Top Woman Sommelier Emerges as Champion in Houston’s Iron Competition: Creative Wine Masters Face Off — and it’s a Mastro’s Winner

What: Periwinkle Foundation annual Iron Sommelier evening, presented ty AUTOSOL

Where: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa

PC Moment: With more than 600 supporters gathered to taste and examine the expertise of 14 of the city’s leading sommeliers, the evening raised a record $320,000 for Periwinkle’s camp, arts and survivor programs for children and their families affected by cancer.

Master sommeliers Craig Collins, Nick Hetzel and June Rodil judged the competing sommeliers on their wine choice, presentation, creativity and knowledge of their wine selections. While they were judging, guests were indulging, circling the ballroom tasting the wines and noshing on the paired party bites prepared by the competitors’ restaurants.

Mastro’s Julie Dalton won the title of Iron Sommelier 2018 for her “Drink, Gneiss Schist.” Taking home People’s Choice honors was Matt Crawford of State of Grace, who also was second runner up to Theodore Rex‘s Justin Vann, who took first runner up.

PC Seen: Chairs Sean Beck and John Clutterbuck, Anne Clutterbuck, Marilyn and Louis Mogas, Julie Cannoy and Doug Osburn, Keith Goldston, Cyndi and Steve Ford, Melinda and Matt Mogas, Randa and KC Weiner, and Drs. Jayne and Carlos Rivera.