13th Anniversary Iron Sommelier preview

The Iron Sommelier event, now in its 13th anniversary, has always been a popular event showcasing Houston’s finest sommeliers as they compete for the title of Iron Sommelier. As we all know, 2020 is an unusual year, and that means it will bring a different experience for Iron Sommelier.

The city’s premier wine competition and fundraiser benefiting The Periwinkle Foundation, will take place on November 12. Each competing sommelier will select three wines which focus on a particular wine region, grape or style, and a panel of judges will rate wine choice, presentation, creativity, and knowledge of their wine selections.

To provide a safe and socially distanced competition this year, The Periwinkle Foundation will be offering both virtual and in-person opportunities for guests to experience. Individual Ticket holders will be provided with a tasting flight of 12 wines to enjoy at home and will have access to the virtual Iron Sommelier judging presentation and live presentations from guest winemakers. Underwriters will have access to live presentations and interactive conversation with the sommeliers in small private venues or from the comforts of home. All guests will have access to an exciting wine pull, auction, raffle, and Children’s Art sales.

Sommeliers competing in the 2020 competition include:

• Farrah Cauley– Sonoma Wine Bar
• Adele Corrigan– 13 celsius Wine Bar
• Matt Crawford– State of Grace
• Julie Dalton– Mastro’s Steakhouse
• Eric Estefano– Pappas Bros Steakhouse
• Marcus Gausepohl– Brennan’s
• Whitney Seng– The Coronado Club
• Lindsay Thomas– River Oaks Country Club
• Emily Tolbert– Savoir
• Evan Turner– Krasi Meze & Wine
• Justin Vann– Public Services Bar and Theodore Rex
• Jeffrey Young– Georgia James

The competing sommeliers will be judged by Craig Collins, MS, Antonio Gianola, and June Rodil, MS.

Iron Sommelier 2020 will take place on November 12 at 6:30 p.m. Individual ticket holders will be able to attend the event remotely via Zoom for $100 per ticket.

Underwriters: Backstreet Café – (1103 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77019) or Hugo’s – (1600 Westheimer, Houston, TX 77006)

For sponsorship and underwriting opportunities, including pricing on access to the Masters Tasting Room and Underwriter Tasting Room, contact Alice Rohrman, arohrman@periwinklefoundation.org. For more information, visit www.ironsommelier.org or www.periwinklefoundation.org.