At the heart of all Cochon555 events lies a culinary competition of five local chefs each presenting one whole, heritage breed pig to promote local family farming. Running in tandem for two years, is Cochon555’s “Somm Smackdown” competition featuring 50 of the nation’s top sommeliers each challenged with pairing the best wines from around the globe to the dishes prepared by the competing chefs. A panel of 24 celebrity judges select a winner.
  • EP00 – Trailer
  • EP01 – Romance
  • EP02 – Passion
  • EP03 – Pigs
  • EP04 – Pairing < my favorite in series
  • EP05 – Reflections < second favorite
  • EP06 – Palettes

WINNING WINES / SOMMS
2018 Cochon555 National Sommelier Smack-Down

NEW YORK
KRISTEN GOCELJAK – Little Park
Parusso, 2013 Langhe Nebbiolo Rosato Spumante – Piedmont, Italy

WINNING WINES / SOMMS
2017 Cochon555 National Sommelier Smack-Down

NEW YORK
NICOLE HAKLI – ACME
Under the Wire, 2013 “Alder Springs Vineyard,” Sparkling Chardonnay – Mendocino, California

MIAMI
KIRSTA GRAUBERGER – Market 17
Cleto Chiarli, NV “Centenario” Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro – Emilia-Romagna, Italy

CHICAGO
RACHEL DRIVER-SPECKAN – City Winery
Bodegas Los Bermejos, 2016 Listán Negro Rosado – Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain

ATLANTA
LINDA TORRES – Ritz-Carlton Buckhead
Lioco, 2016 Rose of Carignan “Indica” – Mendocino, California

MINNEAPOLIS
LAURIE HEFNER – Corner Table
Jean Paul Brun, NV “FRV100” Gamay Rose “Méthode Ancestrale” – Beaujolais, France

GRAND COCHON – Chicago
RACHEL DRIVER-SPECKEN – City Winery Chicago
Von Buhl, 2015 Sekt Riesling – Pfalz, Germany

AUSTIN
KEN FREEMAN – Italic/Elm Restaurant Group
Cleto Chiarli, 2015 Vecchia Modena Lambrusco – Emilia-Romagna, Italy

WASHINGTON DC
JULIE DAULTON – Wit & Wisdom (Baltimore)
Patrick-Bottex, Bugey-Cerdon – Savoie, France

HOUSTON
LINDSAY THOMAS – Pappas Steak House
Casa Castillo, 2014 ‘El Molar’ Garnacha – Jumilla, Spain

NAPA – Heritage Fire
ASHLEY BROSHIOUS – Charlie Palmer Steak Napa
Müller-Catoir, 2007 “Haardter” Riesling Kabinett Trocken – Pfaltz, Germany

SAN FRANCISCO
MARIE-LOUISE FRIEDLAN – State Bird Provisions
Château Yvonne, 2015 Saumur Chenin Blanc, Saumur – Loire, France

BOSTON
THERESA PAOPAO – Asta
Domaine Huet, 2012 Petillant Brut – Vouvray, Loire, France

DENVER
KELLY WOOLRIDGE – Table 6
Peter Jacob Kuhn, 2015 Trocken Riesling – Rheingau, Germany

LOS ANGELES
JARED HOOPER – Faith & Flower
Kruger-Rumpf, 2015 Scheurebe “Spätlese” – Nahe, Germany

NASHVILLE
JANELLE ENGLESON – City Winery: bring wine day of the event
Domaine de la Dentelle, NV Bugey-Cerdon Demi-Sec Rosé – Savoy, France

SEATTLE
HAYLEY BLACK – Tutta Bella
Cleto Chiarli – NV “Vecchia Modena” Lambrusco Sorbara DOC – Emilia Romagna, Italy

WINNING WINES / SOMMS
2016 Cochon555 National Sommelier Smack-Down

NEW YORK CITY
MISSY NEILL – Lure Fishbar, NYC
Henri Giraud, MV Grand Cru “Fut de Chene” Brut – Champagne, France

MINNEAPOLIS
ERIN ROLEK – The Bachelor Farmer, Minneapolis
Wagner Stempel, 2012 Riesling “Heerkretz” Grosses Gewachs – Rheinhessen, Germany

HOUSTON
DALE ELLINGTON – Kata Robata, Houston
Cantina Terlan-Kellerei, 2012 “Nova Domus” Riserva – Alto Adige, Italy

DENVER
ERIC DUTTON – Vesta Dripping Grill, Denver
Koehler-Ruprecht, 2009 Riesling ‘Kallstadter Saumagen’ Spatlese Trocken – Pfalz, Germany

LOS ANGELES
FAHARA ZAMORANO – Viviane/Avalon Hotel, Los Angeles
Ruinart, Brut Rose – Reims, Champagne, France

MIAMI
KIRSTA GRAUBERGER – Market 17, Miami
Patrick Bottex, NV Bugey Cerdon “La Cueille” – Savoie, France

SEATTLE
KRISTEN YOUNG – Bastille, Seattle
Domaine Weinbach, 2014 “Cuvee Theo” Riesling – Alsace, France

WASHINGTON DC
DAVE KAHLER – Range/VOLT, Washington DC
Clos Cibonne, 2014 Tibouren Rose Cru Classé – Côtes de Provence, France

CHICAGO
PHILIPP ANDRE – Oceanique/LVMH, Chicago
Bacio Divino Cellars, 2003 “Pazzo” – Napa, CA (9 liter)

SAN FRANCISCO
TARA PATRICK – Mourad, San Francisco
Larmandier-Bernier, NV Extra Brut Rose de Saignee “Premier Cru” – Champagne, France

ASPEN – Grand Cochon
NICK RANCONE – Corner Table, Minneapolis
Charly Thevenet, 2012 “Grain & Granit” Regnie – Beaujolais, France

ATLANTA – BBQ
MELISSA DAVIS – One Midtown Kitchen, Atlanta
Cave Caloz, 2013 Savagnin “Heida-Paien du Lien Les Bernunes – Vaiais, Switzerland

AUSTIN – BBQ
RAND EGBERT – Emmer & Rye, Austin
Cleto Chiarli, NV “Lambrusco del Fondatore” Sobara – Emilia-Romagna, Italy

SAN FRANCISCO – BBQ
TARA PATRICK – Mourad, SF
Copain, 2015 D2 (Pinot Noir/Pinot Gris) – Sonoma, CA