SOLEDAD — After the huge success of its inaugural Chowder Cook-Off last summer, CRU Winery is bringing back its Chowder Cook-Off contest and hunt for the best chowder recipe in California. Now through Aug. 19, California residents can submit their recipe for a chance to win.
The Chowder Cook-Off is a tribute to the winery’s Central Coast wines and tasting room located in Monterey County’s Santa Lucia Highlands. Recipes will be judged on creativity, overall quality and how well the recipes pair with the variety of CRU Winery’s single vineyard Chardonnays.
From the recipes submitted, the winery will select two runners-up who will receive a two-night stay in Monterey. During their trip, the runners-up will participate in the Chowder Cook-Off at CRU Winery’s Santa Lucia Highlands Tasting Room in Soledad. At the event, they will prepare their recipe for a panel of judges who will crown the Chowder Cook-Off Champion.
CRU Winery handpicked the panel of judges for the 2025 Chowder Cook-Off to bring in local experts on wine, food and Monterey County. Returning as a judge this year is Laura Ness, wine columnist, journalist and wine competition judge. She will be joined by Monterey expert wine blogger Christy of @christyonthevine and past mayor of Soledad, Fred Ledesma.
The Chowder Cook-Off event is Saturday, Oct. 4, and is open to the public. Attendees will get to watch the cook-off and have a chance to try the final chowder recipes paired with CRU wines. In addition, attendees will enjoy live music, artisan bites and sip CRU Winery’s new release wines.
For those that can’t attend the event in person but still want to enjoy excellent chowder and Chardonnay, CRU Winery has created a chowder trail highlighting various restaurants throughout the state of California. The chowder trail can be accessed at cruwinery.com/contest/.
“I love pairing chowder with our Chardonnays. The versatility of chowder draws out the layers of flavor in the wine,” said CRU Winery winemaker Jose Reyes. “With the Chowder Cook-Off contest, we are excited to introduce wine lovers to new chowder recipes that perfectly complement our variety of Chardonnays. We can’t wait to try the final recipes and celebrate at the Chowder Cook-Off in October.”
California residents can enter the CRU Winery Chowder Cook-Off at cruwinery.com/contest/. The Chowder Cook-Off event is Oct. 4 at the CRU Winery Santa Lucia Highlands tasting room in Soledad and open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at cruwinery.com.
