On Sunday night I had the chance to attend one of the amazing Hill & Holler events celebrating Virginia Cider Week. My friend Genevieve and her husband Lane told me they had tickets the week before and since Genevieve and I had gone to a previous Hill & Holler event together, they invited me to join them. I bought a $65 ticket from my phone on the spot and counted down the days.
Hill & Holler is a farm dinner event company that puts on seasonal dinners in creative ways featuring local food and drink. This event was held at the new Meriwether Springs Vineyard. Named after the explorer Meriwether Lewis, the vineyard sits on his original estate. Talk about history!
In celebration of Cider Week Virginia (November 15-24), Sunday’s dinner was a cocktail party with multiple stations of cider tastings and food served on carts.
We enjoyed many tastes of cider – from super dry to tart to slightly sweet to flat.
There were a few stations with cheese from the new cheese shop Flora and our new butcher, JM Stock Provisions. The Caveman blue cheese was out of this world!
I love the surprise of a food cart rolling out with something new!
The idea to put each dish’s description on a necklace was brilliant!
The dishes were all fantastic –
Beef Carpaccio with oyster mushrooms
Brussels sprouts with orange peel, aioli and pom –
Lobster roll with handmade salt and vinegar chips –
Roasted Rock Barn pork papusas with avocado and pickled chili
The dessert carts were especially exciting!
A lemon olive oil cake with crème fraiche
And my favorite dish of the evening – a salted caramel apple pie! The crust chips were like toffee.
Happy Cider Week to all and to all a good night!
Becki @ Bites 'n Brews says
I want all of it. I miss those east coast lobsta rolls!
Jackie says
I adore hard ciders! I need to find something like this in Maryland!
Amelia says
What a fun evening! Everything sounds fabulous and looks like you had a wonderful time. It also appears that you got your moneys worth! 🙂
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
What a beautiful building! I feel like there are so many gorgeous old homes in Charlottesville, I’ve only been once when I went to Foxfield in college. I’ve actually applied to a few jobs based out of Charlottesville, apparently there are a few environmental organizations there!
mary @ minutes per mile says
what an awesome event! i’m trying to imagine what my “food necklace” recipe would say if i could pick one thing. probably a recipe for a delicious panini?!
Melissa says
This looks like a fun event!
laura says
Ack. Pupusas. I’d only wear a necklace with food on it if I spell checked it first 🙂
KathEats says
I was surprised they would get that wrong, and while it seems pupusa is the correct spelling, I’m seeling papusa used a lot too. {Like here.} I had never heard of the dish so I just used what they did.
Kristi says
I was also going to point this out! I lived in Central America for several years and it’s definitely pupusa. They are the best things ever and I’m so sad I can’t find authentic ones in my area. You should ask your friend from El Salvador to make you some!
Laura says
Sounds like fun! I love fall ciders! Not much of a beer drinker but I’m always up for a cider.
http://www.sneakersandspatulas.com/2013/11/20/easy-crockpot-applesauce-recipe/
[email protected] says
I love this event! It’s a party I would have loved to have attended. Everyone is also dressed so cute! The food looks delish. As always great pictures!
Kelly says
We have a pupuseria close to our neighborhood and they also call them pupusas.
[email protected] says
The little mini dishes are so cute! Love getting such a variety of food tasters when I’m out, it’s what it’s all about! You’ve amazing skills capturing such gorgeous pics!
Jess says
Looks like a fun event! Especially the lobster roll and home made chips. Mmmmm. My husband and I are planning to attend the Cider Fest at Castle Hill on Saturday, can’t wait!!
robin says
How fun this looks!
Kate @ Trekking Kate says
Wow! The salted caramel apple pie looks to die for, and I bet tasted even better!
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
What a beautiful property — and a fun event! All of the food looks delicious!
lainie says
Your dress!! Love it… May I ask where you found it?
KathEats says
Thanks at Belk
Alex @ Kenzie Life says
I squealed when I saw this post because the way you seem to feel about beer is the way I feel about cider! I’m a total cider enthusiast since I’m not much of a beer fan so it was so much fun to read about this event! The food looks amazing and the setting looks gorgeous as well. Do you know if they do these types of events around the country? I’m sure they must have something similar but I wouldn’t have any idea where to start looking!
Livi says
how delicious!! that looks like such a fun evening!
Larbs says
I need to go to one of these events!!
Charise says
Oh man, every single one of those dishes looks and sounds ridiculously delicious.