2016 Somms Under Fire

Thanks to Napa Valley Vintners, VIP Ticket holders will arrive at 4:30p.m. and have exclusive access to 90 minutes of Wine Tasting and Education on Napa Valley Wines from the four famous winemakers below! The event will be moderated by our Emcee Master Sommelier June Rodil. VIP Ticket holders will also have access to the Cocktail Challenge and the Somms Under Fire Wine & Food Pairing Competition featuring wines from all over the world and food prepared by Chef Drew Curren of Arro, Italic, and Easy Tiger.

Click the Ticket button below to purchase your VIP tickets today!

We look forward to seeing you on January 24, 2016 at the AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center.

Napa Valley Vintners
Rosemary Cakebread

Rosemary Cakebread - Gallica

One in a group of influential winemakers, Rosemary has earned a reputation for handcrafting wines of grace and balance. Armed with a degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California Davis, she was introduced to Cabernet Sauvignon at the historic Inglenook Winery in Rutherford, where she took her first harvest job. A career composed of varied winemaking experiences, a harvest in Bordeaux as well as immersion in the world of sparkling wine round out her winemaking resume. A love for Cabernet Sauvignon was truly nurtured at Spottswoode Estate Vineyard and Winery. Rosemary spent a combined sixteen years as winemaker and subsequently consulting winemaker on the organically farmed estate. Keen for new challenges and a desire to explore the vast array of red varieties led to the first release of Gallica in 2007.New releases on the horizon are from the coveted Shake Ridge Ranch in Amador and Soberanes-Pisoni Vineyard in Santa Lucia Highlands.

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Michael Eddy.jpg

Michael Eddy - Louis Martini Winery

Michael Eddy, who grew up in Southern California, became fascinated by the process of transforming grapes into wine after brewing beer at home. “The complexity of wine has always intrigued me,” explains Michael. “The idea of navigating all of the steps it takes to bring out different flavors in a wine really appeals to me.”

As Director of North Coast Winemaking for E. & J. Gallo Winery, Michael oversees winemaking teams at the Gallo of Sonoma Winery, Louis M. Martini Winery and William Hill Estate Winery. He also collaborates on Gallo Signature Series, an acclaimed collection of wines crafted by third-generation family winemaker Gina Gallo.

Michael finds Gallo an exciting place to work, thanks to the tremendous resources available. “Winemaking is about choosing the right materials and using innovative techniques to achieve your vision, and Gallo affords an incredible array of resources and a broad range of tools,” he says. The Winery’s impressive estate vineyards—its historic Monte Rosso Vineyard in Sonoma Valley is Michael’s favorite—are especially appealing to him.

Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from Humboldt State University in Northern California, later pursuing a master’s degree in Food Science, specializing in oenology, at the University of California at Davis. After stints in winemaking at California’s Trefethen Family Vineyards, Beaulieu Vineyard and Rodney Strong Vineyards, Michael joined Gallo in 2005 as an associate winemaker, initially focusing on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

