Houston’s Own Iron Sommelier is Crowned
River Oaks Underdog Edges Out the Trendy Greek God
By Jailyn Marcel //
Photography Dave Rossman
What: The Periwinkle Foundation’s Iron Sommelier 2016
Where: Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa
PC Moment: More than 600 wine enthusiasts flocked to the Houstonian for this year’s Iron Sommelier competition benefitting the Periwinkle Foundation. Presented by AutoSol, the evening showcased 14 of Houston’s top sommeliers who flexed their skills for three distinguished judges: master sommelier Brian Cronin (Palm Bay International, New York City), Liz Dowty (European Cellars, New Orleans), and Antonio Gianola (Houston Wine Merchant).
River Oaks Country Club’s Christian Varas emerged victorious, while Helen Greek Food & Wine‘s Evan Turner took home the first runner-up prize. Turner won the top prize in Iron Sommelier last year — and his restaurant has won just about everything (Helen earned James Beard semifinalist honors in the Best New Restaurant category earlier this year).
The night raised $280,000, which will help fund Periwinkle’s camps and art initiatives for youth affected by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Who: Chairs Sean Beck and John Clutterbuck, Anne Clutterbuck, Underbelly’s Chris Shepherd, Julie Cannoy, Doug Osburn, Lisa and Mark Cox, Michael Jackson, Collin LaFavers, Eric and Dr. Erin Otness, Dale Robertson, Mike and Nancy Syzdek
Mother's Day Gifts
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Trending
- Six Million Dollar-Plus Fundraisers In 10 Days Show Houston’s Unmatched Party Power — With a 3.8 Million Headliner
- Why Tyus Thomas Could Be a Sneaky Good Talent Add For Kelvin Sampson’s Houston Program — An Underdog, Injury-Dismissed Small Guard Brings Fight
- Dallas’ 15 Best Steakhouses
- Kelvin Sampson Gets Real On NIL, UH Pride, This Season’s Remade Roster and New Rules — A Hall of Fame Worthy Coach Unplugged
- Houston Cancer Survivors Come Together In River Oaks For a Touching Afternoon Of Candle Lighting With CanCare
_md.jpg)
_md.jpg)
_md.jpg)
_md.jpg)
