Seasonal Pasta Perfection: Sous Chef Will Saladin’s Handmade Creations at the Enoteca Tasting Salon
If you’ve enjoyed our Cima Tasting Experience at the Clif Family Enoteca Tasting Salon in Napa Valley, you know that Sous Chef Will Saladin’s handmade seasonal pasta is one of the many highlights. Using the freshest ingredients, including organic produce from the Clif Family Farm, his seasonal pasta dishes are just one of the thoughtfully curated pairings that complement our Oak Knoll and Howell Mountain estate wines.
We sat down with Chef Will to learn more about his passion for pasta, his inspiration from seasonal ingredients, and how he crafts dishes to complement our wines. Here’s what he had to say:
A Lifelong Passion for Pasta
Chef Will’s love for Italian cuisine began in his grandmother’s kitchen. His Nonna Diane Wilson sparked his passion for cooking, and his pasta-making skills were refined under Michelin-starred Chef Stefano Masanti.“I studied his pasta-making skills for six years during my time at V. Sattui. He taught me just about everything I know about pasta.”
Farm-to-Table Inspiration
Chef Will takes inspiration from the Clif Family Farm, allowing each season’s harvest to shape his pasta dishes. By using farm-fresh ingredients, he ensures each dish is vibrant and flavorful. One standout creation is Raviolo al Uovo, featured in our 10 a.m. Cima Estate tastings. This dish showcases our Clif Family Farm-fresh hen eggs, with a golden, runny yolk inside a delicate raviolo filled with Clif Family Farm spinach and ricotta. To enhance the flavors, he adds a touch of bacon to the sauce that brings out a satisfying brunch-inspired richness.“Using fresh ingredients from the Clif Family Farm each week and turning them into something delicious, bright, and vibrant to pair with our wines is a dream. I keep the flavors simple but full-bodied to complement the best wines we offer.”
Perfect Pasta Pairings for Cabernet
Pairing pasta with bold Cabernet Sauvignon requires balance. At the Enoteca Tasting Salon, we feature Clif Family estate wines from our Oak Knoll and Howell Mountain Vineyards. These structured, expressive Cabernets pair beautifully with Chef Will’s handcrafted pasta. His go-to dish? Agnolotti del Plin, a classic from Italy’s Piedmont region, where his great-grandparents emigrated from.“This pasta holds just the right amount of intense, seasonal filling. I cook it slightly al dente, as my ancestors did, to create a perfect chew that stands up to our estate Cabernets.”
- Winter: Roasted butternut squash, adding warmth and depth
- Spring: Charred snow peas, asparagus, pistachios, and a hint of lemon for brightness
- Summer: Peak-season organic tomatoes, bursting with freshness
- Fall: Earthy mushrooms or rich, braised beef for a hearty, comforting bite
Experience Handmade Pasta in Napa Valley
Each season brings new flavors to explore, and the Cima Tasting Experience showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of pairings that highlight the best of our Oak Knoll and Howell Mountain estate wines. Chef Will’s seasonal pasta dishes, crafted with ingredients from the Clif Family Farm, are just one of the many delicious components that bring this experience to life. Join us at the Clif Family Enoteca Tasting Salon to discover how each element comes together for an unforgettable tasting.