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Peju #Winemaker Sara Fowler

Sara Fowler - PEJU

Sara Fowler joined Peju as the Winemaker in the summer of 2006, bringing a wealth of knowledge and creativity into the cellar. Sara's passion for Bordeaux varietals and knack for innovative blending make her the perfect fit to lead Peju's winemaking team.Sara cut her teeth in the wine industry as a seasonal member of the Kendall-Jackson Winery staff during high school and college. The experience with Kendall-Jackson and mentoring from then Head Winemaker Jed Steele (Steele Wines) laid a solid foundation and taught her key winemaking concepts. Jed has since become an "inspirational character" within her wine industry circle.But Sara was no stranger to agriculture. Her family has owned and operated a 400-acre organic ranch dating back to 1884. Though sheinitially studied Art upon entering the college ranks, Sara took a year hiatus from school and lived in Mexico on a sailboat where she reflected on a future career. She decided to redirect her passion, pedigree and expertise back into viticulture.Upon returning stateside, Sara began to help her family plant wine grapes on their organic ranch. She took a very active role in their new venture and chose the varietals and rootstock, installed the drip tubing and eventually pruned the vineyard. At the same time, she also served as an Enologist Assistant during crush at Kendall-Jackson. From these efforts, Sara decided her new focus would be in the wine industry as a Winemaker.Sara applied and was accepted to Fresno State. She doubled as a student and research assistant for the Viticulture Enology Research Center (VERC). Upon completion of the program at Fresno State, Sara worked for seven-plus years as the Associate Winemaker at Franciscan and Mt. Veeder Winery under Larry Levin, where she honed and perfected the craft. Through her tenure at Franciscan, Sara worked abroad during the 2002 harvest season in Chile for Veramonte.Sara also had the honor to work with world renowned wine consultant Michel Rolland, where she gleaned from his experience and knowledge. She also played a role in the terroir-driven Bordeaux blends of Quintessa and Estancia from 1999 to 2002, where she was able to utilize her talent for blending and creating Meritage wines.As the keystone of Peju's wine team, Sara's commitment to excellencein the vineyard and in the cellar is extraordinary. In September 2007, Sara headed Peju's efforts to gain organic certification in the Rutherford Vineyard and she is overseeing the winery's sustainable farming efforts in the Persephone and Wappo Vineyardswith organic certification goals in the near future."The Peju vineyards are excellent properties," Sara explained. "The diversity is extremely exciting. I'm enjoying having a hand in maintaining and enhancing the quality reputation of the Peju wines."Over the past decade, Sara has traveled the world representing the Napa Valley as a speaker, guest panelist, trainer and wine educator. Sara currently lives in St. Helena with her Husband Matt and three sons. Her interests include travel, gourmet cooking, and wine education.

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Long Meadow Ranch Winemaker Chris Hall

Chris Hall - Long Meadow Ranch Winery

The ambassador of Long Meadow Ranch’s portfolio of family-run businesses, Chris is Executive Vice President - Long Meadow Ranch & Affiliates. Chris leads the sales, marketing and destination activities directed at achieving the family’s mission to produce and purvey world-class wine and food and to create the highest quality wine & food experiences that are richly flavorful, healthy, safe, and enjoyable.

Chris frequently takes to the road representing Long Meadow Ranch at international wine trade shows, food and wine festivals, and winemaker's dinners featuring Long Meadow Ranch products. The original architect of Long Meadow Ranch’s organic fruit and vegetable programs, Chris also serves an advisory role for farm production at Long Meadow Ranch - Rutherford Estate.

Chris is responsible for the restaurant wine program at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch which features Long Meadow Ranch Winery’s wines as well as domestic and international wines selected by Chris to complement the restaurant’s American farmhouse cooking.

From the very beginning, Chris has been a driving force in the development of the diversified farming activities at Long Meadow Ranch. With the establishment of his first egg-laying poultry flock in 1991, Chris began selling eggs to neighbors and friends. This venture was quickly augmented with the first production of vegetables from a garden he planted with his brother, Timothy. In the summer of 1991, Chris and Tim made their first appearance at the Napa Valley Farmers' Market in St. Helena, and Chris has been active in the business of the ranch ever since.

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The 2016 Somms Under Fire wines for the VIP tasting include:

Greeting Wine:

2014 PEJU Rose' of Syrah

First flight:

2014 Long Meadow Ranch Winery Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford, Napa Valley

2014 PEJU Chardonnay Napa Valley

2012 Louis M Martini Winery Cellar No. 254 Meritage Napa Valley

2013 Gallica Estate Vineyard Petite Sirah Napa Valley

Second Flight:

2012 Long Meadow Ranch Winery E.J. Church Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2012 Gallica Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville

2012 PEJU Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

2012 Louis Martini Winery Lot 1 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley