HALL Wines’ Cabernet Cook-Off: Charity Runs Deep in the Napa Valley
The Napa Valley is an agricultural region, with many different types of soil running through the area (50 of the known 100+ found in the world). Mountains surround this beautiful valley, rising as high 2200 feet. Nothing, though, is as inspiring as the charitable heart that runs deep through the residents of this region. Charity is one of the things that Napa Valley does so well. Winery owners and winemakers all show their heart with the many events put on throughout the year to help take care of their citizens.
The HALL Cabernet Cook-Off is a great example of this charitable heart. The theme of the day was to “pop a cork and grab a fork.” There were 13 chef teams, each representing a different charity and vying for your and the judges’ votes The challenge: What food paired best with the 2013 HALL Napa Valley Cabernet? What a great question! It really required some drinking and eating to cast an educated vote!
This was a magnificent setting with a glorious sun-filled day. HALL Winery also hosted last year’s Auction Napa Valley (the Valley’s biggest charity event), which was a beautiful location for this event. HALL has lovely gardens, a large courtyard, and bocce ball courts – all sitting against the east side of Napa Valley with gorgeous view of the Mayacamas Mountains.
We started the day at the Cabernet Cook-Off with a Sauvignon Blanc – cool, crisp and full of acidity to set up your palate for the ensuing delightful tastes from the chefs and restaurants participating. The challenge again was which bite paired best with the HALL 2013 Cabernet, a wine from the famous 2013 vintage. This wine is structured, well-balanced, and plush on the palate.
The tasty bites ranged from pasta to shrimp to lamb to ribs – must I go on? The wild boar bite from the Sacramento Experience & Food Literacy Team was my favorite. The offering was explosive and dynamic with spice and rich meat flavors that paired beautifully with the Cabernet.
The wines of HALL are rich and approachable, and I highly recommend a visit. You don’t need an appointment, so you can step in and step up to taste through their current offerings and see what pleases your palate best. They’re located on Highway 29, just south of Saint Helena.
HALL is known for its notable art pieces, such as the beautiful big silver rabbit at its entrance. Art adorns the property, and it a beautiful setting. Yet nothing is as big as the heart for the fun and charitable work they do.
Enjoy!
