Napa Valley Vintners meets Fil-Am Club of American Canyon

A GATHERING of fine wine and Filipino cuisine at the house of Councilor David Oro. PHOTOS BY AMY GARIBAY

CALIFORNIA—Napa Valley known worldwide for its sprawling vineyards and wines and drawing praises from European wine connoisseurs is no stranger to Filipino Americans.

The population of American Canyon, gateway to Napa County, is one-third Filipino-American. Here, the Fil-Am Club thrives.

Napa Valley Vintners, on the other hand, covers the entire Napa Valley with its 539 members.

The two groups, sharing the common vision of community empowerment, collaborated with top public personality David Oro, the first Fil-Am city councilor of American Canyon, for a mixer-cum-pairing of Napa wines with Filipino cuisine at his home last week.

Now in its second annual get-together, Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) and Fil-Am Club, had “Cooked by Gil” prepare Filipino food—pancit, spring roll, lumpiang shanghai, sisig, lechon kawaii, and, of course, crispy lechon belly matched with Mang Tomas sauce.

NVV had seven Napa wineries pour Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sparkling Wine. The wineries were Nichelini Family Winery, Napa de Pro, Silver Oak, Dyer Vineyard, Kale Wines, Napa Jack Wine, Trois Noix and The Vice.

Napa de Pro, a new wine merchant or vintner, was represented by half of its Filipino owners, Mai and A be Marapao.

NVV is a nonprofit trade association with 539 wineries throughout Napa County as members. Its mission is to promote, protect and enhance Napa Valley and position it as the world’s premier wine region, among others.

NV Vintners did not disappoint. They poured generously with big smiles, and honest to goodness goodwill. NVV’s group was led by Rex Stults, head of its industry relations.

STAFF of Cooked by Gio, a popular food truck in Napa Valley, stand ready to serve its specialties. PHOTO BY AMY GARIBAY

Cooked by Gio is the first Filipino food truck in Napa County. It would return to its old spot on Soscol Avenue on October 3 (Tuesdays to Thursdays. For more info go to www.cookedbygio.com.

The Fil-Am Club was organized in October 2002 as a nonprofit and social club with at least 50 active members. It raises funds for charities in the Philippines and scholarships for graduating seniors in American Canyon.

THE home of Councilor David Oro ready to welcome guests. PHOTO BY AMY GARIBAY

Last year’s event was a big success. Raquel Solano, Philippine deputy consul general, was special guest. This year, she returned in force with Vice Consul Adrian Baccay and Consul Rowena Pangilinan-Daquipil.

Solano spoke about partnering and collaboration to promote the wellbeing of Filipino-Americans, the labor force, Napa wine and Filipino culture and cuisine.

She also spoke about the sense of community, solidarity, oneness, camaraderie, cooperation among Filipinos and praised the event’s hosts—David Oro and wife Patricia—for showing “the fine tradition of Filipino culture and hospitality.”

The event, she said, has potential for tourism, trade and investments through cultural exchanges and people-to-people contact.

TSB