

· Refund-ability: Unfortunately, tasting registrations and wine purchases are not refundable.

· TASTING CLASS SIZE IS LIMITED TO 20: Register now to reserve your spot!

· Please note: We can only ship wine participants in the United States. Those outside the US are still welcome to register and join. I will recommend alternative wines to purchase and taste along in your geography.