Hall Winery Cabernet Cookoff Raises Thousands for Charity

Ca' Momi Pizza at Hall Winery Cabernet Cookoff
Ca’ Momi Pizza at Hall Winery Cabernet Cookoff

Is there anything better than indulging in good food and wine out in the fresh open air under the warm California sun? I can’t think of too many things, but one situation that could definitely top that off would be if all of the above were going to benefit those in need. So, that’s exactly what happened on a recent luminous Sunday afternoon in the picturesque Napa Valley wine country when tens of thousands of dollars were raised to help local charities. It was a well-deserved reason for 600 attendees to clink their wine glasses.

Hall Winery Cabernet Cookoff

The fifth annual HALL Cabernet Cookoff featured 15 All-Star San Francisco and Napa Valley-based Chef teams who were presented a task to create a personal dish to pair with 2011 HALL Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and compete for a local charity of their choice. Although it was a “competition”, the wine and food-filled affair was fun, friendly and indeed festive.

Hall Winery Tasting Room

This year’s event marked the first at HALL St. Helena’s new tasting room. The bright, naturally-lit, contemporary space was open throughout the Cabernet Cookoff, allowing guests to taste the entire portfolio of HALL Wines. Four recently released vintages were served including 2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2013 Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc, and 2011 “Jack’s Masterpiece” Cabernet Sauvignon. Proceeds from wine sales as well as HALL merchandise benefitted the Cabernet Cookoff as well.

Hall is more than a winery, it's an art gallery.
Hall is more than a winery, it’s an art gallery.

Since inception, the Cabernet Cookoff has raised $75,000 for charities in and around the Bay Area. The 2013 HALL Cabernet Cookoff drew more than 480 culinary and wine lovers and raised $30,000 for the top four winning team’s sponsored charities.

Hall Winery Cookoff - One Market
Team One Market at Hall Cabernet Cookoff

San Francisco Chef Mark Dommen from One Market restaurant took the coveted ‘Judge’s Choice’ first place for his charity, Napa Hospice & Adult Day Service, with his Potato Gnocchi dish. The ‘People’s Choice’ winner was a dish of Crispy Oxtail Tacos by Chef Daniel Capra of Paula Le Duc Catering. Their charity partner was the St. Helena Hospital Foundation.

Hall Winery Cabernet Cookoff
Judges and Winners at Hall Cabernet Cookoff

“The Cabernet Cookoff is a fun way to help our community. Everyone involved with this event – including our generous sponsors,  the incredible Bay Area chef teams, enthusiastic non-profit organizations and the entire HALL staff – all donated their time, joining forces to create a spectacular day full of opportunities learn about various philanthropic missions. Today, everyone came out a winner.” –  Kathryn Hall 

Thirsty at Hall Winery
Come Thirsty to Hall Winery

See all who participated by visiting the Chefs teams’ page on the Cabernet Cookoff website for a complete list of winners, participants, and featured non-profit organizations.

Learn more about HALL Winery and the HALL Cabernet Cookoff at hallwines.com

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7 Comments

  1. 13/06/2014 / 9:58 am

    #CabernetCookoff was a wonderful experience of food, wine and charity. Our fans from around the Bay Area helped us achieve our goal of supporting many non-profit organizations that were dear to the hearts of the competing Chefs. You captured some great moments, thanks so much for sharing.
    Mark Buckley, Marketing Coordinator, HALL & WALT Wines

  2. Wine lover
    13/06/2014 / 11:02 am

    Nice write up! Isn’t Hall the place with the giant bunny out front? I need to stop by there next time I’m in the area.

  3. 13/06/2014 / 11:19 am

    Hi Wine Lover, You are correct. We have 35 ft Polished Stainless Steel Art Sculpture of “Bunny Foo Foo” by artist, Lawrence Argent that leaps into our vineyards at the entrance to HALL St. Helena. See his Artist Bio page and time lapse Video of the installation here > http://www.hallwines.com/art-lawrence-argent

  4. 13/06/2014 / 3:51 pm

    Hi Mark! Thank you so much for putting on such a wonderful and inspiring event at your gorgeous winery. Cheers, Mika

  5. 13/06/2014 / 3:53 pm

    Yes, be sure to make a HALL visit. I plan on doing so again just to view the wonderful art pieces while trying some more of their vino.

  6. Stacia
    14/06/2014 / 7:01 am

    This sounds like my kind of event. I’ll be going to the 6th annual for sure.

  7. 20/01/2015 / 2:22 pm

    This is an awesome event! I will definitely make sure that I go to the next! Hall Winery is one of my favorites! Every time I visit the Napa Valley I make sure to visit Hall, Bennett Lane Winery and Peju. Since I live in a different state I order my wine online from their websites http://www.bennettlane.com

    I need to see if Hall has an email newsletter that I can signup for same with Bennett Lane Winery so I don’t miss the next events.
    Excellent page thank you for the article. 🙂

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