Iron Sommelier Crowns New Champ at Wine-Fueled Rendezvous

Iron Sommelier Crowns New Champ at Wine-Fueled Rendezvous

Clayton and Kaylin Williams and Erika and Jonathan Hines

THE PERIWINKLE FOUNDATION hosted its annual Iron Sommelier event at The Post Oak Hotel, chaired by prominent vinophiles Sean Beck and Lara Lack.


The evening was attended by nearly 500 guests, who together raised more than $380,000 for the local organization, which hosts camps, arts and survivor programs for children who suffer from life-threatening illnesses like cancer, and their family members. Leukemia survivor Sara Agrawal spoke to the crowd about how the Periwinkle Foundation improved her quality of life; she looks forward to attending college next year.

About that wine: Thirteen sommeliers from restaurants and clubs all over Houston, including Georgia James, Le Jardinier, March and MAD, participated in the competition. Each selected three wines from a particular region, and a panel of three judges ranked their selections based on presentation, creativity and knowledge. Pappas Bros. Steakhouse somm Chris Havens was crowned the champion, and Rachel Van Til of The Clubs at Houston Oaks took home the People's Choice award.

The night also included an auction with unique items such as a private dinner hosted by Chris Shepherd, a 40-bottle lot of wine selected by Sean Beck, and various rare bourbons and whiskeys. Sip sip hooray!

Todd and Tammy Robertson and Julie and Doug Osburn

Amy and Tyson Kennedy

Suzanne and Bryan Monk

Becky Thomson, Paige Morgan, Guy Stout, Jim Veal

Andres Blanco of Le Jardinier

Steph Pierce and Jake Goodman

Sean Beck, Chris Havens, Lara Lack, Justin Goodman

Brandon and Patti Kerne, Natalie Leskiw

Britt and Megan Mitchell

Brandon and Suzette McDaniel

Carly Thibodeaux, and Mark and Amy Thibodeaux

Sarah Kaplan, Danielle Bodunrin, Louise Stephens

Madeline Clark and Sujith Murali

Rachel Van Til

Dax and Chelsea Booker

Darin and Gretchen Carroll

Rhonda and Paul Gerson

Zach Newman with Joy and Mike Rayburn

Corks for voting

Parties

Beef carpaccio atop La Griglia’s chic marble tables

IT'S 5 O’CLOCK on a Tuesday night and the newly imagined two-story La Griglia restaurant is already packed with cars at the valet, a line of guests at the door, and cocktail revelers filling the bar. The cognoscenti has reserved their favorite tables in the sophisticated dining room and in the dreamy Courtyard. It’s an outdoor space rivaling sunbaked patios in Tuscany — but this one sports heaters, a retractable roof, and its own bar, courtesy of owner Tilman Fertitta.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Life’s a beach in Santa Monica

DOGS WITH PONYTAILS. Someone dressed like Jimmy Buffet on psychedelics blaring music from a speaker hanging from his neck. Another gent taking a conference call on a ’90s-era headset at the skate park. These are all scenes from a leisurely hour in Venice Beach, where eclecticism and luxury intersect in true Los Angeles fashion.

Keep Reading Show less
People + Places