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The 14th annual food & wine competition paired Napa Valley wineries & aspiring chefs from The Culinary Institute of America. See 25 photos.

NAPA VALLEY, CA—More than 200 people attended Appellation St. Helena’s 14th Annual bASH event Saturday at The Culinary Institute of America Greystone in St. Helena— the birthplace of Napa Valley's commercial wine industry.

During the wine and food pairing competition, wines from 19 Appellation St. Helena—ASH—members were paired with savory bites prepared by teams of rising star students at the CIA. The entries are judged by professional chefs including Ken Frank.

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This year's participating wineries were Anomaly Vineyards, Calafia Wines, Chase Cellars, CourAvant, Hall Wines, Mending Wall, Monticello Vineyards, Saint Helena Winery, Raymond Vineyards, Shibumi Knoll Vineyards, Spottswoode Estate Vineyard & Winery, Taplin Cellars, The Crane Assembly, Vineyard 29, Young Inglewood, Salvestrin, AXR Napa Valley, Titus Vineyards and Varozza Vineyards.

A highlight of the event is the presentation of meticulously prepared food bites using items such as edible flowers, smoke (from dry ice!) and deep spoons with long handles.

CIA chef Lars Kronmark founded the event in 2012, and this was his final bASH.

"Our students look forward to bASH every year," said Chef Daniel Kedan, assistant professor of Culinary Arts, CIA. "It is an amazing opportunity for them to challenge themselves, build relationships, network and just have some fun. This year was one of the best yet."

Guests vote for their favorite pairings to decide who wins the popular vote.

"This annual event featuring St. Helena area wines and tomorrow's star chefs draws guests from all over the U.S. as well as neighbors from our own community," said Lesley Russell, an Appellation St. Helena board member and general manager of Saint Helena Winery. "It's one of the most entertaining, delicious and inspiring wine and food events I've experienced. The CIA students are incredible to work with."

First place: Young Inglewood, Braised Oxtail with Curtido and Tomato Caviar, prepared by Adriel Maravilla (hometown Pinole, CA), Brenda Mendina Ruiz (John’s Creek, GA) and Emma Rosinski (Gig Harbor, WA). The wine was a 2012 Young Inglewood Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.

Second place: Hall Wines, Crimson Conejo, prepared by Valeria Leon (Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico), Sophia Faucett (Las Vegas, NV) and Jose Avila (San Diego, CA). The wine was a Hall Winery’s 2020 Coeur.

Third place: Monticello Vineyards, Prime Truffle Toast, prepared by Matthew Reyes (Bremerton, WA), Ana Jimenez-Nava (Burlington, WA) and Ayden O’Brien (Ft. Collins, CO). The wine was a Monticello Vineyards, 2009 Yewell St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon.

First place: Spottswoode Estate, Braised Lamb Arancini, prepared by Hayden James (Santa Ana, CA), Jed Anezil (Petaluma, CA) and Leah Madrigal (Sacramento, CA). The wine was a Spottswoode Estate 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon.

Second place: Raymond Vineyards, Tuna Hand Roll, prepared by Anabel Lallouz (Miami, FL), Syriana Davis (Tacoma, WA) and Hannah Howard (Beavercreek, OR). The wine was a Raymond Vineyards, 2023 Small Lot Sauvignon Blanc.

Third place: Titus Vineyards, Steak and Sunchoke Skewer, prepared by Alexys Milburn (Folsom, CA), Rosalie Sackett (Benicia, CA) and Damariye Daniels (Fairfield, CA). The wine was a Titus 2022, Cabernet Franc.

Napa Valley's commercial wine industry began in St. Helena with the founding of Dr. Crane's cellar in 1859, David Fulton’s in 1860, and Charles Krug’s in 1861. The St. Helena American Viticultural Area, or appellation, was officially approved in 1995. In 2004, the vintners who worked together to get the AVA approved established a group to promote the growing region, today called Appellation St. Helena. The group focuses on promoting the quality of grapes grown and wines produced in the St. Helena AVA.

Appellation St. Helena is comprised of roughly 12,000 acres, of which approximately 6,800 are planted to grapes—more than any other AVA in the Napa Valley. Over 400 different vineyards are located within the appellation. The Association has 64 members.

The boundaries form an hourglass shape, with the middle section representing the narrowest width in the Napa Valley—where the Mayacamas and Vaca mountain ranges nearly meet. The AVA is a mosaic of alluvial fans and 21 different soil types. The soils are created from centuries of erosion created by run-off from mountain hillsides and the Napa River and its ancient tributaries.

Grape-growing in the St. Helena appellation dates back to the Mexican land grants in the 1840s when General Vallejo gave Edward Bale a wedding gift of property. Bale and his bride promptly planted a vineyard on their property. By 1880, over 100 people were making wine in St. Helena. While many grapes excel in St. Helena, the most frequently cultivated are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Zinfandel and Sauvignon Blanc.

Board members are Torey Battuello, Julia Jinks, Myriah Mutrux, Eric Risch, Lesley Keffer Russell, Katie Simpson, Sylvia Taplin and Dave Yewell.

"I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I look forward to continuing to visit St. Helena," Mitts said.

Maggie Fusek, Patch Staff

ST. HELENA, CA—The assistant city manager of St. Helena is leaving for the same role at the city of Healdsburg.

The city of St. Helena made an announcement Thursday about the departure of April Mitts, who served with "dedication and distinction for 10.5 years."

Mitts started as finance director in November 2014, advanced to administrative services director in June 2021, and was appointed to the position of assistant city manager in June 2022.

During her tenure, city officials said, Mitts was "instrumental in numerous important projects and initiatives that significantly contributed to improving the quality of life for residents and ensuring that all city staff have the training, support and organizational leadership they need to succeed in their roles."

Her leadership in financial management, administrative services and city operations has been "exemplary, earning her the respect and admiration of colleagues and community members alike," city officials said.

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“Dr. Mitts’ strategic thinking, can-do attitude, and unmatched work ethic have greatly benefited our community,” said Mayor Paul Dohring. “She has been a key player in many of our initiatives, and her departure is a significant loss for St. Helena. Having worked with April for over 10 years, I know first-hand that she has been an invaluable member of our City’s leadership team. On behalf of our community, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to April for her many years of dedicated, loyal service to our City and wish her success in her new position.”

City Manager Anil Comelo said Mitts has been a vital member of the team, "contributing significantly to the effectiveness of staff and externally in her work with the City’s boards and commissions."

"Her leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact, and while we are sad to see her go, we wish her all the best in her new role," Conilo said. "Her ability to navigate the complexities of local government, collaborate with the community, and drive positive change has been invaluable, and she will be greatly missed."

Mitts' resignation from St. Helena is effective April 23.

“It has been an honor to serve the residents and staff of City of St. Helena for over a decade,” Mitts said. “I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have had here, and I look forward to bringing my knowledge and passion to the City of Healdsburg. I will always cherish my time in City of St. Helena and the relationships I have built. The support and collaboration from my colleagues and the many residents I have worked with informally and on various committees has been invaluable. I am proud of what we have accomplished together, and I look forward to continuing to visit St. Helena, walking along Main Street and enjoying some of my favorite shops, restaurants, and tasting rooms.”