Iron Sommelier 2023

Sean Beck, Chris Havens; Lara Lack, Justin Goodman

Iron Sommelier 2023 presented by AUTOSOL took place on November 9th. The annual wine competition and wine tasting event benefited the Periwinkle Foundation. This year’s Iron Sommelier was Chris Havens of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.

Thirteen of Houston’s top sommeliers in the city’s premier wine tasting and competition benefiting The Periwinkle Foundation participated in the competition. Each competing sommelier selected three wines which focused on a particular wine region, grape or style, and a panel of judges rated wine choice, presentation, creativity, and knowledge of their wine selections.

Sommeliers competing in the 2023 competition included:

Andres Blanco, Le Jardinier
Daisy Durham, Doris Metropolitan
Chris Havens, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse
Coleman Mason, MAD
Matthew McLaughlin, Guard and Grace
Zach Newman. Georgia James
Corey Peterson, Bludorn
Joshua Ponthieux, Mastros
Meagan Van Til, AOC Selections
Rachel Van Til, Houston Oaks Country Club
Dennis Vawter, River Oaks Country Club
Cody Vela, March
Adele Corrigan Wade, 13 celsius wine bar

The competing sommeliers were judged by: Mark Rashap – Broadbent Selections, Joseph Samso – Raventos Winery, and Alison Smith Story – Smith Story Wine Cellars.

More than 450 Houston wine aficionados raised over $380,000 for Periwinkle’s Camps, Arts, and Survivor programs for children, teens, and their families challenged by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. A special moment during the presentations was when Periwinkle Executive Director Doug Suggitt introduced 18-year-old leukemia survivor Sara Agrawal. She spoke about her cancer journey and how Periwinkle has positively impacted her life, including attending camps and making life-long friends. She is now looking forward to attending college.

In addition to bringing together sommeliers from the top restaurants in Houston, four Master Sommeliers presented rare, premium wines to underwriters in the Masters Tasting Room.